Yes, I think he means a level top tube, or the standard bicycle triangle. And I had the same sort of plans for my future riding as well, up to and including the D2R2. I traded for a 2012 Surly LHT last April and am having the experience of having made one of those decisions that just doesn't stop feeling great. I commute in Brooklyn NY and the only time I had an issue with the bar ends was a few times at the beginning when stopped at a light. I would occasionally knee one the shifters on the dismount and get a surprise shift when starting up again. It's the same as learning to ride clipless, if you just become very aware of it at first you then can forget about it.