Like you said, I do not like the position or reach for them. Even on my Schwinn Collegiate, I did not like the position of the stem shifter. My Suburban had a thumbie by the grip that was much more enjoyable to use.

I think they look clunky placed on the stem, especially some of the taller ones that pass the stem height.

Like you said, they normally scream cheap bike. I have seen them on Paramounts as a factory option and they still look bad.

Other than that, I haven't had any functional beefs with them. The suntour power shifters on the stem work pretty nice.