I like my indexed bar end shifters, but I'm not crazy about the cable routing. It looks goofy and is kind of annoying sometimes. Brifters are nice because you can brake and shift at the same time and you can shift from the hoods. I'm planning on doing some serious touring once my kids are a little older and will definitely use indexed bar ends. I'll want something indexed on the bars and I'll want something that can be used in friction mode in the event of a mechanical problem. The only thing that fits the bill is a nice set of indexed barcons.

I guess that doesn't answer the question but if the tenths of a second difference in the time it takes to shift barcons vs brifters is critical, the kind of riding you're talking about is way outside my level of experience.