Newbie question on "fit" for those with experience (advice sought)

[OakLeaf]

Shimano makes Ultegra-grade short-reach levers (R700 for 10-speed, R600 for 9-speed). If you're buying a complete bike (usually the most economical way to go in the lower price ranges) many WSD bikes, especially the smaller frames, come with short-reach brifters. They're nice levers, with a choice of shims to adjust your reach. As Biciclista mentioned, different handlebars - and the position of the levers on the bars - can change your reach to the levers as well. Shallower bars won't do that, though - "shallow" describes the vertical distance between the tops and the drops. "Short" describes the distance in the horizontal plane from the stem to the farthest point forward in the bend.

The only Campagnolo I've ridden is 1987 Record, and I never rode SRAM, so can't speak to what's out there now, but I've heard that Campy levers are friendlier to smaller hands than the standard-reach Shimano brifters. I never had any trouble reaching the levers on my old race bike.