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Disc Brakes

These are brake pads on two sides of a steel disc attached to the wheel.

Disc

Can attach with a centerlock (ridges w/ locknut) or 6+ bolt on

Andrew G from bikery uses dt swiss centerlock -> 6 bolt adapter

  • this allows him to have both, because the centerlock needs a special tool to remove, it is better to use 6 bolt

My Canyon

Caliper

Shimano 105, BR-RS505

Brake Pads

DISC BRAKE PAD BP-L04C-MF METAL WITH FIN

  • Sintered metal (powdered metal compacted & heated)
  • Works better in wet conditions
  • Squeals in wet
  • Better heat transfer than resin
  • retains more constant friction until 400-500C

Worn back pads 26-01-16

Alternative compatible brands

Jagwire, Taiwan

SwissStop

  • Company started in 1950 for brake pad development
  • Disc 34 indicates the pad is designed for modern Shimano flat-mount road/gravel calipers,
    • Dura-Ace (BR-R9170)
    • Ultegra (BR-R8070)
    • 105 (BR-R7070)
    • GRX
    • RS505/RS405/RS305.
  • It is the equivalent of the Shimano "L-Type" or "K-Type" pad (e.g., L03A, L05A, K03S, K05S)

Cooling fins

cooling fins blog article, why they don't work

There is not much research on performance of fins on brake pads. It is really just a marketing/aesthetic gimmic. One study shows 8% of heat reduction through breakpad geometry, where 92% released through caliper. ResearchGate

Break pads

Reddit thread on disc brake pad guides

disc brake koolstop chart

Maintainance