Both good points. The thing is, though, I find that BB7s, if not adjusted correctly, can be lethal. I assume the same of BB5s. By that I mean for new riders, who are unaware that they need to constantly adjust the calipers as the pads wear, the brakes can lose a huge amount of stopping power. Even for experienced riders, they can sometimes catch you out. I'm remembering a particular day, coming downhill, taking a wrong turn down a sharply steep little hill into some guy's factory yard with three or four agressive dogs tied up but straining at their leashes wanting to have a chew on me, and yanking the brakes on with full power, only to realize that I'd been wearing at them all ride and they were suddenly utterly ineffective. I stopped within 30-50 cms of some grumpy big assed dog going nuts for a taste of cyclist. BB7s are reliable, provided you are very attentive to adjustments.