FWIW, in 2006 I had a custom bicycle (my Arvon1) built for touring along the Savannah Way in Australia. The Brooks saddle, drop bars, bar end (Sun) shifters, brake handles, front derailleur and cranks were all purchased used. I figured they would all stand the test of time, and they have. They are simple and effective.

One day in Cairns a "round Australia" tourer stopped into the bicycle shop to replace his brifters which both died on the Cape York run (and he went both North to the tip, then back south to Cairns in only 1 speed). The bike shop showed my old bar end shifters and he bought a new set. That fellow then completed his trip around Australia with a "slight detour" from Kalgoorlie to Laverton and along the Great Central road to the Olgas and Ayer's Rock, then south (on the bitumen) to Adelaide.

Drop bars and bar end shifters worked for him, and they still work for me.