i see your in essex....now im not sure how close this place is to you coz im about 600 miles away but it might be of use


http://www.wadescycles.co.uk/shop/as...ikes&showtop=1

have a browse throught them,theres some decent ones in there.as for the brake question i had magura hydralic rim brakes on my last 2 bikes...not everyones cup of tea but i liked em