Shimano brake pad differences

Older XT M785 and Shimano ? On my E Bike both take the same pads G05S R-X which are now on offer at Merlin for £4.99 ! Genuine Shimano ! New XT brakes on my Curtis, M8100 apparently take a different code pad but looking at the 2 different pads they look the same so are they ?

Shimano Disc Brake Pads – G05S-RX | Resin
Shimano G05S disc brake pads made of resin and equipped with steel base plates. 50 % more wear resistant than its predecessor G03S. Recommended for XTR, Deore XT, SLX, Deore and Alfine disc brake calipers.

Compatibility:
XTR BR-M9000, BR-M9020, BR-M987, BR-M985
Deore XT BR-M8100, BR-M8000, BR-M785
SLX BR-M7100, BR-M7000, BR-M675, BR-M666
Deore BR-M6000, BR-M615
Alfine BR-S7000, BR-S700
BR-CX77
BR-RS785
BR-R785, BR-R517, BR-R317

M8100 use G05A apparently so how do they differ from 5S ?

G05S have a stainless steel backing plate.

G05A have an alloy backing plate.

@dove1 so is there any real world difference in use alloy v steel ? I’ve been using the Steel ones for years

According to the Shimano description the G05A back plate is “Alloy for lightweight”.

Unless you’re a real weight weeny I doubt it will make any difference.

Wow the difference must be a gnats chuff !

The alloy pad will get hotter quicker as it is lighter and will have less ‘heatsink’ ability…

Wrong way round, Aluminium has a higher thermal conductivity compared to steel, it can transfer heat more efficiently, allowing it to cool down faster.

On my E Bike both take the same pads G05S R-X which are now on offer at Merlin for £4.99 ! 

G05S RX are a resin pad…

Not worth 5p let alone £5!

OEM Sintered pads are a lot better assuming they’re not ludicrously expensive (usually are though), but there’s plenty of much better aftermarket pads out there for not a lot of money…

OR… And I wouldn’t usually recommend “cheap” pads, but recently came across these… https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303734639157?_skw=brake+pads&itmmeta=01JA6CBZGQZ33QH0E367G4F6CG&hash=item46b7feca35:g:MBEAAOSwA-9fjv0I

Using some on my ebike currently, and have been very impressed by the performance so far for the price! Not quite as good as my favourite CLBrakes VRX compound, but they’re 1/4 of the price and performance is definitely one of the better pads I’ve used at any price!

@mboy been using them on my Rise for 2 years without any issues, last a decent time, I was told when I bought the bike the first thing I need to do is ditch the 2 pots and buy 4 pots , again originals have been fine . I’m obviously not a gnarly enough rider .

@oldfart, that’s as maybe, but Shimano’s Resin pads are absolute crap!

4pots are quite a bit stronger than 2pots yes, but you’ll notice a decent pad over the crap OEM resin pads far more, and for far less money… If they’re worn out and you’re replacing anyway, then it’s not an upgrade expense anyway is it?!?!