I currently have Diacompe BRS 101 brakes on my touring bike. I measure 65mm from the centre of the bolt on the brake bridge to the bottom of the rim's braking surface. The Diacompe's reach is 43-57mm. With the pads at the bottom of the arms, the pads are at the top of the braking surface. I want to get new brakes that are better (some problems noted below), and have slightly longer reach so that the pads sit a little lower on the rim.

I was looking at a couple of Tektro models (R539 47-57mm reach; R559 53-73mm reach), and as the 539 have the same longest point of reach as the Diacompe's I guess I'll need the longer R559 model. With regards to measuring for reach, does it make sense that I measure it at 65mm (bottom of braking surface) though the Diacompe's longest point is 57mm (I know I'm measuring to the bottom of the rim)? I want to make sure I'm measuring this correctly so that when I buy new brakes they fit well.

Are there other options with respect to long reach brakes? I've heard good things about the Tektros. I'm pairing them with Tektro R200 levers. I'm ok with the feel of the levers, but not sure if there is better out there.

Edit - one other question, the brakes are currently mounted via a recessed screw, will a nutted assembly work? I would prefer this in any case as it's easier to mount fenders (tried with the recessed and didn't have enough space).

Now the problems - I find the brakes difficult to adjust. Everytime I use the quick release on the brakes to clean the pads, or remove the wheel, I find that when I push the quick release back in the pads are no longer centered (pad on one side not springing out from the rim). I'm then playing around with the centering screw until they're better. I have completely disasembled the brakes, cleaned them, and put them back together...and I have new salmon pads in there. I'm happy with the braking power since adding the kook stop pads. Also, the brakes feel spongy at the lever - like a hydraulic brake that isn't bled properly. In terms of other rim brakes, the 105 and Ultegra brakes I have on other bikes have nicer action at the lever, good spring away from the rim and are easy to adjust. Of course they wouldn't fit this bike.