New Gruppo on older bikes

I honestly can't see downtube shifter make it any worse on the climb, I usually selected the right gearing before I encounter the incline, rather than changing on the incline.

i love this idea - but no

I thought Lance ran a downtube shifter on the left for the front mech, and an STI lever on the right for the rear mech

this- he only did it to save weight.

In any case I wasn't saying you won't enjoy cycling with DT shifters or retro parts -just that I don't see why you would given the choice between that and a modern group? New stuff works so much better - and its not all ugly