I would agree with what you say regarding the gear changes. Now that I have got used to it I rarely have a problem.
It's not quite as perfect as I would like, but I've not once encountered a situation where I have ended up in "no" gear, so I'm now happy I made the right choice, at least for the type of cycling I'm currently involved in.
As an aside, the Mayor of London is starting a crackdown on cyclists who cycle on the pavement and go through red lights! A survey he quotes says that one in three cyclists now ignore the traffic lights, but I reckon they have seriously underestimated the number!
So if anyone is cycling in London over the next few months beware or you may recieve a fine you were not expecting.