Long vs short brake pads

[rice rocket]

What's the difference in mechanics for long pads vs short ones?

I have mini-Vs, and Kool Stop makes short "cross pads" that are like the length of a regular road pad, but they also make longer ones for "regular" V-brakes.

The mini-Vs came with long pads, but a shorter pad should be stiffer (which is ultimately what I'm looking for, since the whole system is a whole bunch of mush currently).


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51mHNV8s86L._SL500_AA300_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Edr7HP7VL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Thoughts?

Here are the items in question:

http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Threaded-Triple-Compound/dp/B0025UJYFA
http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Bicycle-V-Type-Compound/dp/B001T35RSC

[Mark McM]

One simple difference, at least on front brakes, is that there often isn't clearance between the fork leg and the rim for the longer pads. The longer end of the pad extends backwards, which would make it overlap the fork blade. Ocassionally this is also a concern on the rear brake for clearance between the seat stays and the front part of the pad.

Long brake pads are move often found on bikes designed for fat tires (MTBs, hybrids, 'cross bikes, etc.), which have more tire clearance at the forks and stays, and therefore more clearance between rim and forks and stays.