I am completely unfamiliar with bar end shifters, never used 'em before. There's a part of my mind that thinks they look awkward to use. It's one of the reasons I haven't fully embraced the moustache bars (even tho I think the moustache bar looks killer). I wonder if any other bar end shifter users could chime in about their experiences with them?

Inexpensive is good -- I love this bike, but it's not one I want to drop a big chunk of change on for upgrades. In a year or so I hope to treat myself to a nice road bike, if I feel I've earned it.

If I go moustache, I haven't decided if I should go low-budget (and heavy) with Nashbar, or high-cost (and lighter weight) with Rivendell. I think I could get some good drops for less than the Rivendell moustache.