Over time, my old Universal brake calipers wore out. I'm not sure I can get a good picture, but the cable retention bar had a split notch for "easy assembly", and it eventually wore and expanded so that it no longer held the cables.

I've been considering going Aero for some time.

I found these Origin8 "Classic" road calipers, and thought I'd try them out.



My old Universals had the inline adjustment at the levers which I lost

The new levers are comfortable. The pull seems to be somewhat greater than the old Universals, so braking is a bit tight (more strength). But, perhaps that gives me more inherent adjustment without having inline adjusters.

Bars are Blackbirds (aluminum) which I had been trying out, and find to be fairly comfortable. But, they also required the funky stem.

Yes, the bike has seen too many years and too many miles

I'm a bit leery about the plastic brake lever bodies/bushings. We'll see how well these last. I got many years and many miles out of the old Universal brake levers.