I have STI on one bike,can take it or leave it, bar-end shifters on two others, and am debating what to do with the 90s Cannondale R200 I'm building up. I'm going to start by putting the 7speed downtube levers back on it.

DT shifters are fine, barends are finer.

Riding on rollers has already been mentioned.
Be a little careful on the first dozen shifts to not get your fingers into the spokes. Not really a danger, but a little awareness is good until you get some muscle memory.
cheers -mathias