A Tale of Two Surlys

Doubt you'd be able to take the lever out and leave the adjuster. Look at pieces for the Paul levers to give you an idea why: http://www.paulcomp.com/crosslever.html

Guy at polo has an end-of-noodle or adapted inline adjuster that apparently works well. Will ask for more details tomorrow or Sunday and see if it's still working.

... ah yes... the barrel adjuster seems to be on the lever?

I guess I could use standard v-brake levers, like Shimano Deore - but they stick out quite a lot more so would start to become clunky again...

Noodle-adjusters are looking like a winner, will be interested to hear what the Polo guy has got!