Friction gear levers.

[HovR]

Whilst my mountain bike has indexed gears (and I'm perfectly capable of setting them up), all my road bikes are down tube friction shift and I find no issue with it. I'm sure brifters are more convenient for some but I quite like the simplicity. It's one less thing to go wrong, especially on the commute bike.

 

[boydj]

I used these - http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/dia-compe-bar-end-shift-levers-power-ratchet-friction-control-prod21014/ - for my commuter for a a couple of years. They worked fine on 8, 9 and 10 speed and gave me flexibility to use wheels with either Shimano or Campag cassettes. Good product.

 

[compo]

Friction or indexed, I don't really think about it when riding. After a few changes with friction levers a lifetime of using them comes back and I can change gear as fast and accurately as when using indexed gears.

 

[fossyant]

Down tube SIS shifters, benefit of both. Been using indexed down tube shifters for years, fastest gear shift ever.

I wouldn't return to friction, SiS is fab, STI very good, but I have had no need to move from my old SiS shift bikes. You can get shifters still.