{"id":34038,"date":"2022-03-13T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-13T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=626709"},"modified":"2022-03-13T15:19:12","modified_gmt":"2022-03-13T14:19:12","slug":"disc-brake-pads-explained-organic-vs-sintered-vs-semi-metallic","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/disc-brake-pads-explained-organic-vs-sintered-vs-semi-metallic\/","title":{"rendered":"Disc brake pads explained: organic vs sintered vs semi-metallic"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 13 March 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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All disc brakes, whether hydraulic or mechanical, operate in the same way, by pushing two disc brake pads against the sides of the rotor to slow or bring your bike to a halt.<\/p>\n

As with most things in cycling, however, even a seemingly simple, consumable component such as disc brake pads come in a variety of options.<\/p>\n

Over time, the pads on your bike will get worn down, so you need to check regularly for pad wear before replacing them.<\/p>\n

You can also change and upgrade your pads if you\u2019re not happy with the braking performance, with different pads better suited to different conditions.<\/p>\n

But which disc brake pads do you need for your bike? Here\u2019s everything you need to know, including how disc brake pads work, when to replace disc brake pads, and the different materials that are available.<\/p>\n

How do disc brake pads work?<\/h2>\n
\""Disc\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A disc brake works by pushing two pads against a rotor.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Mountain bike disc brakes<\/a> have been commonplace for a long time now but, in recent years, discs have also become the de facto standard on road bikes<\/a> and gravel bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As a result, discs are by far the most common type of bike brake<\/a> on the latest performance-focused machines. But how do they work?<\/p>\n

A disc brake pad is made up of a block of braking material bonded to a metal backing plate. The metal plate adds structural rigidity to the braking surface and holds it in position within the brake caliper.<\/p>\n

When you apply a bike\u2019s brakes, pistons in the caliper push the pads against the spinning rotor, which is attached to the hub of the wheel.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s usually a metal spring to stop the pads from rattling in the caliper when the brake isn\u2019t on, though some designs, such as Magura\u2019s MT 7 mountain bike disc brakes<\/a>, use magnetic pads and pistons and do away with the springs.<\/p>\n

The friction between the pad and the rotor generates heat and also slowly wears down the layer of braking material in the pad.<\/p>\n

The metal plate helps remove heat from the brake and some will have fins or other features to help dissipate heat faster.<\/p>\n

With prolonged hard braking, it\u2019s possible for the pads to transfer enough heat into the caliper to boil the hydraulic fluid in the pistons, resulting in brake fade and causing the brakes to become less effective.<\/p>\n

When to replace disc brake pads<\/h2>\n
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\""Disc\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Don\u2019t let your pads get like this if you want to stop effectively.<\/span><\/figcaption> Ben Delaney \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As a very general guide, you should replace your disc brake pads once the layer of braking material reaches 1.5mm or less in thickness.<\/span><\/p>\n

How quickly that happens depends on the sort of riding you do and the conditions in which you ride, as well as the composition of the braking material.<\/p>\n

Wet and dirty conditions will wear pads much quicker than dry conditions \u2013 you may even need to take a replacement set with you on exceptionally long rides and swap them out mid-ride. In dry conditions, you\u2019re likely to get a much longer life from a set of pads.<\/p>\n

More extreme riding, such as downhill mountain biking, will wear through pads more quickly than mellower cross-country mountain biking<\/a> or general road riding.<\/p>\n

You can also get uneven pad wear if they\u2019re not aligned correctly with the rotor \u2013 or they might rub the rotor when not in use. We\u2019ve got a separate article on pad alignment and how to stop disc brakes rubbing<\/a>, plus a guide on how to replace disc brake pads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When it comes to pad wear, you definitely don\u2019t want to reach the point where there\u2019s metal-on-metal contact between the pad\u2019s support and the rotor because this will not only reduce braking performance but also quickly damage the rotor.<\/p>\n

Which disc brake pads do you need for your bike?<\/h2>\n

Organic vs sintered vs semi-metallic brake pads<\/h3>\n
\""Organic\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Sintered (left) and organic (right) brake pads are the most common.<\/span><\/figcaption> Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Like many bike components, disc brake pads come in a range of shapes and sizes to fit different brake models, so the sassy answer is \u201cthe ones that fit your brakes\u201d.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s more to pad choice than that because pads can be made from a range of different materials. The best option for you depends on the type of riding you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n

Pads can be either organic, sintered or semi-metallic, and we\u2019ll run through the pros and cons of each.<\/p>\n

Organic brake pads<\/h3>\n

Organic disc brake pads are generally made up of Kevlar, rubber and silica, bound together with resin.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re offended by noisy brakes, organic pads are for you. Also referred to as resin pads, they\u2019re the quietest option. They also give you sharper braking and don\u2019t need to warm up before they start to work well.<\/p>\n

The organic compound helps to insulate the pad from the caliper, so more heat stays in the rotor and less is transferred to the brake fluid, although they\u2019re more prone to fade under prolonged braking.<\/p>\n

An organic pad will also wear out more quickly than other options, so you\u2019ll need to change your pads more frequently. They don\u2019t like dirty or wet riding much either and they can glaze over, so you might need to recondition the pads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Organic pads are a good option for less extreme riding in dry conditions, so they work well for summer use on road bikes with disc brakes<\/a> and XC mountain biking, particularly if you live somewhere relatively flat and aren\u2019t riding technical descents with lots of braking.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong>\n