Why do touring bikes (Trek 520, etc.) have bar-end shifters? What is the advantage?

Question

Just curious why anyone would want a road bike without STI shifting.

Answer 1

Just look at where touring bikes go and it makes since to avoid STI shifters on them. Bar ends are simple, they are easy to replace and have less of a chance of failure than STI shifters. If you breakdown in the middle of nowhere, bar end shifters would be more practical to have. Touring bikes are meant to be durable over long periods of time. STIs couldn't hold up that type of abuse. When it comes to touring components, keeping it simple is the key.

Answer 2

Even in touring you're still dealing with aerodynamics and control of a heavy load. Being on the drops is better aerodynamically. Not having to move your  hands from the drops to the hoods constantly reduces the chances of bumping the bar and ending up on the asphalt with a bike that is really heavy.

Also some people prefer it! I have a roadie friend that has one on a moots ti frame. Whatever floats your boat or spins your wheel!

Personally sti is for me, I don't even have the bar end shifters on my aero set up.