Shimano Mountain Bike Brake Pads

Gorilla Brakes Shimano Mountain Bike Brake Pads are engineered for modern trail, enduro, downhill and eMTB riding. Shimano’s mineral-oil systems are capable of huge braking torque – but long descents, bike-park laps and heavier e-bikes can quickly overwhelm stock pads. Our compounds are designed to deliver stronger bite, better heat management and longer life in real-world UK and alpine conditions.

This collection covers Shimano MTB disc brake calipers from lightweight 2-piston XC brakes to powerful 4-piston gravity systems. You’ll find pad options for XTR, XT, SLX, Deore, Saint, Zee and popular MT-series trail and OEM brakes.

Quick Tip: Use the filter bar below to select your Shimano MTB brake caliper model. Scroll down to compare compounds and choose the perfect pad for your terrain and riding style.

Compatible Shimano Mountain Bike Brake Calipers

This collection includes Gorilla Brakes pads for every major Shimano mountain bike brake system from the newest 12-speed models to older legacy calipers still widely used today. All pads are designed for Shimano mineral-oil hydraulic brakes across XC, trail, all-mountain, enduro, downhill and eMTB riding.

🔷 Latest 2024–2025 Shimano MTB Brakes

  • XTR M9200 Series – BR-M9200 (2-piston), BR-M9220 (4-piston)
  • Deore XT M8200 Series – BR-M8200 (2-piston), BR-M8220 (4-piston)
  • SLX M7100 Series – BR-M7100 (2-piston), BR-M7120 (4-piston)
  • Deore M6100 Series – BR-M6100 (2-piston), BR-M6120 (4-piston)
  • Alfine / City MTB – BR-S7000, BR-S500 (shares MTB pad shapes)

🔷 Enduro / DH / Gravity Brakes

  • Saint – BR-M820, BR-M810
  • Zee – BR-M640
  • Older Saint – BR-M810, BR-M800

🔷 Previous Generation Shimano Trail & All-Mountain Brakes

  • XTR – BR-M9120, M9100, M9020, M9000, M987, M985
  • XT – BR-M8120, M8100, M8020, M8000, M785, M775, M765
  • SLX – BR-M7120, M7100, M675, M666, M7000
  • Deore – BR-M6120, M6100, M615, M596, M595, M535
  • Non-Series Trail – BR-T785, BR-T675, BR-T615

🔷 Shimano MT Series (OEM & Aftermarket)

Common on trail bikes, hardtails & eMTBs:

  • 4-piston MT Series – BR-MT520, MT420
  • 2-piston MT Series – BR-MT500, MT501, MT200, MT201, MT400, MT410, MT411

🔷 Hybrid / XC / Fitness Models That Use MTB Pad Shapes

  • BR-E6100, BR-UR300, BR-R317 (MTB-compatible pad profiles)
  • BR-R315, BR-R313 (flat-bar XC/fitness)

🔷 Legacy Shimano MTB Calipers (Still Widely Used)

  • Deore LX / Deore-era – BR-M585, M575, M525, M515
  • Older XT / XTR – BR-M755, M756, M765, M775, M965
  • Older SLX / Alivio / Acera – BR-M445, M446, M447, M465, M475, M486, M495
  • OEM Non-Series – Covers dozens of private-label Shimano calipers sharing B, G/J shapes

If your Shimano MTB brake appears above — or uses the same pad shape — you can confidently choose any Gorilla Brakes compound on this page. Select the correct pad type (2-piston or 4-piston), then choose the compound that fits your riding style, terrain and rotor size.

Choosing the Right Compound for Shimano MTB

Shimano MTB brakes are known for their powerful bite and easy modulation, but long descents, heavy bikes and muddy conditions create a lot of heat and wear. Gorilla Brakes compounds are tuned to give you more control, better fade resistance and longer pad life – whether you’re riding local trail centres, bike parks or full alpine enduro stages.

Enduro Pro is our highest-performance option for aggressive riding and eMTB. Factory Racing compounds deliver quiet, high-power braking with race-focused feel, while our Standard compounds provide durable all-weather performance for everyday MTB use.

🏆 Enduro Pro Compound Comparison (Highest Performance)

Compound Backing Plate Dry Perf. Wet Perf. Heat Dissipation Life-span Best For
Enduro Pro Ultimate 🟧 Orange ★★★★★★ ★★★★★★ ★★★★★★ ★★★★★★ Maximum stopping power for Shimano Saint, Zee, XTR/XT 4-piston brakes, bike-park laps, eMTB and long alpine descents.
Enduro Pro Semi-Metallic 🔵 Blue ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ All-round trail/enduro performance on XT, SLX and Deore brakes in mixed conditions, including UK winters.
Enduro Pro Resin ⚫ Black ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Quiet braking and excellent modulation for XC and lighter trail riders using 2-piston Shimano brakes.

🏁 Factory Racing Compound Comparison (High Performance)

Compound Backing Plate Dry Perf. Wet Perf. Heat Dissipation Life-span Best For
Factory Racing Titanium ⚪ Titanium ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ Weight-conscious XTR/XT XC and marathon builds in mainly dry conditions.
Factory Racing Stealth 🟪 Stealth Purple ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Quiet but powerful braking for SLX/Deore and XT trail/enduro bikes in mixed weather.
Factory Racing Organic ⚪ Grey ★★★★★★ ★★ ★★ ★★★★ Ultra-quiet singletrack and woodland riding where low rotor noise and smooth feel are the priority.
Factory Racing – High Durability Green 🟩 Green ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ Bike-park days, uplift riding, wet UK winters and eMTB use where pad life on Shimano 4-piston brakes is critical.

🔧 Standard Compound – MTB & All-Weather Options

Compound Backing Plate Dry Perf. Wet Perf. Heat Dissipation Life-span Best For
Semi-Metallic ⚫ Black ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★ Everyday trail riding and blue/red graded singletrack on Shimano Deore, SLX and XT brakes.
Ceramic – NANO TECH 🟩 Green ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★ Dry XC/trail conditions, reduced rotor wear and lighter riders looking for sharp lever feel.
ENDURO Ceramic 🔴 Red ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ Hot climates, long mountain descents and heavier riders on XT/SLX/Deore 4-piston brakes.
Sintered (Metallic) 🟡 Gold ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★★ ★★★★★ The wettest, muddiest conditions, winter riding and high-mileage eMTB commuting on Shimano MTB brakes.

Helpful Resources

Need help choosing the right Shimano pads? Contact Gorilla Brakes support for expert advice.

Why Mountain Bikers Trust Gorilla Brakes on Shimano

Gorilla Brakes pads are real-world tested on Shimano-equipped XC, trail, enduro, downhill and eMTB bikes across UK trail centres, European bike parks and long alpine descents. Riders choose our compounds for stronger bite, better control on steep terrain and consistent performance in all conditions.

Every pad is produced in small batches to ensure consistency, durability and excellent noise reduction, helping you get the most from your Shimano MTB brakes on every ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Shimano MTB brakes are these pads compatible with?
This collection covers all major Shimano mountain bike hydraulic systems, including XTR (M9200/M9100), XT (M8200/M8100), SLX (M7100), Deore (M6100), Saint, Zee, and MT-Series OEM brakes (MT520, MT420, MT500, MT410, MT200). It also fits many older calipers that share the same pad shapes.
What compound is best for Shimano MTB riding?
Enduro Pro Ultimate – Maximum power for aggressive enduro, DH, eMTB and long alpine descents. • Enduro Pro Semi-Metallic – Best all-rounder for trail and enduro riders in mixed conditions. • Factory Racing Stealth – Quiet, smooth braking for trail riding and damp climates. • Standard Sintered – Best for winter mud, wet UK riding and long-lasting eMTB durability.
Do Shimano 2-piston and 4-piston brakes use different pads?
Yes. Shimano’s 2-piston XC/trail calipers (XTR/XT/SLX/Deore M9100/M8100/M7100/M6100) use narrow pad shapes, while 4-piston models (M9220/M8120/M7120/M6120, Saint, Zee) use a wider pad with larger surface area. This collection supports both types.
How long do Shimano MTB brake pads last?
It depends on terrain and riding style: • XC riders: 600–1,500 km • Trail/enduro riders: 300–800 km • eMTB, DH or wet UK riding: 100–400 km Steep descents, rotor size, rider weight and conditions all influence pad life.
Why upgrade from Shimano stock pads?
Factory pads can fade under heat, wear quickly in mud and lose bite on long descents. Gorilla Brakes compounds offer: • stronger initial bite • improved heat stability • quieter performance • longer lifespan—especially on enduro/DH and eMTB systems