Originally Posted by
canopus
Stem shifters are just so bad....Especially in friction, they force you to take your hand off the bar and then move a lever on your steering that is only being held by one hand and if your touring then you have a lot of weight on it and it usually forces a change in direction (usually into traffic). I would stick with thumbies or downtube shifters.
Don't down tube shifters also force you to take your hands off the bars? Unless you are riding in the drops I don't see how D/T shifters are any easier than stem shifters.
I agree with others that stem shifters get a bum rap. Yes they are cheap, but on a touring bike they will do anything those $100 D/A barcons will do. And if adjusted properly (which is incredibly easy) you will not alter steering while shifting.
As for mounting them on the top tube, I would rather just use the stem mount. Less chance of testicular shifting while waiting at a stop.