Originally Posted by
caterham
when on the drops or hoods, you have to sit up(shifting one's fore-aft weight transfer) and move your hand upward & to the inside where there is less control. if one is riding aggressively they are not only awkward but are less safe from a control standpoint in cornering and difficult road conditions & at higher speeds.
Less safe than downtube shifters? With your hand on the center of the bar you certainly lose leverage compared to the hoods or the drops, but you still have more control there than on the downtube.