Originally Posted by
Retro Grouch
Brakes are over rated. All they do is slow you down.
Seriously, I'm surprised you're getting sore arms from brakeing a road bike. Here's a couple of affordable things that you can try.
1. Try dressing the surface of your brake pads with a fingernail emery board.
2. If that doesn't work, try a set of Kool Stop brake pads.
3. Clean the rim while you're at it. Degrease and some steel wool would do the trick.