good v-brake pads.. ?

XT V brakes.. alloy rims.. what deal on pads offers the best smiles per mile..?

I don’t know if they’re on a deal, but IME Koolstop mixed pads work an absolute treat. The salmon/ orange portion clears the rim, and the black part grips like a grippy thing (or the other way round). Set them up right and they’re top notch, and don’t erode away too quickly either.

Plus you can buy them in cartridge or regular form.

Was also going to suggest KoolStop Salmon, use them on my cx bike – Keep Pedaling Manchester, stock them.

Yup, Koolstop dual compound here – last a long time and I think the design prolongs the life of the rim too.