Had a Varsity & rode it daily delivering newspapers, as well as on longer recreational rides. They work well if you keep your cables well adjusted. For the time you want a maximum g stop, you want to get low anyway & use the front levers. Only takes a moment to drop to that posture. Hopefully you'd anticipate needing to stop like that, and would reach for the drop brake levers automatically. They are uncomfortable, though, if you want to ride on the hoods.