Bike Maintenance 101: How Your Brake Pads Affect Performance, Safety, and Speed

When riders think about bike maintenance, most think about cleaning their drivetrain, or dialling in their tyre pressures. But one of the most overlooked, and yet most critical areas of the bike is the brake system, and more specifically your brake pads. It doesn't matter if you're swinging your leg over a daily commuter, a weekend trail bike or a downhill rig, your bicycle brake pads play a far bigger role in your performance and safety than most riders realise.

In this guide, we'll break down why brake pads matter, how they impact speed and control, and what to know about different pad types. Whatever your mountain bike brake pads are, Shimano brake pads, SRAM brake pads, Tektro brake pads, Magura brake pads or otherwise, we'll cover the basics for you. We'll also go over how to choose the right pads for your riding style, and keep them sweet until it's time to replace them.

If you want your bike to feel faster, safer, and more confidence inspiring, then understanding your bike brake pads is one of the easiest wins you can take.

Why Brake Pads Matter More Than Most Riders Think

Brake Pads are the only point of contact between the callipers and your rotor. That thin layer of material is ultimately responsible for:

• How quickly you stop
• How much control you have on steep descents
• How consistent your braking feels
• How confident you feel at speed
• How the bike handles in wet or muddy conditions

To put it bluntly, your brake pads influence the entire riding experience.

Just as tyres change how your bike grips the ground, your MTB brake pads change how it handles speed. Worn, contaminated or low quality pads don't just reduce braking power, they can make your riding unpredictable, and even dangerous.

Whether you're running disk brake pads on a commuter or MTB brake pads for technical trail riding, the correct compound and condition of your brake pads transforms the feel of your bike.

Types of Brake Pads: What's Actually Different?

Across all brands - Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Hope, Tektro and others, you'll typically find three main compounds.

Organic (Resin/Ceramic) Pads

Organic pads are made from softer materials such as resin, fibres, and fillers.

Pros: 

• Better initial bite
• Quieter Performance
• Great Modulation
• Ideal in dry conditions

Cons:

• Wear faster in wet or gritty conditions
• Can fade over longer descents

Sintered (Metallic) Pads

Sintered pads are created using high-temperature bonding of metallic particles

Pros:

• Long life
• Ideal in muddy, wet and gritty conditions 
• Resistant to heat and fade
• Strong braking power for more agressive riding

Cons:

• Louder
• Take longer to bed in
• Can feel less sensitive at lower speeds

Often found as stock options for systems such as Shimano Brake Pads, SRAM Brake Pads, Magura Brake Pads and Hope Brake Pads

Semi Metallic Pads

A hybrid compound that bridges the gap between organic and sintered pads.

Pros:

• Good all round performance
• More bite than organic, less noise than full sintered
• Versatile in varying conditions

Cons:

• Potential fade under extreme heat
• Less durable than full metallic pads

Perfect for trail riding and mixed conditions 

How Brake Pads Affect Speed and Performance

Stopping Power

Better pads mean more predictable stopping power. If you've ever pulled your lever hard and felt little to nothing happen, that's usually a result of:

• Glazed Pads
• Wrong Compound
• Contamination
• Worn Pads

With higher quality MTB Brake Pads, you get a more immediate, controlled braking response, which lets you ride faster knowing you can stop when needed.

Modulation

Modulation is how finely you can control your braking. Better modulation means you can 'feather' the brakes instead of locking the wheel. This is crucial for:

• Technical Descents
• Wet roots and rocks
• Jumps and landings
• High speed cornering

Organic pads typically offer the best modulation, but advanced compounds (like our Factory Racing Stealth) now deliver both power, and smooth control.

Heat Management

Heat is the enemy of braking performance. When pads overheat, they fade, meaning they stop generating friction.

On longer descents, especially with mountain bike brake pads, poor heat management can cause:

• Spongy lever feel
• Reduced braking power
• Burning smell
• Rotor Discolouration

Sintered pads are generally best for managing heat, which is why many aggressive riders tend to upgrade from their stock Shimano or SRAM pads for example to metallic or performance alternatives.

Speed Through Confidence

A well maintained set of disk brake pads gives you confidence. And confidence, almost always leads to speed. Speed is a product of controlled riding, not reckless riding.

When you have trust in your brakes, you brake later, ride smoother and allow yourself to carry more momentum over a run. You'd be forgiven for thinking that brakes just allow you to stop, but with the right pads, they also allow you to go faster.

Brand Specific Considerations: Shimano, SRAM, Magura.

While all brake pads follow similar principles, different braking systems each have unique behaviours.

Shimano Brake Pads

Known for sharp bite and quick engagement. Resin pads offer great modulation but are likely to fade. Many riders will prefer an upgrade to sintered pads.

SRAM Brake Pads

SRAM Systems such as the SRAM Guide, SRAM Code and SRAM Maven Brakes offer smooth, progressive feel. Pad choice here will have a big impact on modulation.

Magura Brake Pads

Magura brakes offer insane stopping power, with a particularly unique lever feel. They do run hotter due to a higher power output however, so pad choice matters here. 

How to Know When Your Brake Pads Need Replacing

Most riders wait way too long to replace their pads. But keep an eye on these signs to know if its time for some freshies:

• Squealing, in even in the dry
• More lever pull required 
• Visible rotor scoring
• Metallic scraping noises
• A measurable pad thickness of <1mm
• Fading brakes on long descents

If you pull the lever and panic as it reaches the bar, your pads were done a while ago...

Contamination: The Silent Killer of Brake Performance

Even brand new pads can feel awful when contaminated. A few of the usual suspects are:

• Chain Lube
• Cleaning spray
• Grease
• WD-40
• Road film and oils

Contaminated brake pads usually need replacing. Once oil soaks in, it's extremely hard to get out, however a regular clean with a dedicated brake cleaner should keep them running smooth.

Extending the Life of Your Brake Pads

Bed Them in Properly

This is a crucial step that should absolutely NOT be overlooked. A proper bedding in procedure ensures even transfer of pad material to your rotor, which gives you:

• More power
• Less Noise
• Longer Pad Life

Incorrect or inadequate bedding in, is one of the biggest reasons stock pads feel weak or underperforming.

Keep Rotors Clean

To keep your Brake Rotors clean, you want to be using either a dedicated brake cleaner, or Isopropyl Alcohol. Nothing Else. Many other types of cleaner are likely to leave a residue that will ruin your pads. Top Tip: consider covering your rotors when using other cleaners on different areas of your bike, it will help prevent these finding there way on to your Brake pads and Brake Rotors.

Avoid 'Dragging' Your Brakes

Instead of light constant braking, try to use a firm but controlled braking technique to reduce heat.

Regular Pad Checks

It's a good idea to get into the habit of regularly (once a month at the least) checking the thickness of your pads. As you start approaching 1mm in thickness it's time to start considering replacements. This is especially important in the winter and autumn when grit and mud can wear pads fast.

Choosing the Right Pads for Your Riding

Commuter / Road Bikes

Generally you want to be considering Organic Pads for Quiet, smooth braking. Upgrade to semi-metallic if you're often riding in wet conditions.

Trail Riding

Semi-Metallic or Sintered pads offer the best combination of control and durability.

Enduro / Downhill Riding

Sintered Pads are essential for controlling heat on longer runs, steep riding and demanding speed. 

E-MTB Riding

Sintered. The increased weight, torque and speed of these bikes require a strong pad.

When to Upgrade Your Brake Pads

Riders often think they need better brakes, but in reality they need better brake pads. It's time to upgrade your pads if:

• Your braking is inconsistent
• You ride steep/wet terrain
• Your pads are glazing quickly
• You feel the need for more stopping power 
• You demand more braking control at higher speeds
• You notice a lack of modulation

A premium set of mountain bike brake pads is one of the highest ROI upgrades possible.

Better Pads. Better Riding

Good Brake Pads don't just help you stop. They help you ride better. With the right compound, proper maintenance and timely replacement, your bike will feel more controlled, more predictable, and much safer.

It doesn't matter if you're running Shimano, SRAM, Hope, Magura, Hayes, Tektro or any other brand of brakes, the principles remain the same:

• Choose the correct compound
• Bed them in properly
• Keep them clean
• Replace them early enough

Dial in your pads and everything else will fall into place.