one of my LD bikes uses dt shifters, the other uses campy ergo.

i like the ease of the ergo, but the look feel of downtube shifters.

some talk of the extra "stretching" that goes on with DT's - i'm not really buying it - i mean are people that stiff on the bike (w/ ergo/STI) that they never move their arms? i can see the mechanics involved, but haven't noticed any benefit using DT over Ergo.

and in relation to being able to tell what gear you're in at night.. i've read that before, but haven't really felt a need for it. for me, the legs say (e.g. rpms) if i'm in the right gear or not. (as opposed to looking at it and gauging if it's right or not)

i mean i do look at the gears (even with the DT) from time to time, but at night do you really need to see them?

in the end, it's just like what kind of toothpaste do you like - e.g. nobody's answer is right.