Brembo MTB Brake Pads: Engineering the GR-PRO | Gorilla Brakes
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Brembo has officially crossed over from MotoGP to the trail.
The launch of the Brembo GR-PRO mountain bike braking system in April 2026 marks a serious step forward for gravity, downhill and e-MTB braking. With four 18mm pistons, 2.3mm rotors and a full system approach to heat management, Brembo is bringing proper motorsport thinking into MTB braking.
At Gorilla Brakes, we are not waiting for the market to catch up. We are already in the R&D phase to make sure our proven brake pad compounds are ready for the Brembo GR-PRO platform.
4 x 18mm Pistons
The GR-PRO uses four 18mm pistons, giving the system a huge contact area and serious pressure consistency for gravity riding.
Built for control.
2.3mm Rotor Platform
Brembo’s thicker 2.3mm rotors are designed to improve heat control and maintain consistent braking on long, demanding descents.
Maximum heat management.
Why Aftermarket Engineering Matters for Brembo GR-PRO
The Brembo GR-PRO system has been designed as a complete package, with calipers, levers, hoses, mineral oil, pads and rotors all working together. That makes pad development more important, not less.
Modern downhill bikes and high-power e-MTBs place huge demands on the braking system. With heavier bikes, longer descents and systems such as the DJI Avinox pushing the category forward, brake pads need more than just bite. They need thermal stability, controlled friction and consistent feel under repeated heavy braking.
This is where Gorilla Brakes comes in. Our focus is on developing Brembo-compatible pads that match the demands of the GR-PRO platform while giving riders more compound options for different riding styles, conditions and terrain.
Gorilla Brakes Development Status
🛠️ Current Development Status: Hardware Mapping
We are currently awaiting production caliper samples so we can finalise backplate tolerances and compound testing for the Brembo GR-PRO brake system.
Our target is an August 2026 release for the first Gorilla Brakes Brembo GR-PRO compatible brake pads.
Want to be notified when R&D is complete? Join the technical waitlist below.
Visit the Brembo Collection Hub →Preparing for the Brembo Era
Brembo entering the MTB market is a major moment for gravity braking. It also proves what we have believed for years: brake performance is a full system problem. Caliper stiffness, piston size, rotor thickness, fluid behaviour, pad material and heat control all matter.
Gorilla Brakes will continue testing, measuring and developing compounds for the newest braking systems as they arrive. The Brembo GR-PRO is now firmly on our R&D roadmap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gorilla Brakes developing brake pads for Brembo GR-PRO?
Yes. Gorilla Brakes is currently developing Brembo GR-PRO compatible brake pads with a targeted release date of August 2026.
What rotor thickness does the Brembo GR-PRO use?
The Brembo GR-PRO platform uses 2.3mm rotors designed for improved heat management and braking consistency.
Will Enduro Pro compounds be available for Brembo GR-PRO?
Yes. Gorilla Brakes is developing Enduro Pro compounds specifically for the Brembo GR-PRO platform.
Why are thicker rotors important on modern eMTBs?
Thicker rotors increase thermal mass and improve heat stability, helping maintain braking consistency on heavier and more powerful bikes.
When will Gorilla Brakes Brembo GR-PRO pads launch?
Gorilla Brakes is currently targeting an August 2026 launch pending final caliper measurements and testing.