Congrats! It looks great.

Thank you.

And thank you everyone for help and input. I did this entire conversion (pretty much with same plan but possible brifters) on this thread. It would have been MUCH more expensive and probably more mechanically frustrating. This was pretty straight forward and the fact that I can utilize friction mode until I go to SIS is a HUGE plus.

JensonUSA.com was great and I had my stuff before christmas even though I ordered it on the 21st at 1 in the morning or something. Good stuff. If you guys wanna see any more pictures, let me know. I literally just finished this about an hour ago. I can't wait to take it out on first big tour this year.

-X

Glad to hear that it works in friction mode. It all depends on how much extra play they put it in. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Don't worry, I will be getting a shimano RD. Probably when I change out the cassette (worn) chain, and maybe a chain ring or two. I really like the gearing on the bike for touring as it is tried and tested, which is why I had no quarrels about keeping the shifters the way they are.