How many seconds does one save in a two hour race using Sti or Ergo shift-in-the-drops, over downtube shifting? I know racers that say that there is no comparison... Modern shifting methods are way superior, especially for Criteriums where optimal shifts are actually done in the turn, rather than the straight a way. I would have to agree that for certain types of racing, drop shifting is a big plus. The point is that for any other kind of racing, downtube shifting is almost as good or just as good when one has the hang of it. For centuries and recreational riding and getting in shape rides and social rides and touring and long races over country terrain, downtube shifting is not a disadvantage. The local track trainer in South Florida, who accompanies the team to out of the country races, and has a long history in the business, says that the Sti system was originally sold to Shimano by Campagnolo because the Italians thought the system was too finicky, delicate, and prone to loosing braking when one looses shifting. The Campy system (ergo) is more intuitive, less delicate and seperates braking and shifting. The old downtube, system, is almost completely immune to shifting failure, is protected from damage by its protected position mid-frame, is intuitive, less finicky and leaves the braking function as a stronger system that can be from a different manufacturer. In all my years using the traditional downtube system, I have found that the only failures occur when the deraileur itself fails. The levers always can be fixed on the road in the rare event that something minor does occur. Tell me if I am wrong, but Sti is very failure prone, and can be an excercise in frustration with minor cable stretch, or component wear. Is Sti functionality worth the additional headaches? My rule is that if an older more reliable, more classic system exists, I will gravitate to it as long as the functionality quotient is not vastly different. In the case of the classic bike versus the ultra modern bike, the classic wins in all areas other than modern chain lube and clipless pedals. I offer this opinion in all humbleness. Garth