>From: "Moos, Jerry" <jmoos@urc.com>
>Shifters and Derailleurs: Modern marketing hype at its worst. This year's
>Campy is not only incompatible with Shimano, but also with last year's
>Campy. Can you say "planned obsolesence"? No compatibility, no
>interchangeability, damn few replacement parts. The user must buy a new
>drivetrain when one part wears out - marketing Nirvana. Easier to shift
>for
>an absolute novice, but hardly worth the tradeoffs. Old is better.
I commute by bike. In traffic, you want your hands covering the brakes at all times. Apart from indicating. In this case, you want (in my minor opine)
1) Down tube shifts 2) Bar End shifters 3) STI/Ergo 4) Fixed - my nirvana
Ignoring "city bikes" or roadified MTB (as off topic and unsuitable for 100mile a week fast commutes) you're left with a road bike.
If you're not so worried about historical accuracy, for commuting, a steel frame, fat tyres (27 x 1 1/4" or 700Cx32 or 38) and fixed or STI make urban/suburban commuting a little less nasty.
My Fixed Carlton (Corsair, I think) fits my bill nicely. YMMV! Gareth Evans Four Seasons In One day Cambridge.