On my 105 single-pivot sidepulls, I've used:

- original 105 pads
- 600 Ultegra pads
- DA pads
- Matthausers (original KoolStops with finned holders)
- KoolStop salmon
- currently unknown Weinmann black pads

Most riding done with Mavic MA-40 rims or MA-2. Racing done on Arc En Ciel, Mavic GL280, Sun M19a, M19a-II or Saavedra Turbo260 rims. Never had any issues with going from 60mph to 20mph on downhills with a single-finger squeeze on the levers.

rekmeyata, note that I didn't say how much more lever-force is required between single versus dual-pivot levers. It just said that it does require more force. Personally, I don't like too much leverage as it makes modulation at the limit of adhesion more difficult. The difference between howling the front tyre and sliding is featherweight.

I think the major factor clouding the single versus dual-pivot discussions is testing controls. Most people will replace the levers and replace/overhaul their cables when changing out single to dual-pivot brakes. If you had old-style straight-pull levers with exposed cables, these have less leverage than aero-levers with hidden cables. Just changing the levers alone while retaining the same crusty cables and single-pivot calipers will result in a 1.2-1.3x increase in leverage. Then add in new teflon-lined housing when you changed to dual-pivots will again add another variable to the mix.

The final result may be you get a 2.0x increase in squeeze-force at the rims for a given squeeze-force at the levers. But it's not all due to the dual-pivot calipers. I'd surmize it's more of 1.25x with the lever change, 1.3x with new cables and maybe 1.25x with dual-pivot calipers. So fairly even contributions at each stage gives 1.25*1.3*1.25 = ~2x double the clamping force. Of course this won't change actual braking-distances much as that's limited by the adhesion limit of the front-tyre.