Originally Posted by JohnDThompson

Brake pads aren't the only thing that affects brake performance. Mechanical advantage is also important. Some levers have higher mechanical advantage than others, dual pivot and centerpull calipers have higher mechanical advantage than sidepull calipers, and where the pads are positioned in the calipers also affects mechanical advantage: pads positioned at the bottom of the adjustment slot will have lower mechanical advantage than pads positioned at the tops of the slots, although frame design and wheel diameter are what determines pad placement in the slot.

But back to brake pads: Kool Stop "salmon" pads have more "grab" than generic black pads in my experience. If you want to improve brake performance, the Kool Stop pads can make a difference.