First, I'm a newbie to this forum; been lurking about for about a month. To date, this is my second post. I'm a 52-year-old "retired" road cyclist, having ridden on the roads (just recreational/fitness stuff) for about 20 years. Now, I'm strictly indoor...stationary cycling only for me (lots of reasons).

Recently, however, after about 12 years of "retirement", I've thought about getting a bike again. So, I wandered into one of the many LBSs in the San Diego area and started looking around.

First thing I noticed: No SHIFTERS! Upon further review, I noticed that, yep, there were front and rear derailleurs...but no shifters on the down tube. What's up with that, I thought? Poking around still futher, I also noticed some little lever-like thingys...on the brake levers??? And the breaks themselves... moved side to side**********!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, just how DO you shift? (I was too embarassed to ask the sales person. )

When I rode, my hands were on the brake hoods a LOT; I'd say 70-80% of the time. Since it seems the shifters have now been moved to - of all places! - the brake levers, I would think that sqeezing hard on the brakes the wrong way (i.e., applying some inward pressure)...might cause the gears to shift (when you don't want them to)??!! And what are those little lever-like thingys supposed to be for? I noticed that they, too, were moveable. So, what are you telling me, you now need need two hands to shift!!!???

This is progress??? It sure seemed like it was a lot easier - and safer! - in my day.

P.S. Please register the tongue-in-cheek nature of this thread. However, my question is a serious one; I've never been on a bike where the shift levers were NOT located on the down tube.