Then STI is a clear advantage, because you can ride with your hands firmly in the drops and shift with your index finger, and never have to move your hands to a lever on the end of the bar or on the DT. If you don't bellieve this, it suggests to me that you have little or no experience running STI shifters, because I know for a fact that you can work the brakes and shifters on STI with both hands firmly planted, either on the hoods or in the drops. That's one of the principal advantages of the new stuff - finger tip shifting with full, two handed control of the bike.

Look, the statement was made that barcons had a "huge advantage" over STI/Ergo. What is it? What is the huge advantage?

Back to the OP's original question - barcon's or even DT friction shifters may or may not be "as fast" as the new stuff, depending on your experience and skill. Simple as that. On a fast group ride, you will probably be at a disadvantage. On a typical fun/recreational ride, I doubt you'd lose too much, if at all.

I've done both, with both technologies. And based on my experience, I gotta ask staight up to all you folks that are telling me STI/Ergo is a disadvantage/inferior - how many miles have you used it for? What is your experience with it?