UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
Specifically, the orange ones? I tried the black ones and wasn't overly impressed. The initial bite was ok but they seemed to lack power compared to the genuine Shimano sintered. They didn't last that long either. I went through 2 sets on the back in about 200 (gritty, muddy, wet) miles.
Tried the orange ones and was impressed straight away. They've lasted well and seem to stop me pretty sharpish. But my god, the noise is unbearable! I put a set on the back and did ~150 miles. Mostly wet and muddy and didn't hear a peep out of the. I fitted another pair up front last weekend, rode on Sunday and the noise the brakes were making in the dry conditions was hilarious.
Proper honking from both ends of the bike.
Is it just me?
I've pretty much always run Shimano Sintered and never have noise issues. Is this the pads?
I always give the discs a scrub with scotchbrite and Isopropyl Alcohol whenever I change pads. The rears were fine for 150 miles in the wet. I don't really want to swap them because they stop really well.
Only plus side is I didn't need to use a bell. A quick squeeze of the brakes sent walkers scrabbling for the sides of trail in fear of the giant turkey beast that was coming to gobble them up.
I was pretty sure I’d read in here about the Gorilla pad material separating from the metal bit. Maybe not because then I read this
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/what-brake-pads-again/
I’d still say don’t save money on brake related items unless you’ve no choice. Get Galfer Pro ( the green ones).
gorilla greens are ace, but wear relatively quick, quiet though
I've bought the competition sintered.
No issues and not not stopped yet
Been running the Enduro pads for years and I really like them, they are noisy when wet though and had a set glaze when riding abroad, may have been my fault for not bedding them properly.
Tried them out recently in a set of sram codes. Felt good. Haven’t lasted particularly long but trails haven’t been dry since last year so not massively surprised.
Well, the plot thickens.
Or thins...
Decided I'd give everything a light scrubbing with something abrbrasive and treat the discs and pads to some more IPA to make sure there want any contamination on either that might be giving me the noise.
Looking st the disc, there was a obvious area around the perimeter of the disc that wasn't in contact with the pad.
Measured the pads against some Shimanos and found the Gorillas come up 2mm smaller in height and width. Width not a problem but the shorter height means I've got a 2mm lip starting to wear into my disc. Gorilla Pads measure 13mm hight Vs the 15mm of the Shimano.
Whether this is the case of the noise or not, I have not idea but it's a bit annoying to see my discs worn like that.
Anyone else noticed it?
For reference, I'm using the Shimano D02S shaped pads (M8150/7120/6120 etc) on Shimano Ice Tech discs
2mm washers between caliper and mount would sort that. On new discs. Shouldn’t be necessary though. Back to my comment about getting Galfer Pro (Green) pads.
Sintered pads can be noisy, but the pad material is not always the root cause.
The noise is usually vibration resonance somewhere in the braking system. Harder compounds such as sintered pads transmit more vibration than softer organic or resin compounds, so they can expose problems that a softer pad may mask.
Common causes include:
- Old organic pad material still embedded in the rotor
- Contamination from oil, cleaning products or brake fluid
- Uneven piston movement
- Poor caliper alignment
- Air in the brake
- A worn or slightly distorted rotor
- Loose rotor, caliper or wheel hardware
- Incomplete bedding-in
One of the biggest problems happens when changing from organic pads to sintered pads without properly preparing the rotor. The existing transfer layer can reject the new compound, preventing the sintered pad from bedding evenly. This can cause reduced bite, vibration and the familiar squeal or “turkey warble”.
Before blaming the pads, I would clean and lightly abrade the rotor, check every piston is moving evenly, realign the caliper and then complete a proper bedding-in process. If the brake still resonates, a softer compound may be better suited to that particular caliper and rotor combination.
There is always a trade-off: sintered pads generally offer better wear life and heat resistance, while softer compounds usually provide better vibration damping and quieter braking.
I had their Enduro Pro Resin pads on my last bike and they were really good. I didn't notice any abnormal wear (M6120 with XT IceTech rotors). Tempted to get a set for my current bike which has same brakes but standard Deore rotors.
I always give the rotors a light sand and clean with Brake & Clutch Cleaner if changing pad compound.
Well, the plot thickens.
Or thins...
I've got a 2mm lip starting to wear into my disc. Gorilla Pads measure 13mm hight Vs the 15mm of the Shimano.
that’s not good at all.
Just go Galfer.....
Performance or E-Bike pads. Not noticed any difference between the two.
Just go Galfer.....
Performance or E-Bike pads. Not noticed any difference between the two.
E-Bike are the nuts. Put them in my Hayes on the EEB, instant performance increase.
Id
had a pair of gold gorilla’s a few years ago literally fall apart on me while I was thundering down a moor descent knowing I had brakes…. Anchored on and the material split from the unit and it fired itself out the front door! Luckily I was able to skid my back wheel to a stop eventually!
haven’t bought them since, can’t mess around with the points of contact on a bike!
