thirdgenbird

Comfort on the shimano levers really isn't that bad. They are just a little narrow for my liking. There is a lot worse.

jyl

Another vote for

Amesja

Not so bad? The Shimanos are narrow enough that they can be used as cheese-slicers in a pinch...

Der_Kruscher

I have small/medium hands and I love them - wouldn't use anything else. Haven't heard anyone mention the SRAM levers yet.

https://www.amazon.com/SRAM-Aluminum-...ords=sram+s500

They're reasonably priced and may work better for bigger hands. They used to be available in polished aluminum but I'm not sure if that's still the case.

thirdgenbird

Maybe I should have said way too narrow. I don't find them anywhere near as comfortable as campy levers. By not bad I mean not as bad as lesser aero levers not worth putting on my list.

I would like to try the sram levers someday.

WNG

Another vote and plug for the Tektro R200, IMO, feels and looks better than their newer R340 (have both). You can buy the rebadged versions from Origin8, XLC, or Cane Creek. Cane Creek gets custom gecko grip hoods.

I find them more comfortable than old favorites like Superbe Pro, Aero Gran Comp, and Shimano Exage (version with QR button). The Exage being most preferred.

Puget Pounder

Trp rrl levers feel really nice (like new camp ergos) but they don't have the CV look.

I think the SRAM hoods are my new favorites after the trp and r200 compacts.

RobbieTunes

1- DC Gran Compe
2- Suntour GPX
3- Tektro
4- Campy Chorus
5- Shimano SLR

mikemowbz

The Weinmann levers on Chombi's bike in this thread are awfully nice. Though a little off period-wise (a common story here, and perhaps not a concern), and likely very difficult to find at a reasonable price, the Swiss are a little bit French (to suit the OP's Motobecane), and their stuff certainly appears on many French bikes.

Enjoying this thread. Makes me think I should be more discerning about the relative comfort of my lever options, though. I guess I only ride the hoods some of the time, usually for brief periods, perhaps not enough to make big distinctions between Campy and Shimano, etc., in that regard. Would love to get my hands on some of those Suntour GPX levers mentioned above ^. Soft spot for Suntour. Those brake calipers are pretty slick, too, and that group come with pretty neat pedals.

Otter 718

For my relatively long, bony hands, I found Cane Creek SCR-5s to be very comfortable, thanks to their big, fat rubber hoods.

Novakane 

I'll put in another vote for the Tektro R200's... I have a set on both my bikes and like the nice look and the feel of them. The QR button is simple and effective, providing enough clearance to remove the wheels. I run them on Weinman style center pulls on one bike and Shimano cantilevers on the other.
I think I bought the last ones they had at the LBS and naturally they've not been available in over a year which made me kind of sad when I was putting drops on my wife's bike.
I put on a set of the RL340's instead and they seem pretty good as well, and work with side pull shimano clinchers too. I still prefer the shape of the R200's though.

frantik

shimano 600EX levels (6208) are nice