Before reading that I could have just replaced the pads on my Tektro brakes I upgraded the front to 105. Holy crap what a difference. I have to brake with a light touch now, the 105's are capable of locking my front wheel at just about any speed I've been going while practicing with them.
I suspect they are out of adjustment. Without being snarky to the OP, you do have the calipers set to their 'closed' position as opposed to 'open' for removing the wheel? That's something I had to become aware of when switching to a road bike from a hybrid.