I do see a benefit in being able to keep one's hands on the bars during gear changes, but once you are used to a particular bike's geartrain, I see no real advantage whatsoever to indexing. Brifters are ergonomic when you have your hands on the brake hoods, but barcons get the edge when you are down on the drops, as I often am.
For me, the big attraction of a nonindexed system is that they are very economical, durable, and reliable, and they permit me to mix and match components in any way the spirit leads me.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 03-06-07 at 03:42 PM.