Originally Posted by
seagrade
Various Italian manufacturers and pro teams also continued to set up similar C-Record and Croce d'Aune levers up non-aero for a year or three post-introduction because that was how it was back then. No need to rush a change from what had been proven over decades prior.
I have read some old bike reviews that are not very flattering of early aero brakes. They had considerably more friction than standard levers at the time.