I prefer bar ends or downtube shifters because they just work and do so with boring reliability. Additionally I am not racing and I think that is where brifters really shine. My 2x10 SOMA build uses Dura Ace bar ends and very slick shifting. Probably the best shifting of any bike I own, My only brifter equipped bike has equally slick shifting but shifters were more than double the cost of the Dura Ace bar ends.

Brifters can be nice, they offering decent shifting when properly set up, are more easily damaged in wrecks, oh and they can get gunked up which requires getting a good solvent bath and relube .

I thoroughly disagree with those who assert brifters are necessary for long rides. I do not do a lot of shifting as a rule unless I need to change a gear which usually involves a climb, and I have a lot of opportunities to do nice longer rides here in the Willamette Valley , but then again see my comments about not racing .