when i bought my first trials bike it came with rubbish breaks standard no name 'v's with stubby little pads but i found simple things like whipping your rains down after a wet ride or just every now and then as part of maintenance would keep them working perfectly for the main part. i think the improvement in breaking equipment is simply taking the effort out of having relyable breaks. i have been out in the rain riding trials on my new bike with hs33's and a pair of zoo pads and the wheel hasn't budged at all (when i applied the brakes that is ) its human nature to strive for efficiancy.
