Mountain Bike Brakes, Pads & Parts

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I choose between organic, sintered, semi-metallic, and ceramic pads for my riding?

  Organic (resin) pads are light (~10–15 g/pair), quiet with sharp initial bite and short bed‑in—best for dry XC/trail and riders who value modulation and low rotor wear. Sintered/metallic pads are the go‑to for enduro/DH/e‑bike and wet/muddy conditions because they resist heat, last 2–3× longer, but are louder and wear rotors faster; semi‑metallic is a middle ground for mixed weather, and ceramic is a niche, low‑dust option for high‑performance use.
• How do I make sure a pad fits my SRAM brakes like Code, Level, or Grizzy?

  Pads are shape‑specific—fit your exact caliper model and piston count first: SRAM Large fits Code/Maven/Grizzy (enduro/DH/e‑bike), Medium fits Level/Trail, and Small fits Level Stealth 2P and some 2‑piston road/MTB; wrong shape or generation can prevent braking or damage rotors/calipers.
• For weight‑sensitive XC versus enduro/DH, which backing plate or construction should I pick?

  Choose aluminum‑backed pads for weight savings and a quieter feel on XC/trail builds, and steel‑backed or sintered constructions for enduro/DH where durability and heat conduction under heavy braking are priorities.
• Should I use sintered pads with large rotors or when I ride long descents?

  Yes—pairing sintered pads with larger rotors (200 mm+) is common because sintered compounds tolerate higher temperatures and resist fade on long descents (specs call for >500°F tolerance for DH use), making them better for sustained braking.
• What’s the proper bed‑in procedure and when should I replace MTB brake pads?

  Organics bed in quickly for immediate use, while sintered pads typically need a longer bed‑in (roughly 10–20 controlled stops); replace pads when material is down to ~1–2 mm or when you notice reduced bite, increased noise/glazing, or excessive rotor wear—organic pads often last ~500–1,000 miles in dry use, with sintered lasting roughly 2–3× longer.