Originally Posted by GTcommuter
This is actually the argument for bar end shifters. They allow you to move your hand outwards and keep a hand on the outer side of the bars which is much more stable going slow. I have a hard time riding slow with my hands at the stem or center of the bars. Bar-end shifters were first developed for touring bikes where stability at a low speed (and next to a big cliff) was critical.
I appreciate that barends are an upgrade. I was just comparing stem to downtube.
With either one (of the center shifters) though, setting aside practise time on quiet bumpy crackling sidestreets will increase your confidence in shifting with one hand off the bars while keeping a straight line. I think a key is to maintain fairly light grip balancing as if you could go no handed. Its a learned skill that you only get better at by purposefully practiciing, I think.