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In wet conditions, my current brakes are pretty poor. Without switching to disc brakes, what are my options for v-brake pads that work better in the wet?
I'm only thinking about this for my commuting bike, which is mostly a flat ride to and from work. But sometimes the rain can get pretty heavy this time of year.
I've had good luck (with cantilever brakes) with Velo Orange's Squeal-Free Brake pads, but many people say that the Salmon compound brake pads from Kool Stop are the best choice for wet conditions. The dual-compound Kool Stops are a good idea, since supposedly they work well in all conditions...
My LBS stocks brands, but Kool Stop is a much more usual brand of brake pad to carry.
In general: any brake pads that say they're made for wet conditions.
Your best bet is to switch to a different compound of brake pad. Your LBS should carry winter pads which may work better in the weather conditions you're asking.
I personally reccomend using switchable brake pads like these: http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/UNBVPNN3C
They last pretty long.
It is also useful to clean them after muddy ride or use a file to clean its surface (it should be flat).
