BRAKE PAD CHOICES- Organic, Resin, Semi-metalic, Sintered
Brake pad installation and pad differneces.
When its time to change your pads, there are choices:
Disc Brake Pads
Brake pads are found inside the calipers. They’re designed to clamp down on the rotor at high speeds, which means their main job (besides stopping your bike) is to hold up under heat and friction.
Resin vs. Sintered Brake Pads
photo:Trevor Raab
There are two main types of brake pads. Resin brake pads (also called organic) are composed of organic materials like glass, rubber, and fibrous binders bonded together with resin. Sintered brake pads (also known as metallic) are made of metallic grains that are bonded together at high pressure.
In terms of feel, resin pads are quieter and have a stronger sense of bite. They’re better at managing heat, but they can fade as heat builds up. They also wear more quickly, particularly in muddy conditions. Sintered pads are the choice for riders who do mostly steep, lift-served mountain biking. They produce more heat but are less susceptible to its effects; and they last longer under heavy use and in wet conditions.
Resin pads are what most brakes come with, but you should consider switching to metallic if you’re bigger, ride downhill terrain, or ride mostly in wet weather.
Metal versus Resin
Resin brake pads – also referred to as organic or semi-metallic pads – are made from a mix of fibers held together by resin. Typically, those materials are softer than their metal counterparts, which usually means they are quieter when braking.
Metal brake pads, meanwhile, are sometimes called metallic or sintered, and you guessed it, are made from metallic particles fused together. Metal brake pads are often used for OEM spec, meaning that’s what you’ll go home with if you buy a new bike from a bike shop. This is due to metal brake pads’ versatility and their ability to perform in a wide variety of conditions. This is also why you’ll find metal brake pads on most cars and motorcycles.
Bite and modulation
Metal and resin brake pads feel slightly different in their power delivery and modulation. Deciding which type of pad is right for you comes down to personal preference. Some riders prefer the on-off, near-immediate bite of metal brakes pads. Others lean toward resin’s more modulated feel, which allows you to ramp up power at a more measured pace.
Different types of terrain and your riding style can help decide what pad is best for you. For example, if you ride a gravel bike and are concerned about locking up your wheels on a loose fire road, the enhanced modulation of resin brake pads may give you more control. Conversely, if you’re pedaling a road bike on smooth pavement where traction is typically less of an issue, metal brake pads will likely work just fine — and won’t wear out as fast.
Power, heat management, and fade resistance
When it comes to raw stopping power and heat management, which helps reduce brake fade, metal brake pads are typically your best choice. So, if you’re contesting a super steep enduro mountain bike race, or bombing around on a portly e-bike, metal pads are less likely to fade or lose power due to heat buildup.
Source:https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20023166/the-beginners-guide-to-disc-brakes/
Source:
https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/information/news/brake-pad-breakdown-metal-versus-resin-pads–what-you-need-to-kn.html
