Over time, my old Universal brake calipers wore out. I'm not sure I can get a good picture, but the cable retention bar had a split notch for "easy assembly", and it eventually wore and expanded so that it no longer held the cables.

I've been considering going Aero for some time.

I found these Origin8 "Classic" road calipers, and thought I'd try them out.



My old Universals had the inline adjustment at the levers which I lost

The new levers are comfortable. The pull seems to be somewhat greater than the old Universals, so braking is a bit tight (more strength). But, perhaps that gives me more inherent adjustment without having inline adjusters.

Bars are Blackbirds (aluminum) which I had been trying out, and find to be fairly comfortable. But, they also required the funky stem.

Yes, the bike has seen too many years and too many miles

I'm a bit leery about the plastic brake lever bodies/bushings. We'll see how well these last. I got many years and many miles out of the old Universal brake levers.

I prefer the Dia Compe model 204 when using new levers on vintage bikes. Those look OK, though.

I put some Dia Compe Blaze aero (or similar) levers on another bike, but I've never been satisfied that they have enough cable pull for that bike.

I suppose after years of non-aero cable routing, I do like the cleaner look of the aero routing.

Those Origin8 levers look nice on your bike. I've had them on my eBay watch list for a long time but haven't ordered them.

The side view you provided surprised me - based on the few photos I've seen of them, I assumed they were the same "shape" as Tektro R200 and/or Cane Creek SCR-5 levers. Yours appear to have a more substantial hood to grab on to.

What brand is that stem? Does that stem accept modern bars?

They do look good! A bit like the current Campy levers.

The ergonomics look great on those, especially for riding on the hoods. I would not be concerned with the durability if the plastic structure--modern materials are mighty tough.

What is a Modern Bar?

Well, that is too complicated of a question

When I bought my Interloc IRD Blackbird winged aero bars, they required an open faced stem. The first one was an upward tilted stem, painted, with a bell that limited the insertion point. I almost got it stuck in the fork

I picked that one up a while ago.

I think the quill is stamped KAL, but I have one that is almost identical stamped HL.
It looks similar to the Profile Designs H2O quills (except silver).

Profile Design H20 Road Quill Stem: 110mm +/- 0 degree 1" 26.0 Black | eBay

Ahh.. I think this may be it, but in silver (note two welds).
New Road Bicycle Bike Quill Stem 22 2 110mm 0° Black | eBay

And, I found the downward angled one I've been hunting for
New Road Bicycle Bike Quill Stem 22 2 110mm -17° Silver | eBay

See other auctions by that same seller for slightly different models.

I think the Blackbirds are 26.0 bars.
According to the venerable Sheldon Brown
I've been having some problems with tightening it... hopefully I got it right now, but perhaps the 4 bolt stems are better than the 2 bolt stems.

Thanks for the response. I was wondering about the size of the handlebar clamp. I wasn't sure if it accepted a traditional bar (25.4 or 26.0 mm) or the modern bar (31.8mm). I now see your IRD Blackbird comes in 2 clamp sizes (26.0 and 31.8 mm).

I think the blackbirds are discontinued. I don't know why.

Most of my bars seem to be the 25.4 or 26.0 size, I think. I'll have to keep an eye out for 31.8 bars. Ahh, maybe I got one on the Tricross.

I suppose I can see why the 1 1/8" stem adapters are popular, in part because the selection of new stems seems to be lacking.

Here is a 31.8 stem, but like so many, it has an upward angle (MTB?)
Origin8 Pro Fit ATB Stem, 1" Fork Diameter / 25d Angle / 180mm Steerer / 31.8 bar