Down Tube Shifters

[bikemig]

I like brifters and bar end shifters better than downtube shifters but I happen to like downtube shifters just fine. Mechanically they're very simple and they do force you to think ahead in shifting.

Also keep in mind that some of the real improvement in shifting came less from moving the shifters to the bars than with newly designed cassettes and chainrings. You'll get better shifting with downtube shifters using the new cassettes than you ever could with older freewheels.

[DaveB]

Down tube shifters are simple and weigh less than any other kind of shifter.

Not to get too far into "weight weeneism" here but, while the downtube lever themselves weigh less than other shifter types, you have to add the weight of the brake levers to get a fair comparison.  STI's, Ergo's and the Gevenalle shifters include the brake levers in their weight claims. 

[staehpj1]

Down tube shifters are simple and weigh less than any other kind of shifter.

Not to get too far into "weight weeneism" here but, while the downtube lever themselves weigh less than other shifter types, you have to add the weight of the brake levers to get a fair comparison.  STI's, Ergo's and the Gevenalle shifters include the brake levers in their weight claims.

I am a pretty obsessive weight weenie when it comes to packing gear, but a bit less so on the bike.  That said brifters are typically heavier than the combined weight of brake levers and down tube shifters.  Additionally there is less cable and cable housing.  Those differences are kind of moot to me though since my preference on how they work is a bigger deal.