What tbo says is true, but personally, I don't change the brakes or rims on my Raleighs. Salmon Kool Stops do work very well, but they're expensive. I'm perfectly happy with the old fashioned steel brakes and rims on my bikes even with the cheaper grey pads.The trick to getting good braking from these bikes is to have a good cable adjustment, fresh pads, true wheels and a very clean surface on the rims for the pads to grip.