The best replacement for levers is knobs.

The best alternatives to levers are rated as following:
★★★★★  knobs
★★★  pazzo
★  crg
★  long levers
★  standard levers
★  asv
  pulleys

Your alternative for levers is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about levers, one probably shouldn't forget about cantilever brakes.

Other search terms related to levers and their ratings are:
★★★★★ cantilever brakes
★★★★ v brakes
★★★★ saint calipers
★★★ fulcrum
★ disc brakes
★ mechanical advantage
★ campagnolo brakes
internal throttle
shifters
road brakes
sram brakes
v-brakes
You have in mind a companion for levers and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of levers in all years. Click on graph for more.
levers
knobs
pazzo