Brake pad brand and use

englertracing · Mar 16, 2021

bullcrew said:
BRAKE PAD BRAND AND COMPOUND!
I gained weight and need more from brakes apparently...had em smoking they were cheap pads and 203/180 rotor combo...clocked over 45mph on street on big bike plus 240lbs of me......wouldn't push faster didn't trust brakes...t in the road had to slam the brakes on....needless to say they were smoking and front pad disintegrated....

Mid/big bike formula the one 220/203 rotor combo now
Big bike code 4 pot 220/203 rotor

So EBC red. Galfer Green, truckco, swiss stop, jagwire, koolstop, Clark's, trickstuff

Whats the take on best pad replacement for the stoppers.

Formula Metallic on the ones the others for that brake are junk knock off shit.

The pads don't matter on the sram brakes, they will never slow you down properly.... those brakes belong on a wallmart or Costco bike

canadmos · Mar 16, 2021

I really like my Shimano metal finned pads. They always work very well, until they suddenly don't.

OGRipper · Mar 16, 2021

Personally I think Codes with SRAM metal pads work just fine (in terms of consistency and power) for my 195 lbs, but they need to be less than 50% worn and have a pretty fresh bleed (and (duh) clean pistons). They really start to suffer once the pistons need more extension from pads that are worn more than that. That said, curious if you have better luck with other pads.

Nick · Mar 16, 2021

I'm used to metal Shimano pads, or EBC Red pads for DH. I'm not a super fatty and don't ride stupid fast.

canadmos · Mar 16, 2021

Did you go from 45mph to a stop suddenly or a gradual slow down?

I would almost think that stopping on a road is more abusive to your brakes than on a trail. On trail, you're usually going slower and don't use the brakes for super extended amounts of time* and usually its just to scrub speed, not come to a full stop.

I'd be inclined to try Sram metal or the Trickstuff pads.

*unless riding long steep stuff dragging them. but in that situation you'd probably feel them fade before the pads go nuclear, no?

troy · Mar 16, 2021

Been using RWD pads on my brakes. Best pads I've ever used. Not sure if they still make bike pads, as their website seems to be dead/not updated for a long time.

Race Winning Designs Disc Brake Pads | RWD HIGH PERFORMANCE braking products for the cycling industry specialising in Disc Brake Pads and Racing Brake Fluid.

RWD | Race Winning Designs are specialist braking components manufacturers. We have developed a new range of disc brake pads and brake fluid for the MTB market.

www.rwdbrakes.com

Carraig042 · Mar 16, 2021

Have used disco brakes pads for a long time now. They have several different compounds to choose from for most brakes out there. Set of 4 costs about what a single oem costs.

Bikael Molton · Mar 16, 2021

I like EBC HH. The Reds burn out too fast.

Shimano metal when I used Shimano brakes.

ZHendo · Mar 16, 2021

Has anyone here tried MTX? Been eyeing their gold pads to replace the rather-easy-to-glaze pads on my Dominion A4s. Steve Vanderhoeck is apparently supported by them and he definitely likes to do things where decent brakes matter so as not to die a horrible death, so maybe that's a solid athlete endorsement?

Gold Label HD Brake Pads - MTX Braking

A premium ceramic brake pad compound for mountain and road bikes designed to provide outstanding performance across all conditions.

mtxbraking.com

dovbush66 · Mar 16, 2021

Used a few brands-

Nukeproof sintered on gen1 codes. No complaints. Worked nice, same as stock but cheaper

Nukeproof resin pads on formula ROs. Felt a bit worse than stock

Uberbike sintered on ROs. First set on par with stock performance wise, second set was worse. Idk

Stock formula resin (2 and 4 piston sizes)- nice until it rains

Stock formula sintered (2 piston)- work good but glaze too easy when riding park

Trickstiff power pads on ROs and Curas
Liked them a lot. Bit more bite, worked well in all conditions but fast wear

Hayes dominion resin- not amazing, and they hate the wet and Irish slime mud

Hayes dominion sintered(2 piston) work great in all conditions but glazed over real quick. Will see how the next set gets on. Curious to try other brands if anyone else has any recs

OGRipper · Mar 16, 2021

Good info, thanks. How you liking those Dominions? I keep hearing good things but haven't been able to try them.

ZHendo · Mar 17, 2021

OGRipper said:
Good info, thanks. How you liking those Dominions? I keep hearing good things but haven't been able to try them.

I bought some Dominion A4s to up the power from my old TRP Quadiem G-Spec, and they've delivered. The aesthetics aren't my favorite, but performance is really excellent. So far they are the closest thing I've found to the solid feel and reliability of the Quadiems, but with significantly more power. I like the slightly thicker than normal rotor (same as Magura, I think), I thought about trying the new TRP DH brakes but they were hard to track down. Lever feel is ridiculously light, sealed bearings at the lever pivot are nice as well. I honestly haven't met anyone who has tried them and been disappointed, and they're becoming increasingly popular on bikes around here (PNW).

Like I mentioned above, the metallic pads glazing is something several other guys I know have experienced so I'm eager to try an alternative like those MTX pads.

jackalope · Mar 17, 2021

I'm on TRP Quads for my AM and my Trail bike, and I run Shimano metals, which is convenient since I run 810 Saints on my DH bike, so 1 pad to rule them all. In my experience, the Shimano metals provided moar stoppie power than the stock TRP resins, roughly equating to the same power of my Saints - but with much better modulation. I think TRP has a metal pad now themselves, but I keep using the Shimanos since I bought a "prepper-load" awhile back.

jackalope · Mar 17, 2021

Obligatory YMMV, but I don't recall having a glazing issue with the Shimano metals (D02S model number btw) in my TRPs - but again these are on my non-gnar bikes, which don't see a lot of sustained descents in my part of the world. Modulation with the TRPs is always excellent, which is a massively underrated brake aspect IMO, especially when you're tired and/or dealing with steep & slippery stuff (the most powerful brake in galaxy is useless when its locked up all the time). I'd say my TRPs are very close to my 810 Saints in terms of ultimate power, although they're giving up some because they're on smaller rear rotors and the DH bike has strong sized 26" hoops, so a little less wheel lever.

The TRP lever ergonomics are OK, especially if you have biggish hands, but not as natural as say the Guides I have on my hardtail. They're a little better than my 810 Saints, but thats a low bar. No lever wiggle, they're easy to bleed, and they've been hella reliable.

Having tried Subopt's newer model Zees, I think they definitely lose the super, ball-stopping power contest, but it's pretty nice they never just go to the fucking bar and try to kill you (i.e. The "Feature"). Which brings up an interesting question for @kidwoo

Which way would you rather die?

A.) sudden crabon handlebar failure
B.) sudden Shimano non-existent bite point
C.) suddenly smothered in Loco's bare chest
D.) Yes

canadmos · Mar 17, 2021

jackalope said:
A.) sudden crabon handlebar failure
B.) sudden Shimano non-existent bite point
C.) suddenly smothered in Loco's bare chest
D.) Yes

Bacon

marshalolson · Mar 17, 2021

Larger human (215lbs) riding long steep, rough, dry trails here, and been on a brake quest the last few years myself.

(1) I glaze sintered pads (namely: Shimano, EBC Gold, Formula) way too fast to use them any longer.

(2) By far, my favorite pads in performance are EBC reds, but they are getting harder to find, and I burn through them every month (approx 50,000 vert descending). I buy 10 sets when I find em at a decent price (~$15) to last the summer. The Magura Race pads are similar if you are an MT5/7 user.

(3) The stock Shimano resin pads, the Kool-Stop organic pads, and the TrickStuff power pads are pretty good in dry/dusty terrain, but all have a little less grab than the EBC Red, in my experience. I happily run any of these, as I get 2x the life from the pad, and it usually costs about the same (<$20 per pad). The Magura Performance pads are similar if you are an MT5/7 user.

(4) There are pads I have learned to avoid at all costs (take forever to bed in, can be loud, less bite, etc): namely, TRP resin, Tuckerco, off-brand eBay pads, etc. They don't work well... loud, no grip, etc. Saving $5-7 in pads and winding up with crappy performance is insane.

In short, the most readily available, not expensive, that fit most brakes, with functional pad surface, for me, is actually the Kool Stop organics (red backing plate). I clean my rotor with alcohol and take 15min riding around the driveway bedding them in, they are good to go. Not sexy, but they just work (for me). I just buy them on Ebay, usually around $15-17/set.

Currently riding 2 pair of TRP brakes, which work awesome - less initial bite than some others and 30g "heavy", but amazing control on really loose steep dry trail, and the rear only needed 1 quick lever bleed all of last summer (300k vert), which is way better than normal for me.

I hope that helps.

jonKranked · Mar 17, 2021

so i'm getting my DH bike running for the summer, and it has Saint M800 brakes (first gen, the version that was reliable). truckstuff still has pads for them, but only in the ECO compound. worth it at ~$8 a set? or look elsewhere? just for the local bike park which isn't very steep, and no racing.

ZHendo · Mar 17, 2021

bullcrew said:
How do you like the trp brakes i just heard of em 2 weeks ago?

How do they compare to saints?

I rode TRP Quadiems for 3 seasons and never had to bleed them for any performance issue. I bled them a couple of times just because its an easy Shimano-like process, but it was really a "I guess I should probably bleed these?" scenario versus noticing any appreciable difference in performance. Modulation is truly excellent, I found the lever very comfortable and quite stiff/substantial compared to some of the more flimsy lever designs out there, and they just feel really solid. The downside is the outright power isn't quite there compared to other options, they're less powerful than most other 4POT brakes mentioned commonly (Codes, Saints, Dominions). That's why TRP redesigned them, and I've heard amazing things about the new ones but couldn't track them down amidst COVID supply issues.

I know a lot of people love Saints, but they're probably the last brake I'd want to run these days. Shimano's wandering bite point issue is downright scary and it makes me ride more conservatively as a result. The power is great, but pair the bite point issue with the self-contaminating weepy pistons and I'm staying clear away from those brakes until they have a massive overhaul. I know loads of people still run them for the power, but with a brake like the Dominion getting incredible close, if not equal, to Saint power, there's no reason to deal with the Shimano BS anymore.

kidwoo · Mar 17, 2021

re: modulation

I'll still never understand the "mah brakys so strong I can't keep from lockin em up!!"

The punchiest brakes I've ever used are always the easiest to drag because it doesn't take any effort. I think people that learn to ride scary things in snot mud and dust land just learn how to brake. That's what I'm going with.

jackalope · Mar 17, 2021

kidwoo said:
re: modulation

I'll still never understand the "mah brakys so strong I can't keep from lockin em up!!"

The punchiest brakes I've ever used are always the easiest to drag because it doesn't take any effort. I think people that learn to ride scary things in snot mud and dust land just learn how to brake. That's what I'm going with.

Dunno, I've ridden in Snowshoe space mud and super dusty rock slabs in Whistler, and I've always preferred a brake that doesn't lock up if a starving gnat runs into the brake lever. Its one thing to drag brakes on a longish descent, but quite another when you need to drop anchor in fits and starts. Have always ridden with pants on, so maybe thats my problem.

jstuhlman · Mar 17, 2021

jackalope said:
Have always ridden with pants on.

THAT YOU CAN REMEMBER

Westy · Mar 17, 2021

kidwoo said:
re: modulation

I'll still never understand the "mah brakys so strong I can't keep from lockin em up!!"

The punchiest brakes I've ever used are always the easiest to drag because it doesn't take any effort. I think people that learn to ride scary things in snot mud and dust land just learn how to brake. That's what I'm going with.

I've never understood the desire for more power out of a brake, at least not In the last decade.

I like having fine modulation because not because I can't stop from locking them up, but because I like to apply very small amounts of rear brake through corners.

kidwoo · Mar 17, 2021

jackalope said:
super dusty rock slabs in Whistler,

that's not real dust

Snowshoe is exactly what I was thinking of however. And my standard is and always has been not the impact of a gnat, but the fart of a gnat in the next county over.

Punchy brakes are strong brakes. And the stronger the brake the lazier I can be with less effort. People just get used to feeling brakes engage and then KEEP SQUEEZING for some reason. I mean you can feel through your arms and feet when your brakes hit. That's the feedback you adjust from. That's part of the reason people get so touchy (get it?) about wandering bite points. It makes using the range of power unpredictable.

Stupid strong brakes that don't require a lot of squeeze past engagement make for more efficient riding in my world. Less effort means I can use my popeye arms for running into shit instead of moving fingers all over the range to feather. The closer I can keep that bite point to a five finger death grip on the bars the safer all hikers and equestrians in the area will be.

When I felt my first pair of V-brakes in like 1995 my response was "too strong, gonna flip"

jstuhlman · Mar 17, 2021

gonna agree with the pantsless one on this...

jonKranked · Mar 17, 2021

kidwoo said:
that's not real dust

Snowshoe is exactly what I was thinking of however. And my standard is and always has been not the impact of a gnat, but the fart of a gnat in the next county over.

Punchy brakes are strong brakes. And the stronger the brake the lazier I can be with less effort. People just get used to feeling brakes engage and then KEEP SQUEEZING for some reason. I mean you can feel through your arms and feet when your brakes hit. That's the feedback you adjust from. That's part of the reason people get so touchy (get it?) about wandering bite points. It makes using the range of power unpredictable.

Stupid strong brakes that don't require a lot of squeeze past engagement make for more efficient riding in my world. Less effort means I can use my popeye arms for running into shit instead of moving fingers all over the range to feather. The closer I can keep that bite point to a five finger death grip on the bars the safer all hikers and equestrians in the area will be.

When I felt my first pair of V-brakes in like 1995 my response was "too strong, gonna flip"

do you know how many people still panic brake?

kidwoo · Mar 17, 2021

jonKranked said:
do you know how many people still panic brake?

Yeah I guess I do still see a lot of that.

I panic aim

jonKranked · Mar 17, 2021

kidwoo said:
Yeah I guess I do still see a lot of that.

I panic aim

yea but do you panic ghost ride the whip?

jackalope · Mar 17, 2021

jonKranked said:
do you know how many people still panic brake?

Wait, there's another way to brake? :confused:

Regardless if you like strong brakes with no modulation or strong brakes with modulation, I think we can all agree that Yoann and Steve V are brake wizards (even with pants on):

Nope Train

Bikael Molton · Mar 17, 2021

Wait, are Shimanos finally fixed or does he just have a new set of brakes that haven't made it to the wandering bite point phase of wear?

jackalope said:
Having tried Subopt's newer model Zees, I think they definitely lose the super, ball-stopping power contest, but it's pretty nice they never just go to the fucking bar and try to kill you (i.e. The "Feature").

Nick · Mar 17, 2021

those TRP DH-R Evos are in stock again, I tried to buy a pair last year but no dice.
Imma try them out I think.

Westy · Mar 17, 2021

Nick said:
those TRP DH-R Evos are in stock again, I tried to buy a pair last year but no dice.
Imma try them out I think.

I can't say enough good things about my G-Specs.

Brake pad brand and use

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Cake Tease

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