I have classic suicide levers that work very well; they're Dura-Ace, '70s. I also have in line brakes on a cross bike. Both work well with good pads; getting them adjusted perfectly takes significant time.. it's tedious getting it just right, but stable once you do. You can lock them up, as Tundra_Man says. But, the stopping distance is not as certain as the primary brakes, and feathering isn't as precise. I would not like to be on a fast downhill using only top brakes but they are fine for cruising, commuting, dirt.