Look, I know that this is a classic board and the idea is not to put down modern stuff, but I have to tell you that when I catch up to a large group of modern cyclists pulling a fast pace up a hill or such..... As I approach from behind, I start hearing clicking and then clunks and then a metal- gnashing cacophony, similar to the sound of bicycle hell. As I work my way up through the peloton, I must admit to being scarred and to cringing at all the sounds I often hear. The high tech riders don't seem to be affected negatively by metal to metal grinding. To them it's just the way things are. When we come to a stop for coffee, they start talking about coming in for their six months check-up, or the three months tune. Get it... these are well maintained bikes, and many are just plain new. The only Campy 9 speed I ever rode was a Bianchi Campione (new lugless steel frame in Celeste green). The bike was nice but the gears were noisy by my standards. The STI Shimano 105 equipped bike I rode was also a bit loud in the gears. With indexed and friction shifting of the 5,6 and 7 speed variety, no noise -- none is considered normal. Just the hum of the tires and the whir of the chain. The only time you hear these old fashioned bikes making noise is when things really start to wear,or the rider is mentally retarded and can be forgiven for letting his bike make duffussy sounds, or when the rider is obviously a thief and he is only ridding it to his fence. But with 9 speeds, all that grinding must wear things out pretty quickly. Just a casual and humble observation by Garth Libre