SRAM ELIXIR/DB/LEVEL/T/TL/FORCE/RED Steel Sintered Metal Brake Pads

The original SRAM Sintered Metal brake pads (metal/sintered compound) on a steel backing plate are specially designed to deliver maximum braking performance in the most demanding conditions. Unlike organic pads, the metal compound excels when the weather turns bad, whether in heavy rain, mud or very dusty terrain.

These original manufacturer brake pads guarantee perfect compatibility and excellent heat management on long descents.

They are characterised by extremely powerful braking, significantly slower wear and flawless consistency, even when the brakes heat up.

What is the difference between these Metal pads and the Organic version? It comes down to feel and weather conditions:

• Metal pads (this model): They last longer, withstand heat better and brake hard in mud or rain. In return, they need a slight warm-up to reach their full potential and can be noisier in wet conditions.

• Organic (resin) pads: They provide immediate bite when cold and are very quiet, but wear out much more quickly in the rain or mud.

How do you properly bed in these metal pads? Metal pads require meticulous bedding-in to avoid "glazing" the compound. On a flat, safe surface, get up to around 25 km/h and brake firmly until you reach walking pace (without locking the wheels). Repeat the process around twenty times for the front and the rear. You will feel the braking power increase with each repetition.

My brakes squeal in the rain — is that normal with sintered metal pads? Yes, this is a characteristic inherent to metal components. When wet or cold, metal pads tend to emit a squeal during the first few braking actions. This noise fades once the pads heat up and the water on the disc evaporates.