Originally Posted by
reburns
On our Speedster with Wound Up fork, I am using Shimano XTR v-brakes (the old style with parallelogram structure) and SwissStop green pads (which are now no longer available, I am sorry to say, as they are quiet, rim friendly, and very powerful even when wet. They also last forever. I have spares in stock, but at some point I will have to get holders that take normal road caliper pads so I can use SwissStop’s latest compounds)
We have Avid Single Digit 7 V-brakes. Funny that you should ask about the pads. I bought a pile of SwissStop GHP2 green pads back in 2015, still have a few pair. Sure enough, they don't make them anymore. I don't know what tandems are using for V-brake pads now. Those were the best ever, though riders with calipers liked the blue pads better, but they never made a blue V-brake pad. I don't remember the number for the blue pads.
With our brakes, I don't see how a booster would help. I can pull full strength on the levers and not bottom them out by about an inch. Can't do any better than that. I built a special touring rear with a drum brake, back when one could find them on ebay. Only used it on steep descents when loaded.