This has been a great thread. I've been thinking since last year of building a new cyclocross bike with lower gears in the cog set, and the information here has been very helpful. Since I'm currently using Shimano Sora levers and plan to switch to Tiagra or better on the new bike and would have to get used to different shifters entirely, I wouldn't have the issue of adjusting to the RD shifting being "backwards" with a low-normal setup.

Thank you, ladies, very much.