Interesting but not necessarily something I would completely agree with. Area of contact does have an impact on stopping power, I think. Also, the above formula missed a really big factor - hand strength. Hand strength..?

I learned a long time ago that my hands, those of a professional tradesman, are, usually, a heck of a lot stronger in grip than a small woman's hands (I am not trying to be a chauvinist with that comment). Many of the ladies that have purchased bikes from me or from B4H find the vintage brakes hard to reach and apply with force.

That's my two bits worth, eh.