You can usually find replacement brake pads by searching for the model of brakes installed on your bike. Ensure the pads are the same shape as the ones you are replacing. If not, that is a good sign that they are not compatible. If you are unsure, visiting your local bike shop may be best!
Most of our bikes have dual or quad-piston brake designs. This means that 2-4 cylinders in each brake caliper push the pads together. Knowing which type you have is critical to getting the correct replacement pads. To simplify things, we have created a chart below that has the correct pads for each model, along with replacement rotors.2-4 cylinders are
How To Tell When Brakes Need Replacement
Unlike brakes in cars, bicycle brakes do not have auditory queues built into them to help riders determine when the pads and rotors need to be changed. Direct measurement is often the best way to know; however, many experienced mechanics can often tell just by glancing. The following two images go over what to look for for both pads and rotors to determine if they are worn out. ,
Pad Types
- The original replacement pads are going to offer standard levels of performance.
- The pads listed in the quieter column will be an organic compound that will grab quicker with more initial braking bite, perform quieter under adverse conditions, and wear out faster.
It is up to each rider to decide which traits they value in a brake pad and rotor.
Please verify by searching the brake brand and model on your personal bike. Verifying the shape is also essential.
**Due to generational changes, the chart below may not be accurate for your bike.
Bike | Brake Brand and Model | Original Pad | Quieter Pad | Brake Rotors |
Roadster Gravel | Tektro Aries | E10 Pad | E10 Pad (Organic) | 160mm |
Turris | Zoom HB-875 | Shimano M595 | Shimano M595 (Organic) | 180mm |
Core-5 | Tektro Aries | E10 Pad | E10 Pad (Organic) | 160mm |
500 Series | Tektro Aries | E10 Pad | E10 Pad (Organic) | 160mm |
700 Series | Shimano BL-MT200 | E10 Pad | E10 Pad (Organic) | 180mm |
700 Series | Tektro HD-E350 | E10 Pad | E10 Pad (Organic) | 180mm |
Cafe Cruiser | Zoom HB-875 | B01S Pad | B01S Pad | |
LMT'D | Tektro HD-E350 | E10 Pad | E10 Pad (Organic) | 180mm |
LMT'D | Tektro Orion HD-M745 4-piston | Q11TS Pad | Q11TS Pad (Organic) | 180mm |
Prodigy | Tektro Aries | E10 Pad | E10 Pad (Organic) | 180mm |
Prodigy | Tektro Orion HD-M745 4-piston | Q11TS Pad | Q11TS Pad (Organic) | 180mm |
Revv 1 | LBN | Shimano BR-M810 | Shimano BR-M810 Organic | 180mm |
Rift | LBN | Shimano BR-M810 | Shimano BR-M810 Organic | 180mm |
This video from Park Tool explains it very well and may be more than you ever needed to know about brake pads. It will show you how to replace them and discuss the different materials available.
Please also see this related article: Brake Rotor Replacement.