blendingnoise

I decided to get some new levers and cables and try to install them myself.
Which would you recomend out of these two?
Dia Compe BRS Aero Brake Levers
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
or
Nashbar Aero Brake Levers
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

Would I be able to use this cable cutter to cut the housing too?
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...u=10881&brand=
Aesthetics aren't much of a concern and I was wondering if it would compress the housing really bad?

Where could one pick up an inespensive set of housing and cable?
Nashbar has this set for 4$
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
My lbs charges 1$-2$/ft, should I just measure and go that route?

Any other tools I would need? Is a cable stretcher/puller essential?

seely

The levers look and sound pretty the same... as for the cables and housings yes, you can use the cable cutter to cut the housing, but you will need a sharpened spoke, paperclip or something to flair and open the cut end. Also don't forget to get ferrules and cable ends. For housing and cables just go to the LBS... shipping would cost more than that stuff.

blendingnoise

well if i am getting the tool and brake levers I am already paying for shipping.

Look at this picture. It looks like it has the necessary ends (atleast on one side)
https://www.nashbar.com/nashbar_photos/medium/NA-CHS.gif

Phatman

I'd not get either of those levers. I know for a fact that eh dia-comp levers are junk, I have them on my fixie. one is a dummy lever now (no lever, just a hood). but they are way less comfortable then the shimano ones. heres the good shimano ones. get either the tiagra or 600...not the dia comps. trust me on this one, man. https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brakes.html#leversdrop

as for housing, if you look around the sheldon brown site, i'm sure they have it somewhere so you dont have to pay excess shipping.

Grampy™

File off the ends of the housing to open it. It will give you more efficient braking.