Originally Posted by
MTBMaven
1) They are a very simple design with basically one moving part. Whereas as bifters (brake/shifters) are complex and difficult to repair.
2) Shimano shift cables on bifters get in the way when using handlebar and rando style bags.
3) I think non bifter brakes and bar end shifters are cheaper than bifters.
I am wishing I had downtube shifter brazons added when I had my DeSalvo built. I would like continue to use my Ultegra bifters but the down the road flexibility would have been nice.
One more thing came to mind. When indexing is off or totally jacked you can switch to friction shifting with bar ends/downtube shifters as well.