For some reason the idea of the bar end shifters do have me nervous (my trainer wants me to stick with trigger-shifters if possible). I am assuming that I can, basically, just move my hand down the bar until I get to the shifter? I hope that made sense

I have to learn how to take my hand off the bars anyway, that is still a problem for me. However, I will have at least 5-6 weeks to practice with my Trek before the LHT will arrive - and it may be longer if any of the parts are on back-order.

All of this is pretty exciting I am STILL amazed that he can upgrade as much as he is - including hand-built wheels - and stay within $300 of the original price! I haven't seen his final list/quote yet, so time will tell.

We have decided that the 46cm will be a better choice for me over the 42 - there will just be fractionally less standover room (still about 1.5 inches anyway).

The frame in this size is only available in brown - though hopefully they will have the olive color frame in stock by then. I will have to decide on accents - brown isn't my favorite color... However this is too sweet a bike to let slide over something like that. I love blue and green, surely I can come up with something to mitigate that brown if that is to be my fate...