Originally Posted by
dddd
I was referring to the brake pad force generating side-load and off-axis twisting to the caliper pivot, which causes friction in the pivot's free rotation.
The shorter the arm (i.e. the shorter the load path from the pad to the pivot), the less friction results in the caliper pivot and the more responsive the brakes act in response to changes in force at the brake lever.
Ah yes, perfectly clear now!