On my shortreach S-n-S bars I can reach my brake levers from the drops. On my regular bars I can't, not because the levers are too far away from the bars, but because they are too high above the drops.

If I scoot my hands waaaaaaay up above the ergo bump, I can wrap my fingers around the brake levers. Otherwise I'm barely able to catch the lever with the very tip of my index finger.

I have long fingers. In my case, what I need is a lower drop bar so that I can reach the levers from the drops. (bringing my hands up to the levers) I don't really need shims or short reach brake levers (essentially bringing my hands forward toward the levers or the levers backwards toward me).

I love my shorter reach brake-only levers by Shimano. But they are the ones I can't reach from the drops! How ironic! The hoods are shorter, if only because they are pure brakes rather than brifters.

I think hoods are pretty integral with the levers, but if you could switch out only the levers (are they more curved?) I don't think you'd need to unwrap and re-wrap the bars. You'd just have to pull the hood covers back and replace the lever itself. If you have to replace the whole she-bang, well, then you're looking at re-doing the bars. That really isn't too hard, it just takes a little time and patience. (ok, and a beer and some choice swear words and a couple breaks to pet the dog)