New Components = Hilarity!

[Atlas]

Oh no! I've often looked lovingly at my bar end shifters and been thankful, because I would definitely swerve all over the place with downtube shifters. You'll get the hang of it eventually, be careful in the mean time.

[Biciclista]

isn't there a schoolyard near you? that's where i practiced!
ps how come you got bar ends? they are scary!

[jordanpattern]

Me? I got downtube shifters because they were simple. I'm planning to get STIs next year, but I don't have the money now, so I want something reliable and simple until then. Everything I've heard says that they'll take a little while to get used to, but that once you are used to them, they're fine.

I definitely need to find a schoolyard or parking lot to fall down in! I'm not too worried, but it is funny that I suddenly can hardly ride!

[OakLeaf]

Pretend you're reaching for your water bottle. Your shifter is right above there.

When I came back to road riding after a 12-year hiatus, with a new bike and brifters, it took me probably 3,000 miles to quit reaching to the down tube when I wanted to shift.