Black Friday mountain bike brake: good deals on pads

The brake parts gathered during Black Friday

The MTB brake pads make up the essentials of the offer, suitable for most calipers on the market. The brake discs come in various diameters and mounting types, and the brake levers are often sold individually, for either the right or left side. For rim brakes, common on children's bikes and older models, check out the brake pads; the cables and housings complete the page.

Pads and discs: what to check before ordering

• The shape of the pad depends on the exact model of the caliper, whether it's two or four pistons, brand, and generation: note the reference indicated on the caliper or in the manual.
• The compound: organic pads, made of resin, provide progressive and quiet braking; sintered pads, metallic, withstand heat and mud better. Some discs only accept resin, which is indicated on the disc.
• The diameter of the disc, for instance 160, 180, or 203 mm, must remain within what the frame and fork allow, using the appropriate caliper adapter.
• The mounting: six bolts or Center Lock. For a Center Lock disc, the internally grooved locking ring is suitable for quick-release axles of 12 mm; through axles of 15 or 20 mm require an externally grooved ring.
• The thickness of the disc, which some brakes require: Evo brakes from TRP are designed for discs of 2.3 mm.

Discounted braking: traps to avoid

A hydraulic lever must belong to the same system as the caliper and use the same fluid: Shimano uses mineral oil, others use DOT fluid, and the two should never be mixed. Also, check the quantity: some cables and pads are sold in boxes of several dozen pieces, intended for workshops, and their crossed-out price is misleading when compared to the price per piece. For pads, a discount should only be considered with the same compound, shape, and quantity: a set of sintered and a set of organic pads for the same caliper are two different products.

Other braking pages and MTB during Black Friday

The braking category has its pages for road, BMX, and city, and the braking spare parts cover all bikes. For MTB, transmission and wheels and tyres are often maintained at the same time. Outside of sales, find MTB braking, clearance, and new arrivals.

MTB braking brands during Black Friday

Shimano equips its Ice Technologies FREEZA discs, like the RT-CL800, with a core made of aluminium sandwiched between two stainless steel tracks, extended by fins that dissipate heat.

Elvedes, a Dutch family company long specialised in control cables, manufactures pads, discs, and shoes compatible with the brakes of major brands.

CL Brakes produces sintered pads in Gennevilliers, on the former site of Carbone Lorraine, including models for Hope and Formula calipers.

Galfer, a family business based near Barcelona, claims to have invented the wavy profile disc, which it produces in its Wave and Shark discs.

TRP, a premium brand of Taiwanese manufacturer Tektro, developed the DH-R Evo, a four-piston brake, in collaboration with downhill rider Aaron Gwin; the Trail Evo uses the same caliper.

Frequently asked questions

When should you change your pads, and should you wait for Black Friday?

As soon as the lining wears down to about half a millimetre, or if the braking becomes noisy, weak or the lever sinks further. Never let the metal support rub against the disc: it will damage it after just a few uses. Therefore, there’s no need to wait for the Friday after Thanksgiving for worn pads; since Vélo-Store's discounts on braking cover all of November, they mainly serve to plan ahead for a spare set.

Organic or sintered pads for MTB?

Organic pads are suitable for trail and cross-country riding in dry conditions, offering a progressive feel. Sintered pads last longer in mud and on long descents, at the cost of being a bit noisier. Just ensure that your disc is compatible.

Can you upgrade to a larger disc?

Yes, within the limits set by the frame and fork manufacturer, using the corresponding adapter. A larger disc increases braking power and dissipates heat better, which is useful on e-MTBs or during downhill rides.

Do new pads need to be bedded in?

Yes: a series of gradual stops on flat terrain, without locking the wheel, allows the pads to leave a thin layer on the disc. Braking will reach its full potential only after this bedding in.

Are pads from a compatible brand as good as original pads?

A compatible pad mimics the shape of the original; its compound may differ. So, compare the type, organic or sintered, and the intended use, rather than just the brand.