I like the low-mid level also. What is most amusing to me is rebuilding 80's steel road/sport touring frames with flat bars, triple cranks and 7 speed rapidfire shifters. You now have a time tested "retro hybrid" with components that will out last those on a new bike in the same price range. In the early to mid 90's, before mass production had gotten as bad as it has, Shimano had much of their low-mid mountain shifter/levers and derailleurs made in japan. Now every new flat bar bike under $500-$600 comes with plastic gripshift rubbish.