How to choose brake pads (rim and disc)
Pad material and brake type — a hedged overview of how to pick pads for road, gravel, or commuting.
Brake pads are a wear item that has a noticeable effect on stopping power, lever feel, modulation, and noise. The right pad depends on your brake type, your rim/rotor material, and your conditions.
This is a general overview. Always match the specific pad to your brake model — manufacturers publish compatibility lists.
Rim brakes
| Pad type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Standard rubber | Alloy rims, dry conditions |
| Salmon / soft compound | Wet weather, more grip |
| Carbon-rim-specific | Carbon rims (mandatory — standard pads can damage carbon) |
If you're on carbon rims, always use the manufacturer-recommended pad for those rims.
Disc brakes
| Pad type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Organic / resin | Quiet, good initial bite, smoother feel | Wear faster, fade in long descents |
| Sintered / metallic | Long life, consistent in heat and wet | Noisier, slower to bed in |
| Semi-metallic | Compromise of the two | Compromise of the two |
How to choose
- Mostly dry conditions — organic/resin is usually fine and quieter.
- Wet conditions, big descents, heavy loads — sintered/metallic.
- Commuting in mixed weather — semi-metallic is a sensible default.
Compatibility
- Brake calliper model — pad shape varies by calliper (Shimano flat-mount road vs MTB vs SRAM, etc.).
- Rotor material — sintered pads can wear some rotors faster; check the rotor manufacturer's recommendation.
Common mistakes
- Mixing pad types on the same calliper. Don't.
- Not bedding in new pads before serious use. Causes glazing and reduced bite.
- Contaminating pads with oil or chain lube. Once contaminated, pads usually need replacing.
Bedding in (briefly)
Most pads need 20–30 controlled stops from moderate speed to transfer pad material onto the rotor and develop full bite. Refer to the manufacturer's procedure.
Browse brake pads or bring your bike in for advice on the right pad for your setup.
Shop the products mentioned
View all
Shimano
L05A L04A L03A Brake Pads for Shimano R7020 R8020 R9120 R8070 R9170 R7170 R9270
brakes
Galfer
Galfer Road Wave CL Centerlock Disc Rotor DB101WCL/DB102WCL
brakes
Galfer
Galfer Road Shark CL Centerlock Disc Rotor DB111FLWCL DB112FLWCL
brakes
SRAM
SRAM RED Paceline X Rotors E1
brakes
Shimano
Shimano Disc Rotor RT-CL900
brakes
Shimano
Shimano Disc Rotor RT-CL800
brakes
SRAM
SRAM AXS Brake Pads
brakes
Lightweight Titanium Brake Caliper Adapter 160 140 Rear Front
brakes
Related guides
How to choose a road bike (a buyer's overview)
A plain-English walkthrough of the main decisions when buying a road bike: fit, frame material, groupset, and intended use.
How to choose a gravel bike
Gravel bikes cover a wide spectrum, from race-focused to bikepacking-friendly. Here's how to figure out which end you want.
How to choose tyres for road cycling
Width, casing, compound, and tubeless or not — here's a hedged overview of the main road tyre decisions.
How to choose clipless pedals
A primer on the main clipless pedal systems and what tends to suit each kind of rider.