Sintered vs Resin Brake Pads: What’s the Difference?


🦍

Choosing between sintered and resin (organic) disc brake pads comes down to conditions, braking load and feel. Below is a clear comparison, plus shortcuts to the right pads for your bike.

Want the full overview? Read the Complete Bike Brake Pads Guide.
Quick tip: If you ride in wet grit or do long descents, start with sintered. If you prioritise quieter braking and smooth feel in mostly dry conditions, start with resin.

What’s the Difference?

🟡 Sintered Brake Pads

Metallic particles fused under heat and pressure. Built for durability, wet performance and consistent braking under heavy load.

⚪ Resin (Organic) Brake Pads

Organic fibres with resin binders. Known for smooth modulation, lower noise and great lever feel — especially in drier conditions.

Sintered vs Resin: Side-by-Side

Performance Factor Sintered Resin (Organic)
Wet / Mud / Grit Excellent contamination tolerance Can lose performance sooner in abrasive conditions
Heat / Long Descents Stronger heat stability and consistency More likely to glaze or fade under sustained heat
Pad Life Typically longer-lasting Typically shorter in wet/gritty use
Noise Can be louder (setup-dependent) Often quieter
Modulation / Feel Strong power, stable under load Very smooth and progressive
Rotor Wear Can increase rotor wear vs resin Often gentler on rotors

Want to compare every compound? Use the Compound Comparison Chart.

When Sintered Makes Sense

  • Wet weather, mud, grit, winter riding
  • Long descents, bike parks, sustained braking
  • Heavier riders or loaded bikes
  • Full-power e-bikes (higher system weight)

When Resin Makes Sense

  • Dry conditions and shorter descents
  • You want quieter braking
  • You prioritise smooth modulation
  • Road and gravel riders focusing on lever feel

What If You Want a Middle Ground?

If you ride mixed conditions and want an all-round balance between durability, feel and noise behaviour, semi-metallic is often the best place to start.

Don’t Skip Bedding-In

Whatever compound you choose, correct bedding-in helps stabilise power, reduce noise, and improve consistency. Follow our Bedding-In Guide.

Quick FAQs

Are sintered pads always better in the wet?
In general, sintered pads handle wet, mud and grit extremely well — especially when braking load is high. Clean rotors, correct bedding-in and alignment still matter.
Why are my brakes noisy after switching compounds?
Noise often comes from rotor contamination, glazing, poor bedding-in, or pad/rotor compatibility. If you want help, message us via Customer Support.
Do I need different pads for MTB vs road vs gravel vs eBike?
Often yes — because braking load and conditions change. Start with your riding type: MTB, Road, Gravel, eBike.
Where can I compare all Gorilla Brakes compounds?
Use our Compound Comparison Chart or the Complete Bike Brake Pads Guide.

🚀 Performance Compound Ranges

For riders demanding higher braking consistency, improved heat control and refined modulation under sustained load.

🏁 Factory Racing Collection

🏆 Enduro Pro Series