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I felt that I was getting very unresponsive braking from my Shimano mechanical calipers, so substituted a larger rotor size to achieve just enough braking response.
Many mechanical calipers get installed poorly aligned with the rotor, such that much lever travel is lost to flexing the caliper sideways or actually twisting it. Be sure that there is absolutely minimal movement of the rotor as the pads engage, or fix the alignment until this is the case. Some installations will require filing of the mounting surfaces, which is a very time-consuming, iterative process!
Some installations use swivel washers between the caliper and the mounting, and some do not or use these washers only under the bolt head, I kid you not!
Adding these washers where not originally specified may push the pads outward of the rotor surface, causing off-center contact and odd noises, so be sure that the original installation is keeping the pads centered on the disc's friction surface path.
I always inspect caliper alignment and adjustment outside, in the sun, so that there is a bright background that illuminates the gaps to either side of the disc. This visual inspection actually allows for very accurate adjustment of the very small gaps and of the caliper's alignment with the rotor.
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