Originally Posted by seeker333

Bar end shifters are specified for touring bike primarily due to cost and profit motive for the seller. Bar end shifters have a wholesale cost of $70 or less; low-end Tiagra brifters are twice as much. If brifters cost the same as bar-ends, then you would see all touring bikes switched to brifters by the next model year.

I prefer brifters for the performance and safety advantages of having nearly instant ability to change gear from hoods or drops.

As another poster indicated, I'd just as soon use DT shifters over bar ends. DT shifters won't bump your knees, they require less housing and cable and thus weigh less, shift effort is very low due to no cable bends and associated friction, and DT shifters are more attractive than bar-ends with the flying cables. The bar-end shifter mounting location is susceptible to damage, whereas DT shifters are relatively protected. Down tube shifters even cost less than bar end shifters.