Oh no… What Brake Pads?

The pads in my XTs are nearly down to the metal so I need to get some new uns ordered.

So, what should I go for? The Shimano ones I’ve had in seem really good but I’m tempted (again) by Superstar even though I’ve had really bad experiences with them before. Are they good now? And no, I just want a sensible answer, not a picture of an octupus etc.

If not Superstar, what else? I refuse to pay the £20 or whatever it is for a pair of Goodridges.

http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/shimano-xt-disc-pad-recommendations#post-257725

My vote goes to A2Z at Woolly Hat Shop (£10)
http://www.woollyhatshop.com/view_product.php?id=2466

I think we need a Superstar brake pads sticky thread. Something along the lines:

We have a lot of forum users asking whether or not Superstar brake pads are safe and/or good value. For a definitive response on the matter, see below.

Q: Are Superstar brake pads safe/good value?
A: Yes/No (delete as appropriate)

Having said that, there was a thread yesterday where people were talking about another cheap brake pad supplier. it’s only a forum search away…

I refuse to pay the £20 or whatever it is for a pair of Goodridges.

Why?

As Benji says – it’s brakes and tyres, brakes and tyres.

I know they’re good but I reckon you can get something as good for much less £££. Not sure what though – thats my problem!

the last set of Goodridge pads I put in mine (admittedly bedded-in in the Alps) lasted for ages and ages, well worth the cash. last set of Superstar I used (sintered) squealed a bit, but were otherwise OK. Now onto my bargain flood damaged CRC stock.

My view – either original or one of the major manufacturers. I would never use a cheapo brand. Its a safety critical component and there is much history of SSC and other cheapo ones failing

I’m tempted (again) by Superstar even though I’ve had really bad experiences with them before.

You have had bad experiences with them and are considering using them again?

Its a safety critical component and there is much history of SSC and other cheapo ones failing

I genuinely don’t believe that *safety* per-se is at risk.

But I do believe there are better and worse performing models in terms of stopping/durability.

My view – either original or one of the major manufacturers

I’ve seen Avid original pads last less miles than some after-market cheapo ones.

Life’s never easy…

but I’m tempted (again) by Superstar even though I’ve had really bad experiences with them before…………..

You know – most animals learn from bad experiences

Most animals also lick their own backsides but I don’t? Do you?

fibrax semi metallic plus from crc. 4 for £45
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1071

I genuinely don’t believe that *safety* per-se is at risk.

How’s that then. I put my wheel back in and accidentally knocked the SSC pads. The pad fell off I didn’t notice then rode off down a hill. First pull of the brakes, nothing there. Second pull, the pistons in the rotors, wheel locked and I’m under a bus. If dopey numpties can win compo cases for falling into invisible potholes then I’d back that one in court.

You don’t check your brakes as you head out?

I’m staggered you have survived as long as you have.

Most animals also lick their own backsides but I don’t? Do you?

if I could lick my own balls, you’d not catch me on STW all day.

I have a logical approach to things like this. Restaurants for example – if a pub kitchen is closed down cos of an e coli outbreak, when it reopens, you can pretty much guarantee it will be the cleanest most hygienic kitchen in the area, and so I’ll happily eat there.

Likewise brake pads – if they have gone wrong for a few people, and complaints have been made, I’m sure the company in question will make damn sure it doesn’t happen again, or risk going out of business. I’d happily order SSC brakes again as I’ve never had an issue with them, and Fruit seemed like a friendly enough fella when I met him, despite his now long passed behaviour on here.
I suspect that the recurrence of SSC problems has been as a result of the bad batch. We order a lot of pads as a group, and as individuals, we will buy multipacks. What’re the chances of some of that bad batch still being out there, soon destined to go on to a bike? Pretty high I’d guess.
I am currently running SSC on the back, and will be putting discos on the front. Both “cheapo” brake pads, I’m 100% confident they will work perfectly well. Depending on wear, my decision on which to buy in future will be based entirely on cost – a competitive market is good for us all ultimately.

TJ – you’d never use a cheapo brand? Suggests to me you have never used one so have no prior experience to base your opinions upon.

The minute I have a bad experience I may consider changing my opinion, but until now my experience with the numerous sets of pads I’ve been through has only been good and I’d rather judge the gear by my own experience than hearsay and second hand comment from people online.

FWIW.

Recently I have been very impressed with Fibrax.

Apart from the fact that the backing plate is a little overlarge to fit in the caliper – but thats just a case of a 30sec file job.

They’re lasting better than original formula, goodridge or ‘disco pads’, with comparable stopping power. They seem a bit easier to bed in too.

Pook – my reasson for nt buying cheapo ones are based on two things – good experience with reputable manufacturers and listening to others poor experiences of cheapo ones. Big brands such as fibrax, carbon lorraine should be fine.

I will not risk my safety for pennies.

I only go thru a set a year anyway. thousands of miles from aset so £20 a year in pads seems fine to me.

People don’t tend to go on forums to say “my brake pads worked as expected” though. I’d put money on a vast majority having normal/good experience of using “cheapo” pads.
Your next set of “posh” ones could be from a bad batch.

I think the odds are somewhat lower using a reputable brand. My choice. I think anyone using cheapo ones with known high failure rates are stupid.

It is your choice, and I’m not stupid. Thanks for your judgement though TJ.

😀

My Hope brake pads worked as expected. My Shimano brake pads worked as expected. My SSC ones fell apart.

I don’t buy this bad batch story. The SSC strapline was that their stock was the same part from the same factories just without all the middlemen. I’ve not seen the consistency of complaints from any other brand to back that up so conclude that the SSC pads are not from the same factories. I don’t like being lied to so my money now goes elsewhere.

I think there are good and poor brands – experience has told me that some brands (in general) last well, are quiet and have good stopping power. I have also spent money on some that 50% fell to bits, and in doing so, one bust a caliper it was mounted on.
I also agree with brant – its ‘subconcious’ for me, but as I get any bike out, I lift and drop it and as I climb on/pedal a couple of metres, just check the brakes…and I don’t throw myself off huge drops/ 40mph descents without some braking at some point… They are important for safety, but I have ( 😳 ) stopped on big descents with metal on metal braking when I have worn out pads.

Ive just fitted these om my XTs. Clarks pads only been out once since fitting but did over 2000m of ascent/descent and they seem fine, especially for £6.99

On my fifth set of SSC pads now (had them on front and rear). I have used them for general trail riding in Wales and Scotland, plus my normal Thetford haunt which is pretty hard on wearing stuff out due to the sand. I have also used them in Spain on long descents and had no problems at all with them.

They can squeal a bit, but apart from that…..thumbs up from me.

I just got a set of Superstar pads and they are fantastic! much more braking power than my organic Shimano pads, don’t even need larger rotors which I bought (but not yet fitted).

They are SQUEEKY though! 🙂