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The pads and discs have to get used to each other. This should be a hot process. What many people don't realise: The mating behaviour of pads and discs depends crucially on the first few moments together. During continuous braking - for example on long descents - the frictional heat can quickly rise to over 300 degrees. Both partners should be prepared for this. Otherwise the brake may collapse.
Your health is important to us. That's why we test brakes and accessories under extreme conditions. To find out which of the many pads on the market harmonise best with the best-selling brakes, we pushed 18 pairs to their limits - pads from the market leaders Shimano, Sram and Magura, plus aftermarket pads from BBB, Kool-Stop, Reverse, Sixpack, SwissStop and Trickstuff. A huge effort. Because every manufacturer now offers different types of pads. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Organic pads are considered quiet and efficient in the cold, but are said to wear out more quickly and weaken in the heat. Sintered metal pads, on the other hand, have a reputation for being extremely heat-resistant and wear-resistant. However, they are said to clog the discs more and tend to squeal. So much for the clichés. Because our test shows that it also depends very much on how the brakes are run in.
We spent three weeks in the laboratory on the test bench to put the test candidates through their paces in terms of braking power, stability and wear behaviour. Particularly important: a defined braking process in which the brake is first ground in and then carefully brought up to temperature. This is important so that the so-called friction layer can form on the pad and disc. To do this, the pad and disc exchange material until a microscopically thin layer is formed that is chemically almost identical - like rubs best with like. The braking force was finally determined in three dry and wet braking tests. Then it was time for the heat resistance test. The pairs had to complete 30 braking manoeuvres, which correspond to a short but heavy full braking manoeuvre at a 12 degree gradient and 45 km/h. Once one stage was completed, the braking force was increased - in three stages up to 630 newtons, which corresponds to a system weight of 120 kilos. Under load, the temperature in the brake pad was driven up to the measurable limit of over 600 °C - or even to the point of collapse.
Two further braked-in sets were finally worn out in fast motion. The 1000 braking cycles took just under an hour in our laboratory. On the trail, most people would probably need a whole season for this.
The classic Magura MT6, Shimano XT and Sram Guide brakes were tested, each with two original pads and a total of four aftermarket pads. The brake manufacturers emphasise that only their own original parts fit their brakes perfectly and that the use of third-party products generally invalidates guarantee, warranty and liability claims. Brake pads usually come from the Far East - and often from the same factory. However, the formulations of the friction materials differ significantly. For example, some organic pads can increase their performance significantly at a temperature of over 300 °C, because only then have all the volatile components evaporated from the resin. Others are already at the upper temperature limit at this point. In the case of sintered metal pads, this is where the fun really begins, the braking force reaches its maximum and previously annoying noises suddenly disappear.
Because the performance of the pads depends on the brake used, we have assessed the braking performance for each brake model individually. Conspicuous, but not included in the evaluation: the high disc wear of the organic pads from Reverse and Sixpack. Each shaved off half of the thin stainless steel layers of the XT Ice-Tech disc. As a result, they converted almost 25 euros into heat in our test. Otherwise, wear on the discs didn't really play a role.
So not every pairing harmonises. But once you've found the right one, things can get heated. Even after the familiarisation phase.
Conclusion Sebastian Brust, BIKE test editor:
The quality is right. Trickstuff delivers its best pad to date, and Sram impressively demonstrates that organic pads can be fail-safe. The first-class and very affordable originals simply harmonise best with the sensitive Shimano Ice-Tech disc.
THAT WAS IN THE TEST
Organic coatings
Fibre materials from organic chemistry once replaced the carcinogenic asbestos, hence the name. The coverings are usually quiet and disc-friendly. Typical: the acrid odour when the resin outgasses. Risk of fading in extreme heat!
Sintered metal linings
The metal-powder mix, which is "baked" under pressure and at temperatures close to the melting point, is extremely heat-resistant and is considered fade-resistant, but can be very loud. Caution: conducts a lot of heat into the brake caliper!
Linings with cooling fins
Shimano was a pioneer with its Ice-Tech pads, and some third-party suppliers now also offer models with cooling fins. They are intended to ensure better heat dissipation and thus protect heat-sensitive discs in particular.
We have tested the brake pads of these manufacturers:
Tested on MAGURA MT6:
Tested on SHIMANO DEORE XT:
- Reverse Air-Con
- Reverse Disc Organic
- Shimano G02A* (BIKE TIP: Test winner)
- Shimano J02A
- Sixpack Organic
- Sixpack Sinter
Tested on SRAM GUIDE RSC:
- BBB-39
- BBB-39S
- Sram organic (BIKE-TIP: test winner)
- Sram Sinter
- Trickstuff Power
- Trickstuff Standard
SLOW DOWN, BUT DO IT RIGHT
The brakes will only work optimally if the pads and discs are tuned to each other. This is how it works.
Grinding in
When new or after replacing a component, the disc and pad must first adapt geometrically. To do this, allow the brake to drag lightly three times for around 30 seconds while travelling slowly.
Create friction layer
A microscopically thin layer must form on the pad and disc, which is created by material exchange between the disc and pad. Only on this layer are high friction and good wear values possible. Accelerate to around 30 km/h and then brake down to walking pace - until the braking effect no longer increases noticeably, around 30 times.
Hot braking
Sintered pads sometimes require high temperatures to create a stable friction layer, organic pads can outgas. To prevent this from happening out of the blue, apply the brakes (individually) really hot on a long, steep descent. If it smells acrid, this is a good sign for once. Then let it cool down well!
FACTOR BRAKE DISC
What influence does the brake disc have? We have compared these models.
Magura Storm HC 180 mm
Price: 30 Euro
Weight140 gram
Stability: extreme
Braking force: very high
Strength: 1,95 mm
Wear limit: 1.8 mm
Magura Storm SL 180 mm
Price: 35 Euro
Weight: 116 gram
Stability: high
Braking force: very high
Strength: 1,95 mm
Wear limit: 1.8 mm
Shimano XT (SM-RT76M) 180 mm
Priceapprox. 27 Euro
Weight: 150 gram
Stability: medium
Braking force: medium
Strength: 1,72 mm
Wear limit: 1.5 mm
Shimano XT (SM-RT86) 180 mm
Priceapprox. 35 Euro
Weight: 131 gram
Stability: medium
Braking force: very high
Strength: 1,72 mm
Wear limit: 1.5 mm
Sram Centreline 180 mm
Price: 52 Euro
Weight: 149 gram
Stability: high
Braking force: very high
Strength: 1,86 mm
Wear limit: 1.55 mm
Sram Centreline X 180 mm
Price: 82 Euro
Weight: 127 gram
Stability: high
Braking force: very high
Strength: 1,86 mm
Wear limit: 1.55 mm
BRAKE PAD TEST: THE RESULTS
Braking power, durability, wear: 18 pairs of tyres had to prove themselves in the laboratory. Not all of them were convincing.
How BIKE tests
Three pairs of each pad model were tested on our in-house brake test bench - two in the wear test and one to determine the braking force and heat resistance. Each pad was carefully braked in the same way until the braking force reached a constant level. Three brakes with original 180 mm brake discs were tested. The pads were only evaluated individually for the brake model tested.
WEAR TEST Each pad completed 1000 dry brake applications with a braking force of around 315 N (wheel circumferential force) - around two seconds at 45 km/h. The brake pads were precisely measured before and after the test.
BRAKE PERFORMANCE The braking force was averaged over three dry and three wet braking applications at 80 N manual force. In the subsequent heat resistance test, the braking force was gradually increased up to the load capacity limit. The evaluation summarises the braking force and the heat resistance.
Test brake: Magura MT6 with Storm HC 180 Disc
Touring bikers in particular appreciate the braking power and reliability of the MT6. As with Shimano and Sram, the pads were tested on a 180 mm disc.
Kool-Stop D160 ¹
Price / Info 22 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 20.0 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.65 / 2.18 mm
Covering wear / costs² 13.6 % / 3.00 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 319 / 7338
RATING
Braking power 4 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 6 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Slight fading at high temperatures and a somewhat weak wet rating cost the D160 points on the Magura. But: Top wear!
BIKE judgement⁵ VERY GOOD
Kool-Stop D160S¹
Price / Info 27,50 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 23.0 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / sintered metal
Beam / covering thickness 1.6 / 2.33 mm
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 368 / 3591
RATING
Covering wear / costs² 27.8 % / 7.66 Euro
Braking power 6 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 4 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Maximum braking power in the wet and no weakness even in extreme temperatures. Top! The D160S is easy on the disc, but can get loud.
BIKE judgement⁵ VERY GOOD
Magura 7.C
Price / Info 15,90 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 21.1 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.65 / 2.29 mm
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 352 / 1854
RATING
Covering wear / costs² 53.9 % / 8.58 Euro
Braking power 6 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 2 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Strong braking values and safe up to the highest temperature ranges. The relatively high wear reduces the cost, despite the favourable price.
BIKE judgement⁵ GOOD
Magura 7.P
Price / Info 19,90 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 20.6 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.65 / 2.30 mm
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 349 / 3358
RATING
Covering wear / costs² 29.8 % / 5.93 Euro
Braking power 6 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 4 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Long braking time is worth it! Just as strong, but better wear than the in-house 7.C - but reaches the limit a little earlier in extreme heat.
BIKE judgement⁵ VERY GOOD
Swissstop Disc 30¹
Price / Info 24,30 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 19.7 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.65 / 2.18 mm
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 348 / 3264
RATING
Covering wear / costs² 30.6 % / 7.45 Euro
Braking power 4 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 4 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Strong, snappy rubber! Early, slight fading and only average mileage cost the Disc30 the test rating of very good.
BIKE judgement⁵ GOOD
Swissstop Disc 30 E¹
Price / Info 19,80 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 20.3 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.65 / 2.3 mm
Covering wear / costs² 22.3 % / 4.42 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 230 / 4481
RATING
Braking power 3 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 5 out of 6 points
Conclusion: The tame e-bike pad was the king of wear on Shimano in 2014, but loses more material on the Magura MT6. Temperature limit of 300 °C.
BIKE judgement⁵ GOOD
Test brake: Shimano Deore XT
Shimano's upper mid-range brakes are considered robust and are fitted to many bikes. But which pads harmonise best with them?
Reverse Air-Con¹
Price / Info 22,90 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 25.7 grammes
Carrier / covering material Aluminium + steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.0 + 1.0 / 1.89 mm
Covering wear / costs² 20 % / 4.57 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 263 / 5010
RATING
Braking power 3 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 4 out of 6 points
Conclusion: A good system pad with a separate, well-functioning cooling plate. Good braking power. But the slight initial fading costs points.
BIKE judgement⁵ GOOD
Reverse Disc Organic¹
Price / Info 13,90 Euro /
Weight (pair, without accessories) 18.5 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.65 / 2.34 mm
Covering wear / costs² 41.9 % / 5.82 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 317 / 2387
RATING
Braking power 3 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 2 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Still good braking power, but heavy fading. Pad wear just satisfactory. But: very high wear on the XT disc!
BIKE judgement⁵ SATISFACTORY
Shimano G02A
Price / Info approx. 7 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 9.5 grammes
Carrier / covering material Aluminium / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.55 / 2.48 mm
Covering wear / costs² 9.3 % / 0.65 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 356 / 10762
RATING
Braking power 5 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 6 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Very low wear and maximum braking power on the XT with Ice-Tech disc. Slight fading from 300 °C prevents full points.
BIKE judgement⁵ SUPER
Shimano J02A
Price / Info approx. 15 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 18.5 grammes
Carrier / covering material Aluminium / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.55 / 2.53 mm
Covering wear / costs² 10.4 % / 1.56 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 351 / 9609
RATING
Braking power 5 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 6 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Just as strong and durable as the G02A rubber. But the J02A also shows similar initial fading as its brother from 300 °C - so it loses a few points.
BIKE judgement⁵ SUPER
Sixpack Organic¹
Price / Info 14,50 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 18.7 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.65 / 2.32 mm
Covering wear / costs² 40.4 % / 5.86 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 286 / 2473
RATING
Braking power 3 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 2 out of 6 points
Conclusion: braking power still good, but with a fading problem. After two sets of pads, a new Ice-Tech disc would be due with the Sixpack Organic!
BIKE judgement⁵ SATISFACTORY
Sixpack Sinter¹
Price / Info 14,50 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 22.1 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / sintered metal
Beam / covering thickness 1.6 / 2.36 mm
Covering wear / costs² 7.3 % / 1.05 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 254 / 13766
RATING
Braking power 4 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 6 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Best wear values in the test and extremely temperature-stable. No disc wear! Relatively weak braking values prevent an even better judgement.
BIKE judgement⁵ VERY GOOD
Test brake: Sram Guide RSC
The Sram Guide RSC has also firmly established itself in the XT price segment. It is striking that the test results of the pads are relatively close together. And yet there is a narrow victory on points.
BBB-39¹
Price / Info 14,95 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 20.4 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 2.01 / 1.92 mm
Covering wear / costs² 14 % / 2.09 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 350 / 7164
RATING
Braking power 4 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 5 out of 6 points
Conclusion: A strong rubber that loses out slightly in a direct comparison within the Guide group. Fading sets in late, but still costs points. Top wear on the Guide, just misses the Super.
BIKE judgement⁵ VERY GOOD
BBB-39S¹
Price / Info 17,95 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 22.8 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / sintered metal
Beam / covering thickness 2.00 / 1.86 mm
Covering wear / costs² 19.7 % / 3.54 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 354 / 5070
RATING
Braking power 5 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 5 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Strong, both in the dry and in the wet, and super stable. In terms of durability, even slightly better than the original sintered model from Sram.
BIKE judgement⁵ VERY GOOD
Sram organic
Price / Info 24 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 19.0 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 2.01 / 1.98 mm
Covering wear / costs² 17.5 % / 4.21 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 373 / 5699
RATING
Braking power 6 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 5 out of 6 points
Conclusion: A lot of power, especially in the wet, and stability up to the highest temperature ranges result in full points. The only thing that could be a little better is wear.
BIKE judgement⁵ SUPER
Sram Sinter
Price / Info 24 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 21.1 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / sintered metal
Beam / covering thickness 1.99 / 1.86 mm
Covering wear / costs² 22 % / 5.28 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 365 / 4546
RATING
Braking power 5 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 4 out of 6 points
Conclusion: The Sram sintered pad is also very strong, but needs a long break-in phase. It wears faster than the organic pad. Can get loud in the cold!
BIKE judgement⁵ VERY GOOD
Trickstuff Power¹
Price / Info 19,90 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 19.1 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 2.00 / 1.95 mm
Covering wear / costs² 11.6 % / 1.96 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 408 / 8627
RATING
Braking power 5 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 6 out of 6 points
Conclusion: The new power pad from Trickstuff tickles the maximum power out of the Guide and also hardly wears out. Fading only occurs in extreme heat. The Guide only has to stop the stability test just before the end by a hair's breadth. This costs a few points in terms of braking performance on the home straight. But: The best Trickstuff rubber to date.
BIKE judgement⁵ SUPER
Trickstuff Standard¹
Price / Info 16,90 Euro
Weight (pair, without accessories) 21.9 grammes
Carrier / covering material Steel / organic
Beam / covering thickness 1.99 / 2.00 mm
Covering wear / costs² 13.7% / 2.72 Euro
Braking force³ / Mileage⁴ 296 / 7321
RATING
Braking power 3 out of 6 points
Wear and tear 5 out of 6 points
Conclusion: Great wear values on the Guide, but somewhat weak in direct comparison within the test group. Slight, late fading costs one point. Nevertheless: a solid good.
BIKE judgement⁵ GOOD
Accessory pad, the use of which may invalidate liability claims against the brake manufacturers. ²Wear and cost data based on the 1000 brake applications in the laboratory.²BIKE measured value: measured braking force in N at 80 N lever force, averaged from three wet and three dry brake applications.⁴Theoretical number of brake applications up to the wear limit (Shimano 0.5 mm residual pad thickness, Sram / Magura 2.5 mm total thickness). The extrapolation is based on 1000 brake applications in the laboratory.⁵The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, satisfactory, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
Sebastian Brust
Editor
