Originally Posted by
saddlesores
methinks there are a few who argue that with properly set up and adjusted rim brakes with quality pads, there is no appreciable effective difference in stopping power.
I had not considered that tangent.
From my experience that isn't the case. But I would be willing to argue that for my touring needs rim brakes do well enough so that disc's don't add a "necessary" difference.
I would not decline a bike for touring based upon it's brakes, except for my first bike that had stamped calipers that really didn't work. Other than that most brakes work well enough for touring.. for me.