Originally Posted by Portis
I have no touring experience so forgive me in advance, but it seems to me that being humped over a bike for days, weeks and months at a time, you would want the device which is most efficient. I would think the STI would win easily in terms of efficiency. You NEVER have to remove your hands from their normal position.
IMO, the most "efficient" shifter arrangement would be downtube shifters. they provide fine shifting with the minimum amount of weight and mechanical complexity. they are the least expensive option and the least likely to be damaged in any kind of crash. note that the popular surly LHT provides you the option of using these shifters. plus they're one less thing in the value calculation / decision of a potential bike thief.
bar ends are less "efficient" than downtubes in that you've added significantly more cable and two housing runs. plus a little more shifting force required to overcome the longer cable runs and bends. also more likely to get some damage in a crash. but you gain some conveninence and safety by keeping your hands on bars. slightly more costly than bar end shifters.
sti shifters are the least "efficient" in that they require the most cable/housing, have the most bends/potential friction in the shifter arrangement, are the most expensive to get and most likely to require replacement as a result of a fairly common crash scenario. but sti shifters are probably the best shifter / braking interface for drop bars. they have a significant safety advantage in that your hands never have to leave the hoods, as you have pointed out.
if you like sti shifters and have no problems with their cost, then you should get them and not be swayed by the posts on these forums. its your bike ride, and it doesnt make that much difference anyway in the big scheme of things.