Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
Squeeze harder... Don't get leverage-ratios mixed up with deceleration-rate. Stickier pads will give you higher-deceleration for the same lever-force. Up to the limits of adhesion of the front-tyre. Even with crappy brakes, you can reach that limit by squeezing harder. Also make sure that your cable isn't adjusted to tight, you want the lever to be close to the bar, but not quite touching it when you're at maximum-braking. Your fingers are stronger when they're closed and it's easier to modulate the lever-force as well.
I agree. Personally, I've never seen a set of brakes I couldn't lock up, even on old crappy bikes. If you can lock 'em, you're stopping as fast as your tire will allow. Not to mention which - I'd rather not have the touchiest brakes around. Rather they didn't lock until I'm ready.
+1 on adjusting the cable. I'd add that it's also likely that it's too loose - last time I got pissed at my brakes, it's because I had the lever all the way extended but it still wasn't enough to engage the brakes sufficiently. Glad I tightened the cable before I bothered replacing the brakes, fixed the problem.
I'd say in general, with typical road bike tires...the brake pads, assuming they're in good condition, are almost never going to be the limiting issue in your ability to stop. Your tires will be the limiting device.