Trickstuff Power pads vs Uber Race Matrix on SRAM Guides?

I’ve ran Race Matrix for ages now without issues but wondered if the Trickstuff ones are worth a look too?

Looking at about £40 for both ends on the Trickstuff pads though. Gulp.😐

TBF I don’t see how any brake pad can be worth that, unless they last forever

I’m inclined to agree to be honest. A lot of money.

I tried them on some guide RS with 180 rotor on the rear and 203 on the front. I initially replaced the rear as the old ones had worn out but then had to replace the front ones on the next ride as the trickstuff pads gave me more braking power on the rear than the front despite the smaller rotor! Front pads were hardly worn, but had to change them to restore the braking characteristics of more powerful front to stop the bike and less power in the rear to control the bike. Not sure if they are worth the extra if you are not lacking power, but a cheaper upgrade than bigger rotors in the short term at least if you are.

Just replaced my front (worn out) race matrix with some Trickstuff power pads, and there’s definitely a noticeable bump in power. Hard to quantify after just a ride or two, but definitely better. They’re certainly expensive though, so unless you really want extra power they’re hard to justify.

They’re somewhat cheaper from sites like R2-bike.com, so if you’re already ordering something and paying postage, they may be worth adding to an order.

I’m also interested in Trickstuff pads for my E4’s.

If anyone could explain the difference between the different numbers (730, 220 etc.) that would be good. There are no product descriptions on the website that I can see.

I tried a set in Code RSCs. After a wet weekend with one day of uplifting at Cwnmcarn and one pedalling up at BPW they were worn down to the back plate. Tough conditions for them for sure, but I still a bit disappointinge. Performance-wise they were fine, but not a night and day difference to my normal set up of Race Matrix on the front and sintered on the back. I have another set which I was saving for the dry and will try once my current pads need changing.

sharkattack
Member
I’m also interested in Trickstuff pads for my E4’s.

If anyone could explain the difference between the different numbers (730, 220 etc.) that would be good. There are no product descriptions on the website that I can see.

730, 220 are model numbers, it seems. 730 are V4 Organic, 220 are E4 Power+ Resin (sort of a semi-metallic, Race Matrix equivalent I guess)

Well, I’ve others one pair just to try out.

The “Power” version. I’ll see what they are like. I’ll fit them in the rear as I’m not too sure I want a potentially “big” braking increase at the front.Lol

This german mags test seems to put the trickstuff power pads in quite a favourable light with regards to differences in power/fade/durability, significantly better than both organic and sintered sram pads.

https://www.bike-magazin.de/komponenten/bremsen/test-mountainbike-bremsbelaege-2017/a37195-page5.html

Tempting me to give them a go on my MT7’s, except on MT7’s the opinion seems top be that the 4 piece pads perform a little better than the (MT5 version) 2 piece linked pads, possibly because it allows all 4 pistons independant movement.

(sorry minor thread hijack if anyone is familiar with magura 8.p v 9.p pad shapes wants to weigh in on the following stupid idea…wonder if its worth me just hacksawing the trickstuff magura pads in half seeing as they have the bolt holes for the pad retention pins just like the 4 piece pads as the overall shape seems identical so i get independant 4 piston movement)

significantly better than both organic and sintered sram pads.

Out of interest, do you have a link to that test (assuming it’s typically Germanic and they’ve quantified it on a dyno?

I’v got SRAM guides on my new bike and thus far have been a bit underwhelmed. Adequate but not exactly earth shattering power* and squeal badly. I’ve ordered some Shimano centerlock rotors in the next sizes up (I did have a Hope 220mm but that won’t fit on the hub) to see if that helps, but everyone seemed to rave about SRAM OEM pads previously. And much as I hate waste and would like to just get them upto scratch with rotors/pads I could just have bought Hope with all the incompatibility issues I’ve had.

*fine for setting up for a corner, but pulled to the bars and held them there one one fast/loose open descent that suddenly ended in a 90deg turn at a fence, they just didn’t seem to do much.

I wouldnt know where the raw test results are, if anywhere, but this is the article translated into english through google:

https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=https://www.bike-magazin.de/komponenten/bremsen/test-mountainbike-bremsbelaege-2017/a37195-page5.html&prev=search

The descriptions of the tests are at the start of the article and for each pad they list their findings.

Do bear in mind though they are not testing all brake systems with all pads so theres no evidence that trickstuff power pads tested on sram guides will perform with identical results to trickstuff power pads in say shimano XT’s

Hmmm, one thing that does show that might be of interest from the photos in that test, is BBB and trickstuff seem to use the same backing pads, same factory? Not the same braking though. Worth perhaps keeping an eye out and seeing if BB release a new compound at some point!

Interesting that the test shows sintered pads doing well. Maybe I was unlucky but the last few sintered pads I tried were all woeful.

Sintered pads are hard though, they lack immediate bite and take longer to bed in.

We’re all addicted to immediate bite and minimal bedding in, including me.

I’m happy to pay more for decent pads, & will not waste any more money on cheap (Or always discounted) pads, that are simply shit.

@poopscoop
It woud be awesome if you would come back to let us know your thoughts on the Trisckstuff Power’s once you’ve had a chance to run them, to get a comparison to the Race Matrix.

I ordered a few sets of Race Matrix for Shimano’s a while back but sold the brakes so never got to try them out.

just put set of Galfer pads in today in my Cura 4’s. More a test to see how they perform, never tried them before. Given the rain yesterday and today could be a week or so before they get tested.

munkiemagik
Member

@poopscoop
It woud be awesome if you would come back to let us know your thoughts on the Trisckstuff

Will do mate, they’ve been shipped now.👍

Trickstuff pads are great. Minimal bedding in and good power. Don’t last that long though so there’s a trade off.

No love for Superstar Kevlar anymore? They used to be well liked?

No love for Superstar Kevlar anymore?

Are they still available? I didn’t get on with them but aside from that I don’t think Superstar do brake pads these days

Galfa greens are my bestest

Had rahox, hope (Also made by galfa), superstar, uber,

These have the best bite & consistent power of any pad ive used

Kimbers, what brakes do you use the Galfas in matey?

1st proper ride on the Galfers, really impressed with them. I’d buy them again

Nice one bruneep.

Mine have turned up but not tried yet.

Will report back.👍

Quick update here on the Power pads from Trickstuff.

Note, only used on the Peddars Way for 100 miles, hardly the Alps.

Fitted them and didn’t have time to bed them in. I “think” Trickstuff say some models of their pads don’t need bedding in?

Anyway, they are very, very good. From the second I first used them I was mildly taken aback by how much sheer braking force there was compared to the race matrix. It’s the first time I’ve ever put pads in and thought “wow”.

Now….. Only used on the Peddars Way….but simply based on braking power (not fade/wear due to limit of use) they are bloody fantastic.

Are they worth the ridiculous price, that I’m not so sure of.

If someone can make something like these at a cheaper price…. That would be fantastic.👍

Ymmv.

Thanks so much for the feedback scoops. In that case I’m definitely ordering in a few Trickstuff Powers for my MT7’s then.

Unfortunately Magura are so nice when they sent me my brakes back from their service centre, they have me multiple spare sets of the Performance pads including the ones fitted in the calipers. So need to burn through the current newly installed pads before I get to revel in the glory of Trickstuf Power power.

Actually, what’s the thinking on removing pads that have already been bedded in.
If I remove them to try out the TS, because the rotors will now be bedded in with the TS’s does that mean if I refit the Magura 8.ps they will need to be bedded in again when reinstalled?

big fan of Rahox here but they’ve been out of stock on Sram Guide pads for yonks, so I’m back on the Sram organics, which are pretty good IMO.

I’ve some Galfers in the drawer though so will try them next.

I bought some Trickstuff power pads this time last year, and was not too impressed honestly. Not sure if they got contaminated, but they never offered the bite or the power that I hoped for. I’m now on SRAM sintered and they’re much better.

I’ve used the Race Matrix pads once. I’m back to the bog standard Sram sintered pads. I can’t tell the difference.