First question --

My road bike has "stock" brake pads -- whatever the LBS installs when they build the bikes, y'know? So I'm wondering if there's diferences in brake pads and I'd get more grip from some other brake pad? These work well enough, I'm sure, for the most part, and I'm probably being a bit silly, but I'd love to feel like they're doing a bit more to slow me down on a serious downhill run. Currently, if I'm on a downhill where I want to slow myself, my poor hands/forearms!

Maybe that's the way of things, but if it doesn't have to be, that would be so cool!

Now, Second question:

My old Trek hybrid has "traditional cantilever brakes." I don't know anything about the quality of them, just that I'm wondering if there's something else I could be installing instead. WAY too often, these buggers need to be adjusted because they're off center and rubbing on the wheels. If the "rules" are "once cantilever always cantilever" then what can I do to make this brake more reliable? I do want to be able to stop, but I also want to be able to GO!

Karen in Boise