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So as with everything else bike related at the moment I'm having some issues finding pads for my XT 4-pots, the pads that they came with are getting close to done so I had a bit of a browse in the usual places for replacements and can't find anything other than 'out of stock' notifications.
They are 2020 XT 4-pots, I was looking for the N04C pads (the sintered ones) but at this point, with me looking at the prospect of not being able to ride due to no brakes I'm happy for alternatives. Looked for SwissStop as well as I've had them before and rated them but no joy.
Anyone got a supplier of decent pads under their hat .?
Been using Uberbike Race Matrix pads on all our bikes, Saints and Guide REs for years. Never had a problem with them in all conditions from the slop of the Peak to full on Alps days.
Works out cheaper if you buy them in sets of four
Thanks for the tips.. Will get some of the Race Matrix ones ordered, I had actually completely forgotten about them despite having 2 complete spare sets lying in the toolbox for the Hope brakes on another bike.!! 😀
In the interests of anyone else looking at this post, EBC are out of stock of the M8120 pads, RaceTi don't appear to have pads that fit that brake.
Not sure what the reputation of the Fibrax pads are, haven't heard anything bad but haven't heard anything else either.. anyone have experiences.?
Fibrax are fine. They're not the best pads but they're nowhere near the worst!
You have reminded me to stock up again though, only really used the one bike for the last 6 months so I only have pads for that one, it's the one about to be retired and all the other bikes have different brakes.
You have reminded me to stock up again though
Yep, that's what caught me out, I mean even with everything that's going on to screw up the supply chain at the moment it's the wee things that you never expect to have issues getting hold of.! Just ordered more chain lube and a spare chain as well so I don't get caught out again..!!
Gorilla brakes are my go to, Disco brakes are very good as well. I've tried most, uber's race matrix, superstar, fibrax, nukeproof, aztec, I'm sticking with Gorilla brakes, money back guarantee, same day shipping, extra strong spring to reduce brake rub, can't go wrong.
Racematrixes are still the only pads I've ever binned half-worn. To be fair, they were ace in the UK but they were terrible out in the alps- overheated and were wildly inconsistent on long descents. Uber's kevlar pads are very good though (well, I suspect they're literally the same product as most other cheap kevlar pads). Can be noisy but work consistently and reliably in any conditions and last well, they were my go to for a long time. They do need to be bedded in properly- it's a temptation not to because they provide good power as soon as you fit them, but if you don't give them a quick break-in then mud wears them super fast.
I always hesitate to mention this, but out of curiosity I bought some of hte cheapest pads on the internet, Bikein red from Aliexpress, £7 for 4 pairs. And they're really good! I've run them on various bikes through 2 scottish winters, a bunch of tweed valley nonsense, and a week in france including the mega and they've never missed a beat.
Gorilla brakes are my go to, Disco brakes are very good as well.
I had a look at the Disco website and they didn't seem to have the right type in stock, which has been my problem at several places.
However, Gorilla looks interesting. They seem to have some decent stock but I'm wondering about the different compounds.? Sintered and semi metallic seems fairly self explanatory, but what about Ceramic.? From their own blurn it sounds like possibly the best of both worlds.?
Any wisdom to offer if they are your go-to brand.?
I've not used their sintered but their semi metallic are great, improved braking over Hopes original pads in my E4's, I'm currently running the green ceramic ones, so far performing better than race matrix or any others I've tried and quieter than any sintered I've used in the past, plenty bite and they don't seem to wear out too quickly either.