If your brake lever is coming to the handlebar before endoing you there is something dangerously wrong with it regardless of the brake type. It is possible that you get poor braking while applying maximum force on the brakes but getting the lever all the way to the bar points that there is something wrong with brake setup. Check this thoroughly by yourself, or have it checked at a shop.

As of degreaser I use a "standard automotive" solvent used for washing car engines, industry machinery parts etc. It evaporates extremely fast and leaves no residue. For cleaning rims it behaves much like alcohol (mentioned in this thread) but it is several times cheaper.