I have bikes with with down tube shifters and bikes with the integrated brake/shifter levers. I like both, but I find it more convenient to shift with the integrated levers, I'm never in the wrong gear with them. I ride with all age groups and the younger riders are amazed that I'll take my hands off the bars to grab a shift lever on the down tube. Pretty funny. I had a guy in his twenties behind me in a paceline a while ago and it was his first time seeing down tube shifters. During a break he asked me if I shifted less because of the down tube shift levers. When we got back to the ride I constantly touched the right hand lever, even though I didn't shift, just to goof on the younger guy behind me. After the ride he said he noted how many times I shifted and was amazed. I never told him the truth.
Last edited by Tpcorr; 03-05-20 at 05:59 AM.