Choose the right brake pads

Modern motocross and enduro bikes have disc brakes both front and rear. If you browse MXestore's brake pages, you will see long and short brake pads. The brake caliper determines the size and shape of the brake pads, regardless of whether they are for front or rear brake calipers.

Brake pads are model specific, so find the brake pads that fit your bike using our parts finder at the top of the page. Which manufacturer makes the best brake pads is entirely up to the rider, who often finds his favorite by testing himself or recommendations from other riders.

What material should I choose for my brake pads?

The biggest difference between the brake pads is the difference in material. That is why we pay attention here to different material compositions.

The friction material in MX brake pads heats up and is pressed onto a metal brake disc. By mixing different materials, the brake pads can offer different performance and feel.

Organic composition: The material in organic brake pads consists of rubber, fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon and glass, which are bonded together with resin. The result is an everyday brake pad that offers average performance and longevity. They are also known for not squeaking under hard braking.

The organic brake pad offers good initial braking. However, these brake pads wear out faster because they cannot dissipate heat as quickly. The brake lever or pedal may feel soft with this composition. These brakes are not good in wet or muddy conditions and are more common for traffic use.

Sintered compound: These brake pads contain several metal particles such as copper in their composition. The metal content of the brake pads means that it takes longer for them to reach their working temperature. However, they withstand very high temperatures and do not wear out during strong continuous braking.

Wet or muddy conditions also have no major negative impact on the sintered pads, and braking performance remains strong and consistent. Under continuous hard braking, they can emit more heat and noise than organic brake pads, but for a motocross rider, this does not pose a problem. Sintered brake pads make the brake levers feel more stable, so if you're used to waiting until the last second with hard braking, these pads are a good choice for you.

Semi-sintered: Brake pads have the same composition as sintered brakes. But they contain a smaller amount of metal for smoother, less dramatic braking.

Ceramic composition: Ceramic is the basic material in earthenware. Combined with copper fiber and resin, ceramic brake pads provide low dust content and low noise levels during heavy braking. They also provide good braking power and have good thermal conductivity, which means they are relatively free from brake fatigue.

Ceramic brakes also last longer than sintered, semi-sintered and organic brakes. They provide good feedback and feel when braking. If you are used to braking early and like predictable and gradual braking, ceramic brakes are a good choice for you.

When should I change the brake pads?

The interval for brake changes depends on your driving style and driving frequency. But in general, cross and enduro riders wear out the rear brakes faster than the front brakes. So regular inspection of brake pads and brake discs is highly recommended.

When the friction material is about 2 mm, it is time to replace the brake pads. Failure to do this before they wear down to the metal will result in a significant loss of performance. Even worse, it can lead to damage to the brake disc.