ok, sorry if this is a dumbass question, but I want to replace some crappy old Dia Compe suicide levers on a road bike with something better. Does it matter what I replace them with? Do I need to match up brake reach or anything? Or can I just throw any newer aero levers on as long as they're properly adjusted?

Aero levers will likely improve your braking, as they have better mechanical advantage. Where in Western MA are you?

That's a really good upgrade. The cable pull is the same as "non-aero" levers, so no problems there. The aero design provides better leverage for better braking performance, and they're more ergonomic, especially when braking with your hands on the hoods. Some say they don't make much difference in performance, but from my experience it's a very noticeable improvement-

I would suggest the cane creek or Tektro (R200A? the ones that are the same model with different hoods).

They have nice wide hoods and it feels good to ride on the hoods.

But the short answer is, any road brake should be fine, except for the one that is specifically designed for V brakes.

barba, I'm in the Northampton/Amherst area (celebrating the almost-completion of the rail trail extension!).

I think I will probably just get some used levers off ebay, anything has to be better than old chicken levers. thanks for the recommendations.

I am in Amherst. I can't wait for the extension to be done. My SO is especially excited because it will allow her a easy commute to work. I have a set of NOS 105 aero levers in my parts bin I will let go cheap if you want. The only catch is that they have white hoods (looks great on some bikes, odd on others).

Tektro R200A for 19.99 @ JensonUSA. I have 3 pair and love them.

https://jensonusa.com/store/product/B...ke+Levers.aspx

If you don't do a deal with barba for those 105 levers or opt for new Tektro 200s look for Shimano Exage Sport levers. They have a nifty release button built into the lever, and often go real cheap.
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one thing I'm wondering about: do they make them in different sizes? I have really small hands, and would love to find some levers that require slightly less reach. It's not a big deal, I'm sure I could adjust, but it would be nice.

I took a walk there yesterday and it is very, very close to done, there's just one stretch that's as-of-yet unpaved. The bit that goes under 91 is especially cool--you go under the highway, and then bam, you're right across from the bridge. Truthfully you could probably use it already (there were a lot of tracks) if you don't mind getting a little muddy.

About the brakes though, I dunno about the hoods because....I actually don't have the bike yet. But since I have this love affair with lugs and not a hell of a lot of money I know that anything I find will probably need the upgrade, so I'm planning ahead. Will you still have them in a few weeks?

I know the Cane Creek SCR-5 come in a compact version for smaller hands. You can buy them on ebay new, usually a little less than $30.......Also, +1 on the Shimano Exage, I've got some of those, too, they're excellent-

Whenever you need them, drop me a PM. I also have a lugged Raleigh Super Course MKII frame (and many of its parts- including wheels) sitting in my basement. It is quite small, and I am quite big so it isn't of much use to me. The main triangle is 531. If you are on the short side, drop me line.

Good to hear about the trail getting closer to done.

The compact Tektro lever is the R100.
FWIW, Tektro makes the Cane Creek levers.
I hope your rail trail works out as well as the one on Cape Cod. I'm down there several times a year.
When I was a kid, we used to ride the railbed that the CC rail trail runs on with old Schwinn and Huffy crusiers with low tire pressure. It was still unpaved cinder and sand in the late '60s. I guess we invented ATBs and didn't know it!
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One thing nobody mentioned, and this is just the cheapo-bottom feeder coming out in me, you can simply unscrew the safety lever and remove it. Then take out the little cross piece that it was attached to and file/grind it level with the lever body. Top it off with a set of non-aero hoods from the LBS for around $7-8 and you've made your bike about 1000 times more comfortable.

Of course, if you have your heart set on aero levers, this is no good. Also it requires a modest amount of mechanical aptitude. I do this modification frequently on bikes that pass through my garage. A worthwile, cost effective modification.

Triathlete.com has the Tektro 221A levers for around $10:

https://www.triathlete.com/store/product.php?id=22332

Use coupon code Tcom2005 to get the good price and $5 shipping. I just received a pair to replace the suicide levers on my Takara Prestige and I like them a lot.

I too am considering swapping to aero levers. What do I need (apart from the levers and bar tape of course) to fit them. How much extra brake outer cable will I need etc.? Are there any vids on youtube that show how to fit and plumb them in for instance. I currently have some old Chang Star side pull brakes and will want to upgrade to some dual pivot, long reach calipers (I have 27" wheels and also looking at going for 700c's for the added tyre choice) before to long.

I'm in England so any links to North American dealers will be pointless

not quite so, aero levers have more leverage, MA,
pull less cable for the hand lever motion, than cable out the top levers..

[though some of those 'safety levers' sit in the lever arc,
so it doesn't swing as far open]

NB: You can just remove the extra lever, keep the main brake lever,
and re adjust the existing brakes.

[did this on a repair . step 2 would be saw off the end
of the pin the lever rotated around so it was flush
the inside of the .. metal 'Hood'

Check your handlebar clamp diameter.

Got a pair of Tektro RL340 levers a couple of weeks ago.

Easy fit. I thought they would be. Got new brake cables and bar tape. It has been over 20 years since I last taped up any bars and the direction of wrapping has now changed. Tape went on a dream.

Levers are much nicer than the 30 year old C-Star levers I removed. Now waiting for pay day to send off for calipers. Looking at some Tektro R556 (or 559's) with their extra long drops ready for looking out for some 700c wheels.

Get new Tektro R200 as recommended above. They are comfortable, have a brake quick release in the levers, work very well and are ridiculously cheap. Used off of E-bay is a crap shoot. These are not.

I read that the Tektro RL340's I got were the upgrade of the R200's (here in the UK anyway). I rate them. Good comfortable hoods, nice pull, and a very pleasant price.

Those Exage levers mentioned above work okay, and they have a QR button if that matters, but they're pretty cheesy - the body is made from bent steel plate.

These are much nicer, IMO prolly better for small hands. IIRC this style comes in RX100, 105, 600/Ultegra, and DA, and you shouold be able to find em pretty cheap second hand or maybe NOS.

Actually, judging from this pic, they still make em. I think I found it on a SS site.

There's not much that can go wrong with a brake lever. The Shimano ones can get a rattle from the little plastic ramps inside the levers that are meant to assist cable removal, but they're not necessary and you can just piff em.
Otherwise they are beautifully engineered; sleek and comfy.