Originally Posted by
pastorbobnlnh
My hands are strong, it's just through trail and era that I've found that by backing the brake blocks away from the rims more than I used to back in the '70s, achieves better overall braking modulation. It's what works for me with older style calipers and centerpulls. FWIIW, this does not apply to the new V brakes on MTBs and hybrid/comfort bikes. On those it looks as if the brake pads are touching the rims.
So now you're saying that spacing the pads away from the rim increases both leverage and modulation? Are you sure? I'm not quite ready to loosen up the brakes on all of my bikes yet.