Personally, I think brifters are a wash as far as any performance advantage. The left/front changer is more awkward than a simple DT lever. They are heavier and somewhat prone to failure. They do make it easier to shift if you're on a very rough undulating road in a paceline, where you'd need both hands on the bars. The main appeal of brifters is that they make newbies more comfortable and secure, since you don't ever have to let go of the bars. Also, they are expensive and in a vulnerable location. No doubt a good profit item for Shimano and everyone else.
Originally Posted by
stardognine
Which is why God gave us Cannondales. 😎😉
It's mostly forgotten now, because they've been around for decades, but once upon a time Cannondales received a whole lot of vitriol from the traditionalist types. Now they are vintage...
