I have only had problems stopping with CAMPAGNOLO pads.
There is a steep 11% grade near my house, and it's 2 blocks long and about 25 houses long. I nearly freaked out the first time I went down on my ALAN because I realized that my Campagnolo Gransport brakes would slow - but not stop - my bicycle on this grade.
I ditched those pads and installed Shimano M505's and more recently, Jagwires in the Campy Holders - no probs!
- Don Gillies San Diego, CA, USA
P.S. My favorite brakes are weinmann 610's, but they can also be dangerous with dried-out pads. I have never had problems stopping on a bike with fresh pads - vintage or modern.