Why are road brakes so cr*p?

Try a bike with rod brakes and chromed steel rims and you’ll see what I mean.

I always thought chrome rims locked up better than normal ones. This was the case when I was bmx’ing anyway.

You shouldn’t be having any issues with Ultegras. They’re superb brakes, any more powerful and you’ll simply lock up all the time.
They’re a road racing brake and do a great job.

Check to see if the caliper moves the millisecond you pull the lever.
Avoid silly short runs.
Don’t ever use plastic outer cable ferrules.
Clean you rims.
Balance the stirrup.
Don’t over tighten the caliper to the frame. Torque correctly or else you’ll squash the mechanicals together.
What rims are you using and what state are they in before you try new pads. Some rims have dreadful braking surfaces.

Because most roadies have never tried a hydraulic brake, therefore don’t know that brakes can be better, therefore don’t demand better brakes.

This seems to have been taken slightly wrongly.

Possibly because this bit is tosh!

nobody’s said: brake from the drops.

So,my advice is: brake from the drops.though I do resent the road brake slander,even the modolo 1970s stuff on my bianchi is fine.
so stop whining.

unless you’re riding rod brakes.still got some beach bikes with those.
on chromed rims of course.never rains though.

Dura Ace brakes here of a 1998 vintage and my brakes are plenty powerful enough, even when switching from the disc braked mtb.