You need to decide on steel or carbon fiber. There’s just no way carbon fiber can last as long as steel. However, it’s amazingly light and gives a great ride. I’m conservative, although I did make an exception and I’m trying a carbon fiber fork. We’ll see what happens.

I’m not a fan of reading Bicycling articles when it comes to understanding how a bike rides. It’s kind of like wine reviews…a hint of raspberry, blackberry and tannin. Right.

I have to say, I’m looking forward to being able to shift while standing and have that in-between gear that I’m always yearning for. And maybe a geometry that is more forgiving to my aging body.

Can you suggest any good books, magazines, web sites, and so on to educate me on the process of the bike purchase? I’d like to do a little homework before hitting the bike shops, such as Veloro which you reviewed. A friend of ours suggested that one as well.

I bought a steel-hardened 6spd rear axle from Cupertino Bicycles and have not had any breaks since. The Campy 6spd axles broke on me every few years and I’m not heavy.

My biggest gripe is index-shifting. Way too much effort goes into shifting technology. Electronic shifting: Give me a break.

Dura Ace 7400 (and 7402) cranks are still readily available, as are the matching BB7400 bottom brackets. I like DA7700 (9sp) drivetrain parts (still readily available on eBay, etc.) and 7700 was the first DA group to become compatible with the rest of Shimano’s spacing. I’m sure the Ultegra 6700 parts would be a great choice, too.

I’ve been using freehubs for a long time–they’re a great improvement, IMHO, but I’m starting to question the durability of the 8-speed (same as 9 and 10) spacing, as my rear wheel with DA7700 hub is clicking and popping when I stand–this just should not happen.

I am starting to agree with Jobst that there is just not enough margin left (too much dish) and am going back to 7-speed freehubs. This will let me run 8 of 9 (or 9 of 10) so I can still use modern indexed cassettes with indexing (if desired) but yield a considerably stronger rear wheel. I find that I can shift a 7spd cassette by friction easily, but 9 and 10 are unforgiving and annoying to trim, so with a 9spd cassette I just suck it up and use indexing. The 9s downtube shifters have a fantastic feel.

FWIW I am using a Chris King headset now and it is plenty durable, although I question the upward facing top cup that looks like a funnel for rain and grime. I’m happy to loan the CK installation tools if it helps. (I’m in Sunnyvale.)

Good luck with the new bike!