Touring - Bar end shifters

I really want to become a bike tourer eventually (I'm going to be doing a quick two day ride up to the Grand Canyon and back at some point this summer) and I frequent the touring section to get inspiration and information. I do have a question on bar-end shifters, though. I have noticed that a lot of dedicated touring bikes come equipped with them. The explanation I've read is that they are easier to maintain/replace and are more reliable. I guess what I want to know is if they are awkward to use for shorter rides (I also commute), or if you prefer "brifters."

Bar ends are fine for normal rides. The only downside I find is for group riding, when the pace suddenly changes and you need to shift immediately so you can stay in the paceline, it's not quite as quick. Also, you can't shift if you are standing. You definitely wouldn't want to race with them, but for commuting I wouldn't hesitate.

I have integrated shifters on my road bike and bar-ends on my tour bike, and they both work fine.

I never really made a decision about the bar-ends, just bought a touring bike that had them, got used to it (in about an hour) and never really gave it another thought.

They work fine for any distance.

I've just bought a new trek and never had bar end shifters before, always had STI shifters. I don't have any problem with commuting (which i do daily), it did take me a little while to get used to, it's not as natural as with brifters but it's becoming so.

If you like brifters and are using the bike for commuting..... Get brifters. Try sprinting from a stop light with bar ends.... I'll look over my shoulder to see how far back you are. :innocent:

If all I did was tour with my bike. I could live with bar ends.... live with them. Not like them.:D

ive never used those bar end shifters and, honestly, i think they look like they're awkward to use. about the only bar i can see them working well with, personaly, would be those trekking bars that are a pain in the butt to find anyware.

Try sprinting from a stop light with bar ends.... I'll look over my shoulder to see how far back you are.
I'm sorry, but that's just silly. I've done many fast group rides on bikes with bar-end and even downtube shifters, and never got left behind because I couldn't shift fast enough. If I'm a stronger sprinter than you, you're eating my dust no matter what kind of shifters either of us have.

And we're talking about a bike for touring, not crits. Do you usually sprint with 50 lbs of gear? ;)



ive never used those bar end shifters and, honestly, i think they look like they're awkward to use.
They aren't. They're easier to use than downtube shifters, for example.

Bar-ends aren't necessarily ideal for all uses, but they're perfectly fine for touring and commuting.

I have both brifters and bar end shifters. Brifters on road bike, barends on my touring/commuter. The only shifter failuer I have ever had was with a Shamino brifter. It was working fine for one shift, and the next it broken!

Bar ends are alot cheaper and provide no penalty for use in touring. Brifters are more expensive and offer no advantages in touring that aren't gained also in unloaded riding. If money is an issue, get bar ends and spend the difference on a better rear wheel.

I'm sorry, but that's just silly. I've done many fast group rides on bikes with bar-end and even downtube shifters, and never got left behind because I couldn't shift fast enough. If I'm a stronger sprinter than you, you're eating my dust no matter what kind of shifters either of us have.

And we're talking about a bike for touring, not crits. Do you usually sprint with 50 lbs of gear? ;)



They aren't. They're easier to use than downtube shifters, for example.

Bar-ends aren't necessarily ideal for all uses, but they're perfectly fine for touring and commuting.

you didn't see this:innocent: ? And please don't tell me that it is as handy using bar ends for commuting as it is brifters. OP mentioned that he's going to be using it for commuting. In traffic brifters are superior. You can keep your hands on the bars and shift/brake and pay attention.

I agree with the Bar ends over DT's though.

My bike spends as much time loaded down as it does going round.....:D

I had brifters on my bike during my first 600 km brevet and my hands were so tired of shifting a brifter, I wished I had a bar-end shifter- easier to shift when your hands are tired.
Brifters are faster to shift(benefit if you are in a race), easier to shift on hoods but also they are more expensive, cable interfere with some of front bags and bar-ends are easier to shift on the drops.

i like a big handlebar bag. it seemed to fit easier with bar ends. shifting while riding in the drops is easier for me with bar ends. bikes get kind of wobbly at 4 MPH when grinding up steep hills under load. i ride in the drops a lot while climbing, and LOVE those bar ends

In traffic brifters are superior. You can keep your hands on the bars and shift/brake and pay attention.


You can keep one hand on the rear shifter and another on the front brake, both on the handlebar. You can also shift the whole cassette in one swing after some cage cuts you off.

Brifters are fine for your intended use. Many tourers use bar-end or downtube shifters for long trips because they are more reliable and easier to repair. However, if you are using your bike mainly for commuting or short tours, brifters are great. I've used brifters for years as well as downtube shifters, but put bar-ends on my new commuter/touring bike that I built up over the winter -- mainly because they are inexpensive and I wanted to see what they are like. I've got Dura-Ace bar-ends, which are about the best available, and they work fine but I don't see any significant advantages over downtube shifters or STIs. So, really, I think it comes to a couple of factors. Bar-ends are inexpensive, reliable and durable. However, they are not as easy to shift as STIs (brifters).

You can keep one hand on the rear shifter and another on the front brake, both on the handlebar. You can also shift the whole cassette in one swing after some cage cuts you off.


This is just goofy. He is going to make a small tour. He will be using his bike for commuting. If that is the case then brifters are the superior choice. Nothing wrong with bar ends if that is what you like. Never did I say that they don't work. I said that in traffic brifters are a better choice. period. If you don't want to believe that or drink the bar end koolaid.... be my guest.

Again.. to repeat. For a bike that does most it's time in traffic and commuting. Brifters win. Bar ends second and down tubes......... never if possible.

Or just get a fixed gear and don't worry about it:innocent:

If you have STI already on your bike why bother with bar ends? There is no advantage at all. None.

They work fine for any distance.

:thumb: (In my opinion.) I like bar-ends, and have them on both my bikes -- a Trek 520, on which I commute to work most days and (will soon!) tour, and an Airborne Carpe Diem, on which I do longer/hillier weekend rides, and centuries.

bar end shifters have been wonderful for me. i'm not sure how others use them, but i grasp the tail of the bar and use the heel of my hand and pinkey and ring fingers to shift. that still leaves a decent grip on the bar for control. when shifting in traffic i generally have hand in reach of the front brake and the other shifting the rear, or visa versa and never feel at a disadvantage.
bar ends just feel solid to me. sti shifters annoy me in that when i grab the brake the lever has side to side play. i know it's in my head, but they feel less secure. when i grab the brake i don't like the loosey goosey feel of sti levers. maybe it's just my big paws pushing inward when i grab for the lever.

it boils down to personal preference. saying that one is hands down better than another is what is silly.

This is just goofy.
OK, I'll agree to that. :D

To be clear, I think he'd be fine with either setup. Brifters are easier to use, and that alone can be a valid reason to choose them. All I'm saying is that bar-ends work fine in pretty much any situation.



For a bike that does most it's time in traffic and commuting. Brifters win. Bar ends second and down tubes......... never if possible.
Well, that's your preference, and again that's fine.

For what it's worth, I use my bikes with downtube and bar-end shifters in NYC traffic all the time. I'm not thrilled by the DT shifters, but they do work just fine -- even in traffic and fast group rides.

A test ride (which I assume is part of the plan) should be sufficient for Brittain to figure out what will work for him.

I can't comment on "racer-oriented" aspects of shifters. That's never been my style of riding. I'm a recreational/tourer kind of rider.

I've used downtube shifters, bar-ends, and brifters on road bikes, and thumb shifters, grip shifters, and rapidfire levers on mountain bikes. They all work fine in my opinion, (except for thumb shifters. I don't know why anyone thought those were good!)

I think you can get used to any configuration, and even switch back and forth without too much consternation. I now have brifters on my regular road bike, bar ends on my touring bike and rapidfire on my mountain bikes. No big deal.

I've heard tourers say that bar ends are better because if the index shifting fails you can always set them to friction until you can fix them. I've also heard they're simpler and less likely to fail. However, I haven't heard reports of brifters being prone to failure.

My opinion is that whatever you choose will probably work fine and not fail during a tour. If I bought a bike with one configuration, I don't think I'd go to the trouble and expense of converting to another.

Just my two cents.

Count me in as one person who doesn't like bar end shifters. I think it's a little strange to have shifters at the end of the bars (seriously, if you think about it, if you had a blank canvas and were asked to design or specify where shifters should go on a bike, who honestly would put them there?). Shifters there out of preference? No thanks.

Even though I've tried them, it was only very briefly -enough for me to realize that I really didn't want shifters in that position! However, clearly they work as evidenced by the number of people who use them (though I do wonder if that is mainly due to the fact these are pretty much the only mainstream non-STI/non-Ergo gear changing option for road bars). And simplicity is definitely an advantage.

However, why not have all the advantages? What about the barends with Pauls Thumbies? You get the simplicity and the convenience of more to hand shifting. Or DT shifters with Kelly TakeOffs (my own personal set up).

Count me in as one person who doesn't like bar end shifters. I think it's a little strange to have shifters at the end of the bars (seriously, if you think about it, if you had a blank canvas and were asked to design or specify where shifters should go on a bike, who honestly would put them there?). Shifters there out of preference? No thanks.

Even though I've tried them, it was only very briefly -enough for me to realize that I really didn't want shifters in that position! However, clearly they work as evidenced by the number of people who use them (though I do wonder if that is mainly due to the fact these are pretty much the only mainstream non-STI/non-Ergo gear changing option for road bars). And simplicity is definitely an advantage.

However, why not have all the advantages? What about the barends with Pauls Thumbies? You get the simplicity and the convenience of more to hand shifting. Or DT shifters with Kelly TakeOffs (my own personal set up).:popcorn:D

This is just goofy.

I know it's goofy, just like your argument. I'm just pointing out that you can have both hands on the bars. I certainly did shift several gears at once a few times after coming to an unexpected stop.

However, why not have all the advantages? What about the barends with Pauls Thumbies?

That's what I use on my touring bike. I'm setting up a commuting bike with a single rear shifter on bullhorns. Some people ride on the straight section of the drop and bar-ends are actually closer for them.

Ah, the Elvis discussion -- it just won't die. Comes up at least twice a year.

Answer: Personal preference. If you think it's anything other than that, read the above posts again.

Personal preference. Despite what any one person says, there's nothing "wrong" or "non-intuitive" or "goofy" about either setup. It boils down to what one likes. (Wouldn't it be great if people just accepted that, instead of trying to convince each other that "their" setup is wrong???)

-- Mark

Yep, seen this one a few times. But I just can't resist one dig (sorry!):

What do you call putting a shifter in a place on a handlebar where most people don't spend the majority of their time, plus putting the shifter not in front of the hand (where your thumb and inner strongest/most used digits can reach) but behind it so that either you use your weaker outer fingers such as the pinkie or else take your complete hand off the bar to shift?

That sounds pretty non-intuitive to me (wouldn't classify it as goofy as it works, but non-intuitive, yes!) But I completely agree with you -it's personal preference, and whatever works for you. FWIW I don't think anyone seems to be saying one is better than the other or anyone's setup is wrong, just pointing out the pro/cons. I think bar ends are fine, STIs are fine -in fact I can't think of a good quality gear shifting system that can't be used or would prevent a tour. People used to tour without gears or plain old DT frictions. It's all about what you prefer and the compromises you are willing to put up with.

I do remember the days though when I think it was just me and Foamy and a couple of others who weren't afraid to say that touring was indeed possible on STIs and that the frequency of STIs breaking just wouldn't be a problem for most average cycle tourers.....



Ah, the Elvis discussion -- it just won't die. Comes up at least twice a year.

Answer: Personal preference. If you think it's anything other than that, read the above posts again.

Personal preference. Despite what any one person says, there's nothing "wrong" or "non-intuitive" or "goofy" about either setup. It boils down to what one likes. (Wouldn't it be great if people just accepted that, instead of trying to convince each other that "their" setup is wrong???)

-- Mark

Yep, seen this one a few times. But I just can't resist one dig (sorry!):

What do you call putting a shifter in a place on a handlebar where most people don't spend the majority of their time, plus putting the shifter not in front of the hand (where your thumb and inner strongest/most used digits can reach) but behind it so that either you use your weaker outer fingers such as the pinkie or else take your complete hand off the bar to shift?

That sounds pretty non-intuitive to me (wouldn't classify it as goofy as it works, but non-intuitive, yes!) But I completely agree with you -it's personal preference, and whatever works for you. FWIW I don't think anyone seems to be saying one is better than the other or anyone's setup is wrong, just pointing out the pro/cons. I think bar ends are fine, STIs are fine -in fact I can't think of a good quality gear shifting system that can't be used or would prevent a tour. People used to tour without gears or plain old DT frictions. It's all about what you prefer and the compromises you are willing to put up with.

I do remember the days though when I think it was just me and Foamy and a couple of others who weren't afraid to say that touring was indeed possible on STIs and that the frequency of STIs breaking just wouldn't be a problem for most average cycle tourers.....

Need to work on my high brow words.... :thumb:

...putting a shifter in a place on a handlebar where most people don't spend the majority of their time, plus [...] you use your weaker outer fingers such as the pinkie or else take your complete hand off the bar to shift?....
Well, I'd just have to say that your "most people" isn't accurate (except maybe in racing situations). Certainly for day-rides and touring (and at least in my case, for commuting), I only spend about 20% of my time with my hands on the brake levers. (And 20% of my time with my hands on the bar-end flats.) And the finger strength argument plays both ways. In practice, it seems that neither STIs nor bar-ends has a finger-strength advantage.

Ergo, your argument can be applied equally in defense of bar ends.

You prove my point :) Thanks!

-- Mark

If you have STI already on your bike why bother with bar ends? There is no advantage at all. None.Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say "none". I think bar-ends have the some advantages. You may not agree with all of these, and that's perfectly fine.

1. Bar ends allow easier shifting of many gears at a time (up or down).
2. You can tell what gear you're in without looking at the gears by looking at or feeling the levers.
3. My bar ends shift more cleanly than my brifters (YMMV).
4. Bar ends are more easily manipulated with heavy gloves or mittens.
5. Bar ends don't have cables that may interfere with some handlebar bags.

I'm not arguing that bar ends are better--merely that they aren't without advantages. They take just a bit of getting used to, but after that they are just fine.

I really want to become a bike tourer eventually (I'm going to be doing a quick two day ride up to the Grand Canyon and back at some point this summer) and I frequent the touring section to get inspiration and information. I do have a question on bar-end shifters, though. I have noticed that a lot of dedicated touring bikes come equipped with them. The explanation I've read is that they are easier to maintain/replace and are more reliable. I guess what I want to know is if they are awkward to use for shorter rides (I also commute), or if you prefer "brifters."

It looks like you have the bike and the brifters. Keep it simple (and cheap). Keep the brifters.

Many high-quality tourers come with brifters.

Bar ends have some benefit especially if you are spending a lot of time in remote areas (eg, out of the US).

One advantage of bar-ends is that if a brake lever or shifter breaks, you can replace one thing rather than having to replace two things (as you would have to with a brifter). Thus, replacing parts in a separate system is going to be cheaper.

=================


I think it's a little strange to have shifters at the end of the bars (seriously, if you think about it, if you had a blank canvas and were asked to design or specify where shifters should go on a bike, who honestly would put them there?). Shifters there out of preference? No thanks.

The point is that it's less strange than to have them on the downtube (which require you to take your hand off the handle bar). It's also a shorter distance from the top of the handle bar to the bar-end shifter.

=================


down tubes......... never if possible.
If you want simple, cheap, and reliable, no shifter beats down-tube shifters! Plus, you can use either hand to shift. And use one hand to shift the front and rear at the same time!

What do you call putting a shifter in a place on a handlebar where most people don't spend the majority of their time, plus putting the shifter not in front of the hand (where your thumb and inner strongest/most used digits can reach) but behind it so that either you use your weaker outer fingers such as the pinkie or else take your complete hand off the bar to shift?

That sounds pretty non-intuitive to mei guess you'd like to see manual transmissions go back to being on the tree as well? after all, your hands should be on the steering wheel, and moving your hands further away and down from the wheel is counter intuitive. :innocent:

i guess you'd like to see manual transmissions go back to being on the tree as well? after all, your hands should be on the steering wheel, and moving your hands further away and down from the wheel is counter intuitive. :innocent:

Does not compute. Your car has brakes that are operated by something other than your hands. You also don't need control front to back.. unless you go really old school. :roflmao2:

Most indy cars run paddle shifters...... ever wonder why?

Coming from flat bar experiance, I loved Rapid-fire shifters. Just so easy to flick up or down a couple gears as necessary.

Moved to my LHT when my old bike was stolen, has bar-end. And I like'em. Honestly, when I'm riding in the drops, I'm usually on the flats. Something about the curve feels awkward in my hands, I also feels like I don't get much leverage on the brakes for some reason.

For the original question? As you can see, opinions vary widely, but I think the general consesus is: Run what you have if it works for you.

My personal preference runs:
STI way ahead of anything else.
Down Tube shifters a distant second.
Bar end shifters an even more distant third.

All work, but it seems to me as if STI is just so much nicer to use.

Most indy cars run paddle shifters...... ever wonder why?

i didn't realize touring bikes are of the biking world what F1 cars are to the auto world.:rolleyes:

i didn't realize touring bikes are of the biking world what F1 cars are to the auto world.:rolleyes:

Your the one who brought up cars and shifters..... not I:innocent:

Your the one who brought up cars and shifters..... not I:innocent:

then why not use a more realistic analogy? consider an expedition vehicle, like a land rover defender 110. why don't they use a push button electronic 4wd transfer case? obviously it's easier to use, more convenient and takes less effort. it's not that a properly working electronic system is just as capable. but the downside is that it's not as reliable or field serviceable as a fulltime 4wd system or even a manual transfer case with lockout hubs. less moving parts, less to break, easier to repair.

people have been riding in traffic for years with downtube shifters, bar ends, and stem shifters just fine. in the end if you find sti style shifters more convenient, you have to weigh that against the higher cost, more complicated repair, etc.

again, it's all personal preference. nothing more than that.

then why not use a more realistic analogy? consider an expedition vehicle, like a land rover defender 110. why don't they use a push button electronic 4wd transfer case? obviously it's easier to use, more convenient and takes less effort. it's not that a properly working electronic system is just as capable. but the downside is that it's not as reliable or field serviceable as a fulltime 4wd system or even a manual transfer case with lockout hubs. less moving parts, less to break, easier to repair.

people have been riding in traffic for years with downtube shifters, bar ends, and stem shifters just fine. in the end if you find sti style shifters more convenient, you have to weigh that against the higher cost, more complicated repair, etc.

again, it's all personal preference. nothing more than that.

Yep...

I don't think using a Land Rover as an example of something being reliable is such a great idea. Ask a mechanic. :rolleyes::popcorn

I've used both, and downtube non-indexed shifters back when. I love the bar ends. With a Shimano rapid-rise rear der., both right and left sides are completely intuitive. After 35 years of serious riding, it took less than five minutes to go with a "backwards" rear der. To shift down, push either lever down. To go up, pull up. I use non-indexed Silver brand shifters. They're great to use. Best part: none of the annoying rattle that I had on rougher surfaces with my Ultegra brifters. They also would occasionally jam up, or not shift. They're almost impossible for owners to service.

Don't get me wrong. Brifters have their place, but for touring and daily use, I'm a bar end believer.

My personal preference runs:
STI way ahead of anything else.
Down Tube shifters a distant second.
Bar end shifters an even more distant third.

All work, but it seems to me as if STI is just so much nicer to use.

+1, except I would switch #2 &#3, Down tube shifters for me are just plain dangerous. Also I would emphasis the word distant.

to the op, no they are not akward for short rides, nor are they necasary for touring. STI will work fine for a tour short or long. After you tour for a while, you may decide that you want something else, and get to try them out. But its best to be doing something you want with what you have than to be waiting till everything is perfect so you can have a good time. Good luck with your tour, take plenty of water and sunscreen, the shifting will take care of itself.

As to the rest of the discussion, I really wish we could use bad words as they can be so descriptive.

I own every kind of shifter mentioned here. I have my favorite, and that is fine, that is why they make all these options. Personaly, my preference is for ------------, then ----------, and finaly ------------. I have my reasons for this, but they really do not matter. They are my reasons, and I am comfortable with them. IF I see your bike with --------- all I think is , hey , he must like them.

I'm getting the consensus that there is no consensus on the issue and that it's a matter of personal preference. I guess I should have specified first off that right now I'm riding a 2007 Specialized Globe City with flat handlebars, so no STI or bar-end. I have test ridden with STIs but never with bar-ends.

My only other question is regarding the reliability of the two systems. I keep hearing that bar-ends are more reliable, but what does that mean in real terms? I can expect to go twice as long between tune-ups for bar-ends, perhaps? Obviously what feels comfortable will be the highest priority for me, but ease of maintenance will be taken into account if one is far easier to keep up than the other.

I keep hearing that bar-ends are more reliable, but what does that mean in real terms?
There are some differences, but in most cases they are minor.

• Bar-ends are mechanically simpler. So if something goes wrong, they'll be a little easier to repair.
• Both bar-ends and STI require about the same amount of maintenance and adjustment.
• If you have problems with the indexing in the middle of a ride, with bar-ends you at least have the option to change the shifter into friction mode.
• STI levers can't be repaired; if the lever is damaged or breaks, you have to replace the whole lever.

As far as I know, a good quality STI lever is unlikely to break due to just regular wear & tear. If you don't crash the bike, it will be a very long time before you'd need to replace an STI lever.



Obviously what feels comfortable will be the highest priority for me, but ease of maintenance will be taken into account if one is far easier to keep up than the other.
Since there isn't likely to be much of a difference, I'd say do some test rides and see how your hands feel.

Keep in mind that the shape of a brifter or brake lever will vary from one model to the next. STI tends to be a little narrow, Tektro brakes a little wider etc. You may find one more comfortable than another.

Ha, too right with that! But I think you get the general idea -it's down to personal preferences.

Regarding reliability, bar ends should be more reliable than STIs based on simplicity (though beware of the simplicity argument; by the same measure it should mean only a single speed should be used as well). However, it really depends on what you term "reliability". I've got STIs that have done at least 10,000 miles, and I don't think that is uncommon. Though it's an often repeated mantra about bar ends, you have to ask yourself "is one in 10,000+ miles good enough reliability for me and for where I expect to tour?"

Another thing to consider is that when a bike falls down, which kind of shifting system is potentially the most exposed to breakage? Consider you're probably more likely to drop your bike more times than the times you'll break a shifter through wear (this statement is intended to be another thumbs up for Pauls Thumbies or Kelly Take Offs :) ).

If you are going to tour in remote places then perhaps I'd recommend bar ends or DT shifters (though that's still not to say STIs aren't quite capable of working or you can't make your bike a single speed anyway). However, if you're touring -where in an emergency you can make it to a bike shop and rig up some sort of shifting mechanism -then I'd recommend whatever is your personal preference including STIs.

Concerning tune ups, I've personally found no difference between any of the main gear shifting mechanisms. It's a case of once you tune in a shifter and derailleurs, usually you have to adjust for cable stretch now and again -whether it be bar ends, Grip Shift, RapidFire, STI, etc....

Test ride if you can, see what feels comfortable to you -though of course if you are short on money the bike you buy may well decide your shifting mechanism for you! Honestly if you buy a bike with STIs and you like them, you're fine... if you buy a bike with bar ends and you like them, you're fine.... if you buy a bike with.... you get the picture.


I'm getting the consensus that there is no consensus on the issue and that it's a matter of personal preference. I guess I should have specified first off that right now I'm riding a 2007 Specialized Globe City with flat handlebars, so no STI or bar-end. I have test ridden with STIs but never with bar-ends.

My only other question is regarding the reliability of the two systems. I keep hearing that bar-ends are more reliable, but what does that mean in real terms? I can expect to go twice as long between tune-ups for bar-ends, perhaps? Obviously what feels comfortable will be the highest priority for me, but ease of maintenance will be taken into account if one is far easier to keep up than the other.

Other overlooked beifets of the Bar Ends:
My Cyclocross bike is my road/cross/touring/commuter bike. Bar ends make the bike more versitile in that for all but touring I have a 10 speed 12-25 cassette on the back. For touring I throw a 9 speed 11-34 on the back and use the bar end shifter in friction mode for my trip. This saves me from using a triple crankset.
Also, using cantilever brakes, I find that if you want to be able to open up your brake for wheel changes you have to set Brifters loose and it affects braking power. With the Bar Ends I can use brake levers with an intergrated quick release. This way I can set the brakes up tight and open them up in a snap.
The last benefit, as I see it, is that you can dump your entire cassette (one way or another) with one motion using the Bar Ends.
That all said. My first touring bike had Brifters with never a problem. For a dedicated road bike I would choose Brifters every day.

As long as you're riding use what you've got.

Bar ends make the bike more versitile in that for all but touring

AFAIK, if you are performing or contemplating major drive-train surgery on your bike, it will be less expensive (meaning there will be less to change) with bar ends.

I prefer STI's, but have enjoyed touring bikes with bar ends in the past. I am converting my commuting bike from downtube to bar ends (the parts are in the garage) because it's a less expensive change than buying STI's, and because the drivetrain on that bike will continue to evolve. With friction bar ends I only have to buy new shifters once.

Bar ends make the bike more versitile

+1

AFAIK, if you are performing or contemplating major drive-train surgery on your bike, it will be less expensive (meaning there will be less to change) with bar ends.

I prefer STI's, but have enjoyed touring bikes with bar ends in the past. I am converting my commuting bike from downtube to bar ends (the parts are in the garage) because it's a less expensive change than buying STI's, and because the drivetrain on that bike will continue to evolve. With friction bar ends I only have to buy new shifters once.

Bar ends are to me a really convenient, really flexible and reasonably priced shifting solution. Not as slick as STI, but nice.

Having a bike around with downtube shifters will make you appreciate bar ends even more...

Other overlooked beifets of the Bar Ends:
My Cyclocross bike is my road/cross/touring/commuter bike. Bar ends make the bike more versitile in that for all but touring I have a 10 speed 12-25 cassette on the back. For touring I throw a 9 speed 11-34 on the back and use the bar end shifter in friction mode for my trip. This saves me from using a triple crankset.
Also, using cantilever brakes, I find that if you want to be able to open up your brake for wheel changes you have to set Brifters loose and it affects braking power. With the Bar Ends I can use brake levers with an intergrated quick release. This way I can set the brakes up tight and open them up in a snap.
The last benefit, as I see it, is that you can dump your entire cassette (one way or another) with one motion using the Bar Ends.
That all said. My first touring bike had Brifters with never a problem. For a dedicated road bike I would choose Brifters every day.

As long as you're riding use what you've got.

Please explain this? I use brifters and setting your brakes is not a problem. You pop the cable loose in .5 seconds. No harder than rotating the knob on roadie brakes.

Your using them as you mention in your first paragraph makes good sense for your situation.

What kind of brifters and brakes did you have on your first touring bike?

I'm getting the consensus that there is no consensus on the issue and that it's a matter of personal preference. I guess I should have specified first off that right now I'm riding a 2007 Specialized Globe City with flat handlebars, so no STI or bar-end. I have test ridden with STIs but never with bar-ends.

My only other question is regarding the reliability of the two systems. I keep hearing that bar-ends are more reliable, but what does that mean in real terms? I can expect to go twice as long between tune-ups for bar-ends, perhaps? Obviously what feels comfortable will be the highest priority for me, but ease of maintenance will be taken into account if one is far easier to keep up than the other.

The main issue is that bar-end and downtube shifters are much simpler, so there is less to go wrong. They have fewer parts than STIs and are much easier to fix if something goes wrong. If your STIs quit working, it might be the cables need replacing, which is fairly simple. However, if the STI mechanisms are broken, then you need to replace the shifters -- and that is very expensive. A new set of Ultegra brifters costs $300 or more these days. You can buy a new set of bar-ends or downtubes for much less than $100 if you shop around.

Speaking from experience, I have had two sets of Shimano STIs quit working. The first set were Ultegra, and they probably had 8 years, 20,000 miles of use when they failed. The second set were Dura-Ace (which is supposedly better quality), and they quit working after only 1 year, 3,000 miles. Shimano replaced them under warranty, but that bike was out of commission for a couple of weeks while I waited for the replacement shifters and repair. The other thing is that when STIs quit working, they sometimes fail without warning and very quickly.

A disclaimer: I run friction shifters - bar end, thumb, or downtube - on all my bikes. I just built up a travelers check with downtube shifters.

At the bike shop where I work, I see a LOT of brifter shifter issues. many, many problems.

the OP should try a bike with barcons and see if he likes them as inspiration for his next bike build.

And already having the STI setup on his bike he should probably stick with them until they break, then go to bar ends.