I use either good old Weinmann Vainqueur 999 or Shimano aero levers, because the reach on most other levers, particularly Modolos, Campagnolos, or Mafacs, is just a bit too long to enable me to grab the brakes quickly and hard in a panic stop, if I am on the drops. For best brake performance and control, I use high-quality modern cables and KoolStop pads. I gave up steel rims decades ago, and they were the first thing I gave away when I started rebuilding my newly-acquired Carlton.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069