The mountain bike brake system can be easily improbed changing the disc brake pads. So what's the science behind your brake pads, and are you using the best brake pad compound for your riding style or conditions?. Let's take a closer look at the different brake pad compounds currently in the market.

1. blog.rahoxbrakes.com http://blog.rahoxbrakes.com/2014/06/how-to-choose-best-mtb-disc-brake-pad-compound.html
How to choose the best MTB disc brake pads: Pad compounds
explained
We don’t usually worry too much about mountain bike disc brake pads until they start losing braking performance,
getting wear down, squealing or everything at the same time.
With the increased reliability and performance associated with the change from old-school cantilevers, we
sometimes forget that the brake system performance can be easily modified changing the disc brake pads. So
what's the science behind your brake pads, and are you using the best brake pad compound for your riding style
or conditions?. Let's take a closer look at the different brake pad compounds.
There are mainly three different types of pads: Sintered, Semi Metallic and Organics.
Sintered pads (full metal)
Sintered pads are based on sintering manufacturing process that allows the transformation of metallic powders
into metallic parts. The friction material part of the pad is manufactured from metallic powder bonded using a
combination of heat and pressure. The friction material contains different metal constituents (copper, bronze,
iron,..), with different key role when the friction material is in contact with the rotor (performance, noise, long
lasting).

2. PROS
Better durability. They can handle high
temperatures and have very good fade
resistance
Better in wet or extreme conditions like
gritty, sandy or muddy conditions.
CONS
The bedding in takes some time.
They are noisy.
Less initial bite due to the hardness of
the full metal friction material.
They transfer more heat into the calliper,
and this can be a problem if your brake system uses mineral oil.
Organic Pads
Organic pads (sometimes called resin) are made from organic fibres (aramid, PAN,...) and other property
modifiers or inorganic fibres (glass, carbon,..) usually bonded with phenolic resin. The backplate is usually steel,
or aluminium in the most light XC oriented pads. They are not as durable as sintered metal pads, but they
normally offer better initial bite and less noise. The softer material of the brake pad friction material, usually
provides better modulation and reduced noise, but with lower brake power and heat resistance.
PROS
Good initial bite.
Quieter and normally the easy fix to
remove brake squealing.
Bedding in is easier.
They don’t transfer too much heat into
the brake calliper, so no problem with oil
boiling even with mineral oil.
CONS
Lower durability than sintered pads, and
can wear quickly in extreme conditions.
Friction material can “glaze”, and this will require roughening up the surface to remove any glazing with
sandpaper.
Lower performance at high temperatures.
Semi metallic pads
Combining different organic and inorganic fibres, phenolic resin as a binder and metallic fibres, the semi metallic
pads aim to have the best from both worlds, with the same initial bite, modulation and noise reduction as the
organics, but with upgraded wear resistance. As a result from the metal addition, the lasting is greatly improved
over the organics, maintaining the same good initial bite and low noise characteristics. Depending on the metal
percentage added in the manufacturing the semi metallic pads will show different performances.

3. PROS
Good initial bite and easy bedding in.
Can handle higher temperatures and
reduce brake fade.
They are quiet.
Longer lasting than the organics, but not
as much as the sintered pads.
CONS
Can wear quickly in very extreme
conditions, even having an improved
performance due to the metal addition.
Same problem with pad surface
“glazing” can happen.
Lower performance at very high temperatures.
The best option for you will depend on your riding style, trail conditions and personal preferences, but when it
comes to 'feel' and initial bite, organic and semi metallic pads are commonly better choices. Nevertheless is good
to remember that everyone has their own preferences, and most of the times these preferences determine the
best option. As an example, in the very demanding DH World Cup, the teams alternate between organics, semi
metallics and sintered pads depending on the circuit and the weather conditions.
You can find our semi metallic range of high performance mtb brake pads at www.rahoxbrakes.com