I have to say the colour scheme is definitely growing on me! The stem is the same one as before - hence the nitto randonneur bars, they were the only ones I could find that were nice and the right diameter!
Retro Grouch: the brakes seem to be working very well. They can be used from the hoods or the drops and I can feel roughly the same stopping power as with the previous brakes. Considering the cost (£17) I am very pleased with them.