Remember that true short-reach brake-levers have a different pivot and leverage-ratio to pull the same amount of brake-cable with less lever-travel. This allows them to move the brake-caliper the same amount as regular levers. Regular levers pre-pulled with shims will not pull the same amount of cable with their reduced travel. You end up risking bottoming the lever against the handlebars before getting enough braking-force built up. If you shim a regular lever, you must adjust the cable so that the pads are as close to the rims as possible.

I've also had good luck with these levers. They're short-reach and pull more cable than normal, so no bottoming risks: Tektro RL520 ergo levers.