Originally Posted by the sci guy

no, i totally understand. i often shift up one gear to the 2nd smallest cog so it's just a tad easier to start off from a stop sign or the red light, as i approach the intersection. right now i have the rapid fire thumb trigger shifters on my MTB, and i find that so ridiculously convenient and easy. i can see how having to completely move your hand and arm quite a distance to the end of the bar could pose a problem.
for the same reason i was never a fan of the old-fashioned shifters mounted on the down tube. they're so far out of the way it was uncomfortable. i didn't end up getting the bike simply because of that.