SRAM drivetrains

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I should have mentioned:

You can also still get high-end, short reach Shimano brifters that are 9 speed, and will allow you to run a triple up front. ( I just wanted an excuse to post a picture of my bike.) They are called the R600, are of Ultegra-level quality, and can be ordered through your LBS. They retail for way too much, like way +$300--but still cheaper than other options to run this kind of gearing on a road bike.

Hi Margo
The R600 9 speed is what you put on my wonderful bike, and in fact since then I also converted my older Rivendell Rambouillet to the same brifters, I like them that much. What a relief to be able to wrap my fingers securely around the brake levers, especially when descending steep hills that end in a T at a highway.
But you can actually buy them retail for $272, here is where I got them last month:
https://www.bikesonline.com/search_r...ase=ISTR600PAA

and this gives me an excuse to post of picture of them on my yummy Luna bike, with super low 9speed gearing as well... ....

[Triskeliongirl]

I also run R600 9-spd brifters on both of my bikes, with a 50/34 custom crank in front and a shimano XTR 11/34 in back. I run std ultegra brakes on my titanium isis, and center pull cantis on my travel isis to accomodate wider touring tires. Love the gearing and simplicity of a double.

I attached a pic of my travel isis. While the top tube is only 49 cm, notice that allows me to use a normal length stem and bars so more of my body weight can get over the front wheel than on a bike with a longer top tube and itty bitty stem and short reach bars (an issue being discussed over in another thread...........).