The Dura-2 brake pads are narrower, and so are a better choice for rims with a narrow brake track. (I used "brake track" to refer to the area on the rim available for the brake pad to contact, not sure I'm using the right terminology) . I used the original Dura pads with Velocity Synergy rims, which have a generous brake track, they worked nicely. Now I'm using Velocity A23 rims, which have a pretty narrow brake track, so I'm using the Dura-2 brake pads with very good results. Overall braking performance seemed the same with either version.