Two things. First, ApolloCVermouth is referring to V-brakes, not cantilever brakes. Cantilever brakes, as Rivendell rightly notes, require about the same amount of cable pull as caliper brakes, centerpull brakes, etc., and brake levers for any of these three types of brakes should be interchangable. V-brakes, on the other hand, require more cable pull and need special levers. Brake levers designed for V-brakes shouldn't be used with caliper brakes or cantilevers.
Second, I've got barcons on my Raleigh, and like them. I've not used take-offs, but barcons are easy enough to get to in a group ride situation. Your hands remain on the bars while shifting. And the times where you'd need that sort of control, you're likely to be in the drops anyway. Pros got along for years with down-tube shifters, remember.
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"c" is not a unit that measures tire width