Three of my remaining four bikes have friction downtube shifters. Over the summer, I will be working on setting up a second with indexed. Suntour Accushift is said to function better, with a nine speed chain, than it did when it was released, back in the 80s. I have never had a fondness for bar ends. I have no issues with cantis, though I currently have no bikes that use them.
When my wife returns from the North Country, I will begin my adventure with tubulars, first building the wheels with hubs she will carry with her, and then with the tires she will also carry with her.
And then I'm done buying bike stuff.
Jadesfire