Well after adjusting the derailleurs I think I started riding the bike and never got back to the blog. The front DR was anoying me for a while. It would make a huge snapping sound when downshifting. It would occur maybe 9 of 10 times. It honestly felt like something insid ethe shifter was snapping off each time. It functioned fine but I knew that wasn't normal. I adjusted it to a compromise and would test it on the rollers. All would appear better then... CLACK! I even broke down and took it to the LBS(not like me at all!). We put it on a trainer and, like an automotive electrical problem, I couldn't duplicate the noise. I felt stupid being there in the first place and to be told, "I think it's just normal noise." made me feel like an idiot. Their adjustments gave improvements similar to my own but eventually the mechanism smoothed out. It hjas been fine since. A SRAM tip: There is always a lot of talk about front DR being crappy. The trick is to trim the front DR prior to shifting to the big ring. Going from small straight through the gate to large is a long reach and slow to respond. To me this is the benefit of front DR trim - not to quite noise when crossed up(shouldn't do that anyway!) but to stage it for the next shift. I am no longer irritated with my new groupo..... or my mechanical knowhow.

As is expected, you will add to the bike as you go - swapping out better parts as they become available. I traded out the old reliable but heavy and thick Specialized BG seat for the Fizik Arione. The seat that was once the only one I could stand now causes numbness and seems to lack a "sweet spot". IMO the more saddle time you get in the more you find a variety of seats that "work" for you.
You can look for seats 'till the cows come home, and believe me I searched the reviews, but eventually you realize that, within reason, it's your butt that does the adapting and not finding that illusive perfect saddle for your build. I have become convinced tht this very popular topic is discussed primarily by beginners. You just don't hear experienced riders whining about their limited saddle options. Whew! I feel better.

My buddy Mark had an all carbon Deda Black Magic fork. Note: Many bikes today come with proprietary "carbon forks" that match the frame. Unless you spring for a high end frame from the getgo, these will be carbon blade only forks. The steerer is aluminum. These are fine, do save some weight, and look good but certainly feel different than a full carbon fork will feel. This change made the front end lighter and twitchier. That and the new flex made me feel a bit uneasy. Though I have gotten used to it, the fork is noticeably more springy. I can stand up and bounce and feel it give. This has turned out to be of no detriment but it is strange at first. The benefit is that it saves yet more weight and does make the bike much more comfortable to ride. It is now much more steel-like in it's ride. The lighter a frameset gets, the more in tune with your technique you become. The first time you sprint in the drops, you see how the front end can move around and smooth your technique to compensate.
My buddy also had some NOS Cane Creek Volos titanium spokes wheels. Cane Creek makes only track wheels now(why, I don't know). These wheels have the nipples in the hub rather than around the rim making the revolving weight closer to the center. Marketing aside, it was immediately noticeable. They feel like they spin up quickly. Will this make you faster? No but, like the fork, the feel and responsiveness is nice. It's funny, read the forums. They are overrun with statements like, "It's not like I'm gonna race." or "Only the top pros benefit from such little improvements." Or, "I don't mind the extra 1/2 lb." I envy them. I wish I was not so easily swayed by a lightweight bike or the desire to keep up with the front group. On the other hand, maybe it's a subconscious excuse to limit themselves to what they know they can afford. I'm as opinionated as the next guy about it not being "all about the bike" but the truth is the cumulative sum of such improvements will eventually make you faster as not only will the bike get lighter but the improvement in responsiveness will help you capitalize on your technique.
Did I mention the Garmin 305 Edge? Nice computer/GPS. I like being able to throw it on any bike and, even without the chainstay pickup, I lose only the cadence function. Everything else is satellite controlled. Perfect to throw in your pocket when tooling around on a vintage bike for example.
I took a pic today as the bike sits in it's final iteration. Without pedals, as shown, the bike weighs 17lb 1oz.