Fibrax Hope XC 4 Piston Sintered Disc Brake Pads

Advantages: Last for ages and easy to fit
Disadvantages: None

...I've used the Avid BB7 mechanical for over three years now & have been satisfied using these sintered (Gold) pads. The setup was both the stock 160mm rotor & 185mm rotor. Even in pouring rain the 160mm plus these Avid pads stop the bike with great modulation. Now I have one installed for the front for my XC bike which stops like a dream. Occasionally dirt and oil may require you to clean them by either soaking the pads in alcohol & sanding a thin layer. In either case, the pads last a long time and the break-in period is fast! (Just pour water on the rotor, go down the hill and brake hard couple times) These brake pads can vary from dealer to dealer but mainly the retail for around £15, there are various online stores that they can pe purchased from including "Evanscycles.com" and "chainreactioncycles.com"... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent performance in wet/muddy conditions, rim friendly, good wear rates
Disadvantages: Pricier than the competition

...This review is for the dual compound cartridge pads. They are black/salmon in colour. A bit of History The real secret of the Kool Stop's superior braking power is the salmon compound. Originally it was developed by Scott-Mathauser, and was recognised as the finest brake pads available, both for it's superior stopping power and durable compound. Kool Stop was under contract to Scott-Mathauser to manufacture their pads.Kool Stop obtained the rights to manufacture the salmon pads when Scott-Mathauser went out of business. The secret of the pads is that they contain iron oxide (i.e. rust), and work on the same principle as sintering does for disc brake pads. They dramatically improve wet weather braking performance as well as wear. Features of the Kool Stop Pads Along with the salmon compound, the pads also feature... Read review

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Advantages: Longlasting, made by a great British company
Disadvantages: Can be a tad fiddly to fit.

...I've had Hope brakes on my mountain bikes for longer than I care to remember, and I've currently got two full suspention bikes set up with Hope M4 brakes, I love the brakes, and have never had a problem with the Hope pads, so I've always stuck with them. I live and ride in South Wales, where it's wet, rocky and more gritty than muddy. I always stick to the sintered pads, and make sure I bed them in properly before I take them out on their first ride. In summer, when it's a little dryer, I've even got a loop I use to specifically bed my pads in (how sad am I?). But it's worth it, as when bedded in properly, the pads last for many, many months before they need changing. Which is good, as although changing the pads isn't difficult, I more often than not, find it a bit of a faff. The pads aren't cheap, coming in around the £12 mark... Read review

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