Brake Pads
Used MTB brake pads in organic (resin) and sintered (metallic) compounds from sellers across the UK. Pads are the most frequently replaced brake component, so match the pad shape to your caliper model and pick the compound for the conditions you ride in.
Organic or sintered pads?
Organic pads (resin compound) bed in quickly, run quieter and offer better modulation in dry conditions, but they wear faster, especially in wet and muddy riding. Sintered pads (metallic compound) last significantly longer, cope better with heat on long descents and maintain bite in wet conditions, at the cost of more noise, longer bedding-in and a slightly harsher feel. Most trail riders in the UK are better served by sintered pads — they handle year-round wet conditions better and last 2-3 times longer.
Which pad shape fits my caliper?
Each brake caliper uses a specific pad shape: Shimano B-type pads don't fit Shimano D-type calipers, and neither fits SRAM. The common shapes are Shimano B01S/B03S (2-piston Deore/SLX), Shimano D03S/D01S (4-piston XT/XTR/Saint), and SRAM organic/metallic for Code, Guide and Level. Always match the pad to your exact caliper model, and check which caliper your brake set uses before ordering. Aftermarket brands like Galfer, SwissStop and Uberbike make pads in all standard shapes, often with different compound options than OEM.
When should I replace my brake pads?
Pads are a consumable and need replacing when the friction material gets below 1mm thick. If braking power has dropped, the levers pull closer to the bar than usual, or you can hear metal-on-metal scraping, the pads are done. Most pads have a wear indicator groove or line, and once it's gone they need replacing. Running pads down to the backing plate scores the rotor and can damage the caliper piston.
How do I bed in new pads?
New pads need bedding in — 10-15 moderate stops from speed to transfer a layer of pad material onto the rotor. Don't drag the brakes or do emergency stops with fresh pads. Keeping fresh pads in your brakes is the simplest way to maintain consistent stopping power.
What if my pads are contaminated?
Contaminated pads — oil, spray or disc brake cleaner residue — will squeal and lose power. If contamination happens, sand the pad surface and clean the rotor with isopropyl alcohol, or just replace the pads. They're cheap.