In my experience, cross levers are only really useful if your reach is a bit further out than you'd like. I find the stopping power on them to be less effective than braking from the hoods or drops, too. In an urban environment, I liked them because of frequent braking and not needing to stretch as much to reach the hoods. But once I started riding a frame+stem+bar combo that fit my upper body properly, my natural hand resting position was always on the hoods and the cross levers became unnecessary.

So that may answer your question--how's the reach to the hoods where they are now? Furthermore, would it be better to spend that money on a brake calliper upgrade instead?