Hayes Gravel Bike Brake Pads

Gorilla Brakes Hayes Gravel Brake Pads are designed for the CX and gravel-specific mechanical disc calipers Hayes is known for. Whether you're racing cyclocross, tackling rough gravel routes or loading up for adventure riding, our compounds deliver stronger bite, quieter braking and reliable performance in harsh, gritty off-road conditions.

This collection includes pads for all Hayes gravel-ready calipers, including CX Expert, CX Pro and CX-5. These brakes are widely used on gravel, touring and cyclocross bikes thanks to their dependable mechanical operation and low maintenance requirements.

Quick Tip: Mechanical gravel brakes benefit greatly from higher-performance compounds. Scroll down to compare options and choose the best match for your terrain.

Compatible Hayes Gravel Brake Calipers

This collection covers all Hayes calipers used on gravel, cyclocross and adventure bikes. These mechanical systems are known for durability and easy field adjustment, making them ideal for remote terrain and winter riding.

  • Hayes CX Expert – Reliable mechanical gravel/CX brake
  • Hayes CX Pro – Performance cyclocross and gravel brake
  • Hayes CX-5 – Entry-level gravel and all-road mechanical brake

If your gravel bike uses Hayes CX Expert, CX Pro or CX-5 calipers, you will find the correct pad shape below. Select the compound that best matches your terrain and riding conditions.

Choosing the Right Compound for Hayes Gravel

Hayes mechanical brakes rely heavily on pad friction for power. Gorilla Brakes compounds enhance braking bite, extend pad life and improve consistency when riding in mud, sand, dust and wet gravel.

🏆 Enduro Pro Compound Comparison (Highest Performance)

Compound Backing Plate Dry Wet Heat Life Best For
Enduro Pro Ultimate 🟧 Orange ★★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★★ ★★★★★★ Steep gravel, mud, heavy riders, loaded touring.
Enduro Pro Semi-Metallic 🔵 Blue ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ All-weather gravel and endurance riding.
Enduro Pro Resin ⚫ Black ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Quiet braking on firm gravel, bike paths and dry terrain.

🏁 Factory Racing Compound Comparison (High Performance)

Compound Backing Plate Dry Wet Heat Life Best For
Factory Racing Titanium ⚪ Titanium ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ Fast dry gravel and lightweight race builds.
Factory Racing Stealth 🟪 Stealth Purple ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Quiet braking on mixed gravel terrain.
Factory Racing Organic ⚪ Grey ★★★★★★ ★★ ★★ ★★★★ Ultra-quiet braking for commuting and smoother gravel.
Factory Racing — High Durability Green 🟩 Green ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ Mud, dust, sand, heavy contamination & long tours.

🔧 Standard Compound – Gravel & All-Weather Options

Compound Backing Plate Dry Wet Heat Life Best For
Semi-Metallic ⚫ Black ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★ Everyday gravel riding and winter training.
Ceramic – NANO TECH 🟩 Green ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ Dry gravel, minimal noise, reduced rotor wear.
ENDURO Ceramic 🔴 Red ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Hot climates, heavy riders, long dirt descents.
Sintered (Metallic) 🟡 Gold ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★★ ★★★★★ Wet winters, mud, extreme grit & maximum durability.

Helpful Resources

Why Gravel Riders Trust Gorilla Brakes

Hayes mechanical brakes are popular on gravel and CX bikes for their dependability and simplicity. Gorilla Brakes compounds enhance this performance with improved bite, reduced noise and significantly greater durability in harsh off-road environments.

Every Gorilla Brakes pad is produced in small batches to ensure consistent friction, long lifespan and optimal performance in all gravel conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Hayes gravel brake calipers are these pads compatible with?
These pads fit all Hayes calipers used on gravel and cyclocross bikes, including: • Hayes CX Expert • Hayes CX Pro • Hayes CX-5 If your bike uses any CX-series Hayes mechanical disc brake, these pads are compatible.
Which compound is best for Hayes CX Expert, CX Pro or CX-5?
It depends on your terrain: • Enduro Pro Ultimate – steep gravel, heavy riders, loaded bikepacking • Enduro Pro Semi-Metallic – best all-round compound for mixed weather • Factory Racing Stealth – quiet braking for gravel commuting • Factory Racing Green – maximum durability in mud, sand and grit • Sintered (Metallic) – harsh winter gravel & extremely abrasive terrain For most riders, Blue Semi-Metallic is the best balance of power and pad life.
Do Hayes gravel brakes wear pads faster than hydraulic brakes?
Yes. Hayes CX mechanical brakes use cable-pull leverage, which places more friction load on the pads. Combined with gravel’s constant exposure to dust, grit, sand and wet contamination, Hayes pads often wear 2–3× faster than hydraulic road systems.
How do I know when my Hayes gravel pads need replacing?
Replace your pads when: • friction material reaches 1mm • braking power feels reduced • the brakes become noisy or scratchy in wet/dusty conditions • lever travel feels longer due to pad thinning Gravel riders should check pads frequently, especially in muddy or sandy climates.
Do Hayes CX Expert, CX Pro and CX-5 brakes need bedding-in?
Absolutely. Mechanical brakes rely heavily on pad friction for power. Perform 10–15 gradual stops from moderate speed, increasing pressure smoothly. Avoid sudden full lockups early in the process. Proper bedding-in dramatically improves: • bite • wet-weather control • noise reduction • pad longevity