OK.. right back at ya.. You've listed your other post, thanks. It's thoughtfull of you to've given the head's-up.... really ! WELCOME too by the way.
The fellow in the other post address some of your questions, I can't improve on that. LBS + Local Bike Shops are for sure the best place to deal with the brakes, other things as well. It's funny though, for many years, since 700c wheels have gained popularity, LBSs focus little on that size. The odd time they've had them in stock, the few they had were skinny and light treads.
www.biketiresdirect.com even if you choose otherwise, is a clear site to use as ref. as well as OK prices. Other sites will come-up here and there but this site is handy. I'm originally from your way, snow's a drag. Any 27" wheeled bike I've had (many,many) will accept anything from a 1" (actually less in some cases) to 1 + 1/4 which is fatter than you may think. I like that Kenda Kross Cyclo myself, never used it but..