I am considering getting those levers on my new bike. I miss them even though I haven't ridden my old 10 speed for 25 years. My hands naturally go there to brake although I'm sure I'll get used to moving to the hoods pretty soon. Thank for clarifying that they are safer now. My LBS guy also said they were much better made now that the old days, although they were discouraging me from getting them installed. I think they are just road bike purists who don't like messing with the intent of the bike...