Disc Brake Pads

Bike brake pads: control and safety at the highest level

On board the bike, the brake pads perform a crucial task, clamping around the rotor and stopping the bike within a few meters. Made up of a friction material bonded to a backing plate, they deliver smooth, progressive braking without abruptness. It is essential, however, that disc brake pads are always in good condition. Replacing them regularly is the best way to keep braking performance efficient. Also because the cost of pads is certainly not excessive. A must-have on MTB and gravel, they are also increasingly chosen in road cycling. For anyone buying a new set, one recommendation is essential. Checking rotor compatibility is a mandatory step to mount them successfully. In addition to original Shimano and Sram pads, there is no shortage of compatible products from equally renowned brands.

The variants to choose from

Braking intensity is a very personal matter. Linked to riding style and the routes tackled, it has a major impact on pad wear. Good for every scenario, semi-metallic pads are the most common on our bikes. Never too expensive, they offer decent stopping power and withstand heat well, as in the case of Galfer Standard. The friction material, however, is rather hard and tends to wear the rotor quickly. Better in performance, organic pads are the top choice in XC because they brake well right from the start. Sram Guide/Trail, for example, perform excellently even when it is cold and very humid. On the downside, they do not tolerate prolonged high temperatures, tending to deteriorate easily. In between are sintered pads, all-around MTB pads that are exceptional even in Gravity. Excellent for durability and heat resistance, they are a little noisier than the others. And the price, as in the case of Braking Sintered Racing, is less favorable.

Pads designed for e-bikes

When it comes to e-bikes, the disc brake is mandatory. Speed and the bike’s high weight, in fact, place a heavy load on the braking system, which must be ready to withstand increased stress. Precisely for this reason, brake pads for electric bikes are different from those installed on traditional bikes. We are talking about pads with a highly wear-resistant compound that, in some cases, is ceramic-based. Designed to deliver smooth braking without overheating, they are powerful, quiet, and long-lasting, as in the case of Galfer E-Bike.