Jamis Aurora Mods
I am considering modifications to my Jamis Aurora (2010) touring bike. The bike came with brifters and rim breaks. As much as I would LOVE disc breaks, that is not a possibility and not big enough an issue for me to think about changing out bikes. HOWEVER, I am finding that the brifters are something I enjoy less and less as time goes on. They are complex, so their reliability will not be as great as a simpler design and that also makes them a weak point over time.
In thinking about possibilities, I find bar end shifters and down-tube shifters are the most logical alternatives. Being "old school" I think I will convert over to down tube shifters but the bike has no braze-ons for that purpose. Rather than compromise a well protected metal tube, I would like to find a new version of the traditional strap on shifters. Does anyone know if these are even made today?