I think the Avenir Sticky Fingers pads are every bit as good as the Kool Stops. Have them both on my current MTB and at half the price the Avenir's are just as good. Their Caliper version is way better than any of the cheap carded block-type brakes pads. They have a funny shape, but are well made. They are threaded inside the pads and are fastened by a really nice Allen-head button bolt from the outside rather than the age-old tacky nut and washer system that has been used in caliper brakes since the turn of the century (19th century that is).