I am looking to replace a ~15 year old rim brake set. Any recommendations what would be a good upgrade for rim brakes?

I've seen an Avid set on cycle-cross bikes that would be good, but it pushes $250.

Discs are not an option, frame won't take them so rim only.. any other recommednations?
Thanks

You need to give us more info. Maybe pictures of the current brakes so we can see what you have, and what the bike will take.

Hello. I'm sorry, afraid I may not be able to provide too many specifics and the bike is in the shop so I don't have pictures.

It is a Santana frame from 1994. The brakes are center pull caliper cable-actuated brakes, I believe from around 1997 or 1998. The brakes do mount to a single point above the wheel. The brake shoes look like regular brake shoes for center-pull calliper brakes. I do not know the brand of brakes.

As this frame is not disc brake ready and this brake system is old I wanted to get a top notch brake system to replace it with. These are 700cc wheels and I plan on running 27mm Gatorskins.
The tech at the shop said he would recommend some Avid brakes that are popular with the cycle-cross riders. At $250'ish I just want to make sure I've tried to explore options, that's why I posted.
Thanks for the reply, I do appreciate it.

If it had canti/v-brake posts I could have been of more help. There are a lot of options for caliper brakes, but I'm far from an expert. I'm sure others will be along to help. However, I can't believe that you would have to spend anywhere close to $250 to get good brakes to fit your frame.

Yes, $250 seems high but I really don't know what a good quality set of brakes goes for.

The most effective rim brakes are V-brakes, aka linear pull brakes. https://www.sram.com/avid/products/si...it-5-rim-brake But if you do not have bosses to mount the brakes on the fork and frame (and brake levers that pull enough cable) they will not work for you. We have Avid SD5 on our T50 - the handle us (500+lbs team) with no issues. Less than $50- plus cables, and labor.

With the single mounting bolt configuration; dual pivot calipers are the best. https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brake-calipers.html I have Tektro R559 and R539 on two bikes. The stop as well as linear pull brakes, but require more force on the lever. Read the information on the link carefully, measure your bike, and also determine if you need "nutted" or recessed. $70- plus cables and labor.

Replace your brake cables - make sure to properly lubricate them.

The Avid and Tektro pads are quite good. Kool Stop Salmon are better (best ?); but I can't tell the difference.

Thanks for the replies, I do appreciate the feedback.

I talked to some people and then talked to the mechanic working on the bike again. I decided to go ahead with the Avids the mechanic recommended for $220. He said these are the best Avids and many cyclecross racers use them - the very ones a racer right there in the shop uses. As one day I may be flying down a mountain in the rain I count the extra $100 it will cost to get these 'best' brakes over a very good brake set as piece of mind - worth it to me right now.

So, I see you have a Miyata, Nigel. I still regret selling my '85 912 10 years ago for $100...
Thanks again, I appreciate it. Happy riding!

We utilize Dura Ace caliper brake on front and Tektro Mini-V on rear of our tandem.
Koolstop Eagle-2 brakepads on rear and (the original) D/A pads on front with 34,000+ miles on the odo.
Works great for us even in hilly Arizona.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Interesting.. I'm sure 27mm tires would fit. Any idea if those would mount and function on a '94 Ti Center Cantilever bike?

If you don't mind the look and want to keep the same type of brake these stop really well: https://www.rodcycle.com/