Learn more about disc brake pads
There are many models of disc brakes for bicycles on the market today and each brake model has its specific pads. But in addition to the specific design, there are also differences in the material used to manufacture the inserts. There are two types of material used in brake pads, they can be: Sintered (metallic) or Organic (resin). Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Find more here: ceramic vs semi metallic brake pads
Sintered inserts
Metallic inserts are made by a process called sintering where metallic (copper, steel, bronze, etc.) and/or semi-metallic (ceramic, graphite, etc.) powders are compressed by pressure and subjected to high temperatures, slightly lower than yours. melting temperature. This process creates a solid, coherent piece. Sintered inserts are more abrasive, give off more heat during braking and their coefficient of friction is higher. These are inserts that can be used in any weather and terrain conditions. Sintered inserts have greater durability, but shorten the useful life of the rotors. This is the best choice if you are a heavy rider or use small rotors (discs) (less than 160mm). Its advantages are:
• withstands higher temperatures
• better braking in the rain
• greater durability
Disadvantages:
• makes more noise
• greater braking space
• less modulation (control) in braking
Sintered inserts
Metallic inserts are made by a process called sintering where metallic (copper, steel, bronze, etc.) and/or semi-metallic (ceramic, graphite, etc.) powders are compressed by pressure and subjected to high temperatures, slightly lower than yours. melting temperature. This process creates a solid, coherent piece. Sintered inserts are more abrasive, give off more heat during braking and their coefficient of friction is higher. These are inserts that can be used in any weather and terrain conditions. Sintered inserts have greater durability, but shorten the useful life of the rotors. This is the best choice if you are a heavy rider or use small rotors (discs) (less than 160mm). Its advantages are:
• withstands higher temperatures
• better braking in the rain
• greater durability
Disadvantages:
• makes more noise
• greater braking space
• less modulation (control) in braking
Organic tablets
Organic brake pads use synthetic resins in place of metallic elements, added to materials such as graphite and aramid. As it does not contain metallic particles in its composition, they heat up less than sintered pads, which allows greater control in prolonged braking. They are less aggressive with brake rotors (discs), but their durability is much lower than metal pads. Furthermore, when installed, they need a longer “burnout” period (20 to 30 hard braking) before offering their full capacity. Organic brake pads are suitable for light cyclists and mountain bike sports where the brakes are not required to the maximum, such as cross country, dirt jump, road etc.
Benefits:
• less braking space
• greater efficiency in light braking
• quieter
Disadvantages:
• lower durability
• low efficiency in rain / mud
Ice Tech
One of the great challenges of disc brakes for bicycles is the high temperatures that the system has to withstand. The Shimano developed a different type of insert for better dissipate the high temperatures of the rotors. This system is called Ice Tech. The brake pads have an external aluminum radiator, which dissipates the heat from the pads to the outside of the calipers and reduces the pad temperature by up to 50º.
Organic brake pads use synthetic resins in place of metallic elements, added to materials such as graphite and aramid. As it does not contain metallic particles in its composition, they heat up less than sintered pads, which allows greater control in prolonged braking. They are less aggressive with brake rotors (discs), but their durability is much lower than metal pads. Furthermore, when installed, they need a longer “burnout” period (20 to 30 hard braking) before offering their full capacity. Organic brake pads are suitable for light cyclists and mountain bike sports where the brakes are not required to the maximum, such as cross country, dirt jump, road etc.
Benefits:
• less braking space
• greater efficiency in light braking
• quieter
Disadvantages:
• lower durability
• low efficiency in rain / mud
Ice Tech
One of the great challenges of disc brakes for bicycles is the high temperatures that the system has to withstand. The Shimano developed a different type of insert for better dissipate the high temperatures of the rotors. This system is called Ice Tech. The brake pads have an external aluminum radiator, which dissipates the heat from the pads to the outside of the calipers and reduces the pad temperature by up to 50º.