You should try them. The ones I'm used to - Shimano Sante and RX100 - are more comfortable to ride on, and easier to brake from than non-aero levers. The other thing is both are connected to better brakes. The Sante single pivot brakes are Shimano's last generation of single pivot brakes and they're really good, especially compared to the older, flexier single pivots. The RX100's are the first generation of dual pivots and they're even better. People will tell you if you can't lock up the wheels with two from the hoods with non-aero levers and single-pivot calipers, you're doing something wrong, but they will never be as effective as modern brakes.

Personally, on my C&V bikes I like to keep them as original as possible, though I'll make exceptions for fit and efficiency. And I like to keep groupsets together as much as I can, so I leave the original brakes and levers on, but I upgrade the pads, and I've taken to using modern brake cable housing, in colors matching the original.