ifjlaszlo

I have a cheap ALUMINUM bike, that I bought new almost 2 years ago. No problems with it what so ever.(Sora shifters 24 speed)
During the warmer months I try to commute to work a few times a week mostly for the benefit of an exercise. I have a 26 miles round trip to travel on the hilly upstate NY. I can coast 44 mph on one hill, 40 mph on the other for a 1 1/2 mile. I fill great riding the bicycle. Recently my coworker gave me a ROSS touring road bicycle. 20 -25 years old lugged STEEL just the right size for my wife 50~cm.(my bike is 60 cm). Anyway I pulled the seat as far as goes out the seat tube and took it for a ride today.
I was amazed how much smoother this old steel felt after my aluminum road bike. It reminded me of my old FAVORITE,(which was the brand name)bike from Slovakia.
I think I want the Surly crosscheck back to the old steel. 930 bucks 3x as much I spent on my current cheapo. I have one problem... what is with the bar end shifters??? Any benefits, practicality that I am not aware of...
I ride mostly on my brifters, that allows me to shift with ease. I don't see how can I do the same with the bar end shifters unless in I am in the drops .... How does it work??
Why these bikes came with this shifter???

L

hxzero

Because they're easy to use. If you really want you could put buy the frameset and build it up with brifters. Barcons are pretty easy to use, you just reach down from the hoods/tops and it's not a big deal.

plumberroy

Every time I go into one local bike shop ,He says here ride this around the block to see how you like it . Iam still riding my 82 ross eurotour . I am watching the local yard sales for a ross eurosport with the front freewheel system
I know they were "entry level bikes" but I like the way it rides
I have been know to cruise around on a schwinn speedster 3-speed too
Roy

Buglady

Love steel. Can't afford new steel. (There's a limited Colnago frame that I would probably commit illegal and/or immoral acts for...). Therefore I ride vintage and put up with silly shifters until I can afford to convert them (it is possible to put brifters on, it's just expensive).

jpmartineau

I've got DA barends on my Surly LHT and they're great. They're cheap, bombproof and work extremely well. Don't let that stop you.