Vs are great brakes, and compared to many cantis, outperform them handily. Considering that the rise of cantis in throughout the '80s came about when single pivot side pull calipers (and the remains of center pulls) were in wide use--with their middling stopping power--it makes sense that Vs would be better (we'd hope so!). The rise of Vs, IIRC, came about as dual pivot side pull calipers were introduced more or less. Two (more or less) simultaneous, markedly-improved, braking systems replacing their predecessors. The best cantis I've come across and am currently using--thanks to the bike's canti post setup allowing it, if only just!--is Tektro's CR720 model. Great look, fully adjustable, tremendous power (I use road levers, same stopping power as top level short or standard reach dual pivots like Dura-Ace or R600), and best of all, zero squealing in dry, damp, or fully wet conditions.