SHIMANO XT/XTR METAL VS. RESIN PAD COMPOUND TEST
Choosing modulation over sheer power
Brake designers tirelessly test different pad compounds and materials to
ensure you’re getting the most out of your stoppers. However, there’s plenty of
misinformation about what different pad materials are designed for. We set out
to dispel some of the rumors by equipping the same brake with completely
different pad compounds to see if the claims from the testing labs at Shimano
actually translate to real trail performance.
Tech features: Shimano offers several types of brake pads for their XT and XTR brakes.
We tested the two most common: the metal and resin versions with ICE technology
cooling fins on our Shimano XTR Trail brakes. The metal pad (clearly etched on
the pad’s backing plate) material is sintered to a steel backing plate, which
essentially means it’s applied in layers and welded on. The resin version is
bonded to an aluminum backing plate. The resin pad is a softer material that is
designed to provide more modulation and noise control at the cost of raw power
and fade resistance. The metal pad uses a much higher percentage of metal in
the compound, resulting in a more rigid construction. This is designed to
increase power, fade resistance and durability at the cost of noise and modulation.
It also increases the weight about a third of an ounce per pair. The resin pads
retail for around $30, and the
metal pads retail for roughly $40. Shimano USA
can be contacted at
(949) 951-5003.
Resin
Metal
Field test results: We installed the pads, front and rear, on a Yeti
SB-66 test bike for two separate testing periods. Bedding in new pads when they
are installed is a critical step to getting the most out of them. We performed
40–50 controlled stops from 5–10 miles per hour. This process transfers a small
amount of pad material to the rotor and preps the pad surface for real-world
braking. Don’t skip this step. We found the resin pads bed in and achieve full
power more quickly than the metal ones.
The metal: Our test period with the metal pads included every condition— from dry,
hot and dusty to huge single- track descents with mud and stream crossings. Our
pads proved up to the challenge, delivering predictable power even under these
harsh conditions. The pads have an on/off feel that achieves maximum power
quickly as the lever is applied. While the modulation range is small, it’s
usable on just about any bike. However, these pads could be overkill for most
cross-country applications—unless the rider prefers lots of quick power. In wet
or muddy conditions, the pads make noise, but less than other brakes. Even in
these conditions, the brakes still stop on command.
The resin: Our resin pads were primarily tested in the SoCal sun but also saw a few
late-season Colorado rides through mud and snow. These pads have an extremely
smooth feeling and deliver adequate power for most riding styles. We loved the
great modulation and huge range of power that could be generated with these
pads. While we had to apply more lever force to generate the initial bite, the
usable power range on the XTR brakes is much larger with the resin pads. Both
pads deliver quiet braking, but the resin is certainly quieter. We were unable
to get either pad to fade during even long descents, possibly thanks to the ICE
tech rotors and pad cooling fins. Conclusion: The XT and XTR brakes are
currently our favorite trailbike brakes. We knew we would like both pads, but
we expected the raw power of the metal pads to win out. To our surprise, for
most circumstances we tested in, we preferred the resin. The resin material
comes as the stock pad for most, but not all, XT and XTR brakes. If you ride a
downhill race bike, park bike, or frequently ride aggressive long descents, you
will appreciate the power and fade resistance of the metal pads. For all other
applications, we preferred the resin hands down. Our suggestion would be to
start there and upgrade to the more expensive metal pads if you need them.
Reprinted from our March 2012 issue. Like us on Facebook