Does anyone know of any alternatives to using the split pin for the Shimano Zee brake pads?

you could use it as a walking sticking for a small monkey

What’s wrong wi the split pin?, my car uses a split pin (albeit a rather large one) to hold the brake pads in place and i trust that when hooning into a corner at 100mph+.

They add pliers to the list of trail tools required to do a pad change?

for alternatives you can use a tiny allen key from a multi tool and a zip tie

Hmm, i’ve never had to do a mid ride pad change so you’ve got me on that one, and you don’t really need a set of pliers to remove the split pin – anything to lever the bent section will do such as the blunt end of a multi-tool screwdriver or tyre lever will do.

You need these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-br-m785-pad-axle-snap-ring/

Thanks droppinneutron, much appreciated.