Are you running the bias adjuster with that as well.
IME the handbrake is always w**k on those Bendix calipers. It's not like I've not had experience with those calipers either (Pug 106 GTi, 306 GTi and now my Clio). On my 306 TD and Pug 205 1.6 GTi the handbrake was far far superior, and given the Clio's weakness for breaking the handbrake mounting point (I've seen a few broken and my 1.4 suffered this) I'm not a fan of yanking the lever harder either...
My RS Turbo is still on drums on the back and that brakes better than the Clio. OTOH it is lighter (around 1000kg) and it is running Cosworth brakes up front (comparable to a Clio; both are around 280mm). If I am honest I wouldn't want more braking power on the Escort; it's more than good enough as it is ; yet the willy wavers will say to go to discs on the back despite tails of the rear end locking up etc, double bias valves (no I am not joking!)
We literally pulled the full setup off a 182, dropped the beam, fitted new sensors as the sport ones don't work on a non sport, fitted new pads and bolted it on and then connected and bled everything
I'm honestly really happy with it, I never planned on the conversion, but circumstances meant I needed a new rear beam so I thought it be a good subtle upgrade
Haven't had a problem other than replacing a calliper after breaking the bleed nipple
IMO drums are more than enough for any non sport, and yeah as you say, many more powerful older cars and new cars are fitted with drums, they can't be crap!
I half wanted the performance, but also drums look embarrassing imo, disks showing through my BBS look much better [emoji12] [emoji3]