Will new brake levers improve braking?

[zombiemiked]

I have upgraded my road bike brakes to dual pull Shimano R650's. The difference from the original single pull calipers is amazing. I am wondering about getting new levers as well but an unsure if I will see any noticeable change in braking.

What do you guys think?

 

[HLaB]

If the original levers are plastic and your upgrading to metal, yes; otherwise no
Edit: The best upgrade are new pads, koolstops and swisstop are generally highly recommended, although personally I found they wore a little too fast.

 

[zombiemiked]

Thank you HLaB. I am currently running 105 pads. The levers are metal so I shall leave them until they cease to function.

 

[HLaB]

I ran similar Ultegra pads for a while, they lasted a long time but weren't great in the wet and left a black residue on the rims. I'm currently using Lifeline inserts and they seem good but they've only been on since the March so haven't seen much bad weather.

 

[zombiemiked]

I am seeing the same black residue but they are not too bad in the wet.