I have RSX on my 1998 touring bike. The levers work well with cantilever brakes. 7 speed cassette on mine. They were on a bike that was retail $600 in 1998.
My bike was $500 on sale in 1999. Mine will be turning 10,000 miles in a few rides. I did have to clean out the old stiff grease from the shifters a couple of years ago. That's typical for any level group. My shifters now work fine. Same rings, chain, and cogs since 1999.