This is a pair of new-old-stock Dia-Compe brake levers in the non-aero design (which means the brake cables will "exit" through the top of the levers, as opposed to being wrapped under the bar tape...as is so common with today's road bikes). I acquired some of these levers that did not include factory matched brake hoods, so I decided to install some of my extra AME branded purple/lavender colored brake hoods on them. I have elected to do this, because these aftermarket hoods are a good fit and improve the function of these vintage lever sets. I suppose there is the convenience factor as well, as offering brake levers without hoods then requires folks to source such hoods elsewhere.

Please also note this offering does include the matching non-aero cable housing stops...just as pictured. The cable opening at the top of each brake lever (and underneath the rubber hood) measures about 8 mm in diameter. On this same topic, we want to clarify that when we say "cable stops" we are not referring to the newer ferrules that are common today, which are typically the same diameter as the cable housing. Many of today's newer levers have built-in cable stops, so smaller ferrules are all that is needed. However, for many of these old stock brake levers (these levers included), a separate oversized cable stop is required that will slip over the cable housing...just as do the newer (and smaller) ferrules noted above...with the big difference being that these cable stops "flare-out" at their ends to provide a platform that rests on the top of these vintage brake levers (and underneath the rubber hoods).

As noted above, we have acquired enough of these oversized cable stops to include a set with each offering. We will include them in a small plastic bag, so please look for it in the package, as you will need these stops to properly install the levers.

In terms of condition, I see some light shopwear on the silver finish of these levers and the hoods may have some light/faint marks on them, but I can confirm the hoods are still soft/pliable. Although, I want to be clear, this is not a Dia-Compe lever set with factory matched Dia-Compe branded hoods. The hoods installed on these Dia-Compe levers are AME branded, and while the fit is very good, these are still aftermarket brake hoods made to fit on these levers. So functionally, there are no problems here, but cosmetically, we have a bit of a mix-n-match set in terms of branding/labeling.