So - my bmx has some generic side pull front brake. bit like this

they are, frankly, aweful. I can pedal the bike along with two fingers holding the lever in.
I've tried the generic things - replacing cables, replaced pads with softer ones, but its still crap
is there any way to tune side-pull brakes? I'm guessing there must be some way? I Just use the bike as a town bike so don't need anything awesome, I'd just like to be able to stop if a car pulls out
alternitively, are there any other, better brakes that only require a center pivot (I suppose I could mount a v-brake plate but I suspect that's be a bit crap.
Ta for any help
H

