Ran out of brakes on a big downhill. The O.E finned XT pads were a bit overwhelmed.
What should I replace them with?
I've just ordered some Nukeproof Semi-metalic for my Saints - will see what they are like.
Non finned race matrix in our Saints. Used them for years and never let me down.
Uberbike finned matrix for year in various brakes.
OEM sintered if you can get them, refresh the fluid if it's old, clean the rotor, get a bigger/radiator rotor, get on the brakes less, eat fewer pies yada yada in that order.
The pads play one small part in ensuring you dont run out of braking power, have you ridden that descent before and if so is this the first time you've ran out of braking power on it or has it happened every time? That's important.
Were they sintered finned or resin OP? Might be worth considering bigger rotors and checking they aren't just glazed over first.
First time in years that I’ve ridden that descent. A big groove has worn in it in that time. What used to be fairly flat out had me on the brakes as I no longer knew what was around the corner.
If I had needed to pull up I wouldn’t have been able to.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
Its the first time I’ve had an issue with the brakes.
On shimano brakes? My finned resin pads on M8000 brakes lasted about 18 months on my last pair.
For that reason, I just stick to OEM ones now.
Trickstuff pads if you want more power. Dyno tested and real life confirmed. Maybe don’t last as long as some though.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
Annually
Although with the mineral fluid in shimano brakes this is less important that with dot fluid. Dot fluid absorbs water and boiling point lowers. All brake fluid becomes contaminated with wear particles and dirt.
Shimano mineral oil will not degrade in performance tho - just increased rates of wear
Everytime I've gone away from Shimano pads I've regretted it, glazing or rapid wear or, on one occasion, pad/backing seperation (!).
Probably just bad luck in all cases but I just look out for deals on Shimano now.