I love Frank! He's hunky.

I love the bar end shifters on my Bike Friday. I always am on the hoods, but it's very natural to shift on the bar ends. Also, you can see what gear you're in--it takes a little practice, but I don't have to look down at the chainring to see if I'm in the big or middle or smallest chainring--I can tell by the position of the shifter. Same for the left side (which controls the rear derailleur). However, that's on the road. I don't have a mountain bike and it's been years since I've ridden one on dirt. Might be different.