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Bicycle disc brake pads combine a friction compound with a metal backing plate. The compound creates friction against the rotor; the backing plate supports it inside the caliper. Choosing the right combination helps you get the braking power, feel and lifespan you want.
At Gorilla Brakes, we combine real world riding with controlled dyno testing. Our dyno was built by Adam Read of Hine-R Engineering at his workshop in Darwen, Lancashire. We continually test, improve our compounds and add new data, so a compound reviewed several years ago may have developed since then.
Compare our compounds and dyno results · Find the right brake pads for your bike · Browse our collections
The two main parts of a disc brake pad
Friction compound: the material that contacts the rotor. Its formulation influences friction, initial bite, modulation, temperature behaviour, noise and wear.
Backing plate: the metal support behind the compound. Steel is a common choice; titanium and aluminium offer lighter alternatives where available. The friction material is secured to the backing plate using a manufacturing process suited to the pad’s construction.
What goes into the friction compound?
Brake compounds are engineered blends. Depending on the formulation, they can contain resin binders, reinforcing fibres, metallic or ceramic ingredients, fillers and friction modifiers. The complete blend and its processing determine how the pad behaves.
Terms such as organic, semi metallic, ceramic and sintered describe material families rather than a universal performance rating. Two pads with the same broad material label can have different braking characteristics.
Swipe across the table to see all columns.
| Material family | How it is made | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Organic / resin | A resin bound blend of fibres, fillers and friction modifying ingredients. | Often chosen for braking feel and quieter operation. The exact formulation influences heat behaviour and wear. |
| Semi metallic | A resin bound compound that includes metallic ingredients alongside other friction materials. | A versatile family. Compare the specific product’s intended use and performance range. |
| Ceramic | A friction blend containing ceramic ingredients alongside binders and other materials. | The ceramic label describes part of the formulation. Choose using the product’s riding recommendations. |
| Sintered | Metallic powders are compacted and bonded through a high temperature sintering process. | Our go to Performance compound for wet and muddy rides, with strong wet weather braking and durable performance for rainy commutes and winter riding on conventional bicycles. |
Reinforcing fibres, including aramid in some formulations, can form part of a friction blend. A material family description is not a complete ingredient list for an individual Gorilla Brakes product.
How material choice changes braking
The brake mechanism presses the pads against the rotor. Friction then creates braking torque, so a change of compound can change braking force at the same lever input.
Initial bite describes the response when braking begins. Modulation describes how progressively you can apply and release braking force. Temperature behaviour and wear depend on the formulation, rotor pairing, riding conditions and braking load.
Our dyno graphs show results for the combinations tested. Comparing complete pad and rotor setups helps us make useful recommendations for the way you ride.
Material families and product ranges mean different things
A material family describes how a friction blend is constructed. A product range describes its intended performance and use. Enduro Pro, Factory Racing and Performance are Gorilla Brakes ranges; they are not ingredient lists.
For example, Enduro Pro Resin Black and Factory Racing Organic both belong to the broad resin family but have different formulations and riding recommendations. The everyday Semi metallic compound and Enduro Pro Semi Metallic Blue are also separate products.
Compare all 11 compounds, their intended uses and measured test results, or explore Enduro Pro.
Steel, titanium and aluminium backing plates
Factory Racing Stealth Purple uses a steel backing plate. Factory Racing Titanium offers the same compound performance profile with a lighter titanium backing plate. Our testing found little difference in temperature behaviour between the two, making weight the main reason to choose titanium.
Aluminium backing plates also offer a lighter option where available. Choose the correct fitment and look at the complete pad and rotor combination when comparing test results.
Read the compound and rotor specifications together
Check the exact product name, approved brake fitment and rotor compatibility. A material label alone does not tell you whether a pad is suitable for a particular bicycle or braking load. A rotor marked for resin pads requires a compatible resin compound.
For riding recommendations, use the compound comparison. The Performance range is for conventional bicycles and is not rated for electric bikes.
Bedding in helps the compound perform
Bedding in establishes contact between the pad and rotor and helps develop an even transfer layer. In our initial conditioning tests, we observed green fade in fresh compounds, followed by braking power building with heat in subsequent runs.
Follow the instructions for your pads and brake system. Read our bedding in guide and installation guide, and explore the test explanations on our compound comparison page.
Brake pad materials: common questions
Are organic and resin brake pads the same thing?
In bicycle disc brake terminology, organic and resin commonly refer to resin bound friction compounds. The exact ingredients and performance vary between products.
Are ceramic brake pads made entirely from ceramic?
The name refers to ceramic ingredients within a friction blend. A ceramic pad can also contain binders, fillers and other friction modifying materials.
What does the binder do?
The binder holds the ingredients together in a resin based friction blend. Its formulation and processing contribute to how the finished compound responds to heat and use.
Does a pad colour reveal its ingredients?
Use the named product specification to identify a compound. Colour is a product identifier, not a complete ingredient list or a universal material standard.
Is titanium the friction material?
In Factory Racing Titanium, titanium refers to the backing plate. Its main benefit is lower weight, with the same compound performance profile as Factory Racing Stealth Purple.
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More help choosing your pads
Explore disc brake pad types · Read the complete brake pad guide · Compare compounds and testing