I haven't even tried STI/Ergo yet...not enough money to even look at a new bike right now.
Wouldn't mind trying them.

I pretty much grew up with indexing, and it was all I used until I crumpled my surly. Since then, all I have used is friction DT. Can't really complain about it either way. On a purely aesthetic point of view: Downtube > Bar-cons > Brifter. Brifters just look so chunky and out of place, especially shimano's.