"Suicide brake levers are the ones on old ten speeds with drop handle bars. The standard brake handle is located at the bend in the bar, while the "suicide lever" comes under and parallels the top bar. If they were straightened out, they would be about 8" long. These are what I have. Should I just file off those levers? As a teen, these were all I used. In fact, I did not want a bike without them, because I didn't think I could get to the standard brake lever in timeto stop.

The other levers are short, about 4" long, the entire lever is located at the horizontal bar, and functions by a separate cable. These are safe? Are they common? I would really hate to rely on them, and then later, have to get used to them being gone. I might react automatically in a situation and NO BRAKE!

Mary