How to find the right Bike Brake Pads AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Bike Brake Pads
- Disc pad shape
- Disc pads are specific to the caliper model. Match the shape code your caliper maker lists. Pad shapes differ even within the same brand.
- Compound
- Resin/organic pads are quieter and have more initial bite. Sintered/metallic pads last longer and handle wet and heat better. Never fit sintered pads to a rotor marked resin-only. Sintered pads wear resin-only rotors quickly.
- Rim pad holder and post
- Road cartridge pads must fit the holder type (Shimano-style or Campagnolo-style). V-brake pads use threaded posts; older cantilevers use smooth posts. A mismatched insert or post will not mount securely.
- Carbon rims
- Use only the carbon-specific compound recommended by the rim maker. Standard pads overheat carbon rims and brake poorly on them.
- Wear limit
- Replace disc pads when the friction material is down to about 0.5 to 1 mm. Replace rim pads at the wear line. Worn pads can reach the backing plate and damage rotors or rims.
Brands that matter
- Kool-Stop: Respected rim pads, including a compound known for wet braking.
- SwissStop: Rim pads for alloy and carbon rims.
- Shimano: OEM disc and rim pads in resin and metal compounds.
- SRAM: OEM pads for SRAM and Avid calipers.
- Galfer: Disc pads in several compounds.
- Jagwire: Wide range of affordable rim and disc pads.
- TRP: Pads for TRP and Tektro calipers.
What to avoid
- Cleaning and reusing oil-contaminated disc pads; replace them
- Alloy-rim pads on carbon rims
- Skipping the bed-in on new disc pads
Questions
Do I need to bed in new disc pads?
Yes. Do a series of controlled stops from moderate speed so a layer of pad material transfers to the rotor.