Shimano Gravel Bike Brake Pads

Gorilla Brakes Shimano Gravel Brake Pads are engineered for the extreme conditions of adventure riding, bikepacking and mixed-terrain gravel routes. Designed to outperform standard pads in mud, dust, rain and long off-road descents, our compounds deliver powerful bite, quiet operation and excellent heat stability.

This collection includes pads for the complete Shimano GRX family and all Shimano gravel-compatible flat-mount calipers used on modern gravel and cyclocross bikes. Whether you ride steep fire roads, long bikepacking tours or fast hard-pack gravel, Gorilla Brakes pads ensure consistent braking and extended pad life.

Quick Tip: Use the filter bar below to select your Shimano GRX or gravel-compatible brake model. Scroll down to compare compounds and choose the perfect pad for your terrain.

Compatible Shimano Gravel Brake Calipers

This collection covers all Shimano GRX and gravel-compatible disc brake systems, including both 12-speed and 11-speed platforms, as well as earlier non-series gravel/cyclocross flat-mount calipers. All data below is taken directly from Gorilla Brakes’ technical reference files.

  • GRX 12-Speed: BR-RX820 (Front/Rear Flat Mount)
  • GRX 11-Speed: BR-RX810 – High-performance gravel hydraulic caliper
  • GRX 11-Speed Mid-Tier: BR-RX600 – Adventure/all-terrain caliper
  • GRX 10-Speed: BR-RX400 / BR-RX410 – Entry gravel/cyclocross systems
  • Shimano Gravel-Compatible Non-Series: BR-RS805, BR-RS505, BR-RS405, BR-RS305
  • Shimano CX / Early Gravel Mechanical: BR-CX77, BR-CX75, BR-R317, BR-R517, BR-R315/515

If your gravel bike uses any Shimano GRX or Shimano gravel-compatible flat-mount caliper, simply select a pad shape above and choose the compound that best matches your terrain and riding style.

Choosing the Right Compound for Shimano GRX

Gravel riding generates more heat, vibration and contamination than road cycling, so compound selection matters. Gorilla Brakes compounds are engineered for powerful braking on loose surfaces, long gravel descents and fully loaded bikepacking rigs.

🏆 Enduro Pro Compound Comparison (Highest Performance)

Compound Backing Plate Dry Wet Heat Life Best For
Enduro Pro Ultimate 🟧 Orange ★★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★★ ★★★★★★ Steep gravel descents, heavy riders, loaded bikepacking.
Enduro Pro Semi-Metallic 🔵 Blue ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ All-weather gravel and mixed-terrain endurance rides.
Enduro Pro Resin ⚫ Black ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Quiet braking and smooth modulation on light gravel.

🏁 Factory Racing Compound Comparison (High Performance)

Compound Backing Plate Dry Wet Heat Life Best For
Factory Racing Titanium ⚪ Titanium ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ Dry gravel, lightweight performance builds.
Factory Racing Stealth 🟪 Stealth Purple ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Quiet braking with strong power in mixed weather.
Factory Racing Organic ⚪ Grey ★★★★★★ ★★ ★★ ★★★★ Smooth, ultra-quiet gravel commuting.
Factory Racing — High Durability Green 🟩 Green ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ Bikepacking, wet gravel, mud, grit and long-distance durability.

🔧 Standard Compound – Gravel & All-Weather Options

Compound Backing Plate Dry Wet Heat Life Best For
Semi-Metallic ⚫ Black ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★ Everyday gravel, fitness bikes, winter training.
Ceramic – NANO TECH 🟩 Green ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ Dry gravel, reduced rotor wear and clean riding conditions.
ENDURO Ceramic 🔴 Red ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Hot climates, heavy riders, long gravel mountain descents.
Sintered (Metallic) 🟡 Gold ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★★ ★★★★★ Wet, muddy, harsh winter gravel & ultra-durable touring.

Helpful Resources

Why Gravel Riders Trust Gorilla Brakes

Our Shimano GRX gravel pads are tested across UK gritstone, European alpine gravel, and multi-day bikepacking routes. Riders choose Gorilla Brakes for consistent braking in mud, rain, dust, heat and long-distance adventure conditions.

All pads are manufactured in small, controlled batches to guarantee durability, friction stability and quiet braking — even under the extreme grinding conditions of modern gravel riding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Shimano GRX brake pads wear faster on gravel than on road?
Yes — gravel conditions typically increase wear due to mud, dust, grit and longer braking on rough terrain. GRX pads may wear 2–3× faster than on road bikes. For riders who tour or ride in wet conditions, Factory Racing Green or Sintered compounds offer the longest lifespan.
How do I know when my GRX brake pads need replacing?
Replace Shimano GRX pads when friction material reaches around 1mm, when braking power drops, or when noise increases in wet/muddy conditions. Riders using bikepacking setups or riding in abrasive terrain should inspect pads more frequently.
Do Shimano GRX brake pads need bedding-in?
Yes. Proper bedding-in is essential for full power and quiet performance. Perform 10–15 controlled stops from moderate speed, increasing brake pressure gradually. Avoid full wheel lockups during the first stops. A correct bedding-in process improves power, consistency, silence and pad life, especially important on gravel.
hich Shimano gravel brake calipers are these pads compatible with?
These pads are compatible with the full Shimano GRX range — RX820, RX810, RX600, RX400/RX410 — and gravel-compatible non-series flat-mount calipers such as RS805, RS505, RS405, and RS305. We also support Shimano CX mechanical calipers used on early gravel builds: BR-CX77, CX75, R317, R517, and R315/515.
Which compound is best for Shimano GRX gravel riding?
For steep gravel descents and loaded bikepacking, select Enduro Pro Ultimate. For all-weather gravel and mixed terrain, choose Enduro Pro Semi-Metallic. For quiet braking, choose Factory Racing Stealth. For maximum pad life in mud, grit and winter conditions, choose Factory Racing Green. For harsh, wet riding and ultra-durability, choose Sintered (Metallic).