A braking system will give you peace of mind as you would knowing that you’re safe and ready for anything on the road, despite the conditions. High-quality brake pads ensure strong and consistent stopping force and give you better control over your bike in all situations.
The best bike brake pads are the Kool Stop Dual Compound mountain pads and the Alritz bike brake pads set. The Kool-Stop offers good braking power in dry and wet conditions and are dural compound pads. The Altriz has a curved design that conforms to the wheel’s shape and is made of quality materials.
In this article, I will present the best brake pad options in the market, which are of high quality and offer top-notch safety.
Best Bicycle Brake Pads
- Swiss Stop FlashPro Brake Pads (High End)
- Kool Stop Dual Compound Mountain Pads (Top Pick)
- SHIMANO Road Brake Pads
- BASEEING Brake Pads
- Pangda Road Brake Pads
- Hapleby 4PCS Premium Bike Brake Pads
- Odier Brake Pads
- Alritz Bike Brake Pads Set (Budget Buy)
Compare Top Brake Pads for Road and Mountain Bikes
| Product | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Swiss Stop FlashPro Brake Pads | 78 |  Brake pads don’t overheat easily | Check Out On Amazon |
 Kool Stop Dual Compound Mountain | 86 |  Predictable braking power in dry and wet conditions | Check Out On Amazon |
 SHIMANO Road Brake Pads | 80 | Non-slip design offers superb braking power | Check Out On Amazon |
 BASEEING Brake Pads | 77 | Comes with brake pad sets and comes at an affordable price | Check Out On Amazon |
 Pangda Road Brake Pads | 77 | Brake pads have a V-shape that enables water retention | Check Out On Amazon |
 Hapleby 4PCS Premium | 83 | Constructed from aluminum and durable rubber | Check Out On Amazon |
 Odier Brake Pads | 75 | Offers decent heat dissipation | Check Out On Amazon |
 Alritz Bike Brake Pads | 85 |  Comes with an Allen wrench for easy installation | Check Out On Amazon |
Detailed Analysis of the Best Bike Brake Pads
As we said, we’ve already done most of the research to help you find the best bicycle brake pads for your needs and now we bring you a condensed list based on our findings. Read on for more.
1. Swiss Stop FlashPro Brake Pads
Overall Score: 78
The Swiss Stop FlashPro brake pads are among the best in the game. This is due to the fact that they’re not prone to scratches and dings like most aluminum types.
They’re perfect for outdoor biking because they’re made from durable BXP rubber. The great thing about these brake pads is that they don’t easily overheat.
This makes them unique because it means that they have the ability to take a lot of stress thanks to the abrasion-resistant construction. Basically, they’re not going to crumble and crack under pressure.
The package you get from Swiss Stop comes with four brake pads. You can install them onto the front and back bike tires using the simple bolt-on design.
This means that you can easily install these on your own without having to take them to your local bike shop.
All you need are a few simple tools to install it and you’ll have the best bicycle brake pads installed and ready to go.
Advantages
- Made from non-slip BXP rubber.
- Convenient bolt-on design.
- They can be utilized on aluminum rims.
- 4 pads set.
- Powerful braking experience.
Disadvantages
- They’re not as durable as expected.
2. Kool Stop Dual Compound Mountain Pads
Overall Score: 86
Next in our list, we have the Kool Stop dual compound mountain pads. As the name implies, these brake pads are designed specifically to handle the rigors of use on rough trails.
That’s because the company uses a dual compound to make these brake pads in order to optimize them for efficiency. This makes them useful for wet and dry weather conditions.
It’s all thanks to their non-slip design. You’ll definitely enjoy how effective these brake pads are. They have a unique asymmetric design that allows them to adapt to rim curvature.
This helps to provide optimal braking power over a larger contact surface. They’re definitely the best mountain bike brake pads that money can buy.
Advantages
- Offers predictable braking power in both dry and wet conditions.
- Dural compound pads.
- Efficient asymmetric designs.
- Made in the US.
Disadvantages
- It wears out easily.
3. SHIMANO Road Brake Pads
Overall Score: 80
As soon as you hear the word “Shimano” you know you’re dealing with a quality product.
That’s because Shimano is one of the foremost manufacturers of bicycle parts and accessories in the world, and their road brake pads are no different.
In fact, we can go as far as to say that they are the best road bike brake pads for aluminum that money can buy. That’s because they’re made from weather-proof rubber.
This instantly improves your braking power and they won’t slip and let you down when you encounter water or dust, as is the case with a lot of cheaply made models.
Instead, they work quietly and efficiently and the best part is that they won’t even stain your bike in the process.
Advantages
- Non-slip design offers superb braking power.
- Safe for use on aluminum rims.
- Made with non-staining rubber contacts.
- Works great on wet conditions.
Disadvantages
- They’re not long-lasting.
4. BASEEING Brake Pads
Overall Score: 77
The BASEEING brake pads for mountain bike are a budget-friendly option that comes with two pairs for both the left and right pads.
There are a few unique characteristics that set them apart from other options and have earned them a spot on this review.
For one thing, it’s easy to install and it has a rugged feel that says a lot about how it’s constructed. It’s made from native rubber which is known for its abrasive-resistant and weather-resistant qualities.
When you get the pack in the mail, you’ll get a set of dished washers and nuts that are designed to install and adjust the pads as needed. The only downside is that you have to mount it using your own tools.
Advantages
- Designed for use in different weather conditions.
- Constructed from durable rubber.
- Comes with brake pad sets.
- It comes in an affordable price point.
Disadvantages
- It’s a bit thick and heavy.
- The soft rubber compromises stopping power.
5. Pangda Road Brake Pads
Overall Score: 77
If you’re looking for a set of brake pads that are easy to use and install, look no further than these ones from Pangda.
In the package, you get two sets of rim brake pads for road bikes and an Allen wrench that you can use to install them. Since it’s made from rubber, you can rest assured that it’ll work noiselessly.
This is all while being able to handle both wet and dry weather conditions effortlessly.
It’s also worth noting that you’ll also get a nut and spacer with each brake. This is in addition to a V-shaped pattern that makes it easy to brake effectively on different surfaces.
Advantages
- It can be utilized with a wide array of different road bikes.
- Heat resistant.
- The pads have a V-shape that enables water retention.
- 2 pairs of road bike brake pads.
Disadvantages
- Poor quality rubber feel.
6. Hapleby 4PCS Premium Bike Brake Pads
Overall Score: 83
This set of road bicycle brake pads are made from a high-quality hard-wearing rubber compound, these brake pads are built to last up to 8,000 cycles, making them ideal for those who clock a lot of miles.
The inclusion of V-shaped water-dissipation grooves helps ensure better braking in wet conditions, preventing water and debris from collecting on the rim
These pads are compatible with most V-brakes, making them a versatile option for a wide range of bikes, from mountain to road.
Each pad also features an alignment guide, making it easier to position them correctly on the rim.
The inclusion of four pads in one package adds value, giving you a complete replacement set for both front and rear brakes.
Advantages
- Replacement brake pads have an improved, slightly larger footprint than the original pads.
- Easy to install.
- Effective in wet conditions.
- Less brake squeal.
Disadvantages
- Does not fit well.
- The stopping power on these was poor at initial install.
7. Odier Brake Pads
Overall Score: 75
The great thing about brake pads is that they come in different types and designs. You’ve got Zee, Avid, ZREE, Shimano, and so on.
A lot of these models have plenty of positive reviews from happy customers due to how well they perform in different conditions.
The best quality brake pads are also designed to handle different temperature levels and work noiselessly. After all, this is what you’re looking for when you’re out there enjoying nature on those mountain trails.
These Odier bicycle brake pads tick all of these boxes because they’re well-made to handle most road conditions and they’re very long-lasting.
Advantages
- Powerful and smooth braking.
- It comes in different models to work with different brakes.
- Offers decent heat dissipation.
- Many colors to choose from.
Disadvantages
- A lot of the metallic pads are quite thick.
8. Alritz Bike Brake Pads Set
Overall Score: 85
Alritz has some of the fastest-selling brake pads on the market and it’s not hard to see why.
First of all, they’re constructed from Taiwanese rubber and they don’t have any emery or asbestos included in it as an ingredient.
This can be a safety issue in some brakes. Included in the package you receive three 70mm pads which are suitable for use with road and mountain bikes.
Each pair comes with a right and left side brake pad which you must install accordingly. Thanks to their slightly curved design, these brake pads conform to the wheel perfectly.
There are 5 spacers and 1 hex nut in each brake pad pack. They even give you an Allen wrench so that you can install and remove the brake pads by yourself.
Advantages
- It comes with an Allen wrench for easy installation.
- Curved design conforms to the shape of the wheel.
- Constructed from a combination of aluminum alloy and rubber.
- It works silently.
Disadvantages
- A bit hard to install.
How to Pick the Best Bike Brake Pads
A guide wouldn’t be complete without an understanding of what to look for in order to discern what the best options are.
Now, most bikes use the cantilever and V brake systems in order to come to a stop when you apply the brakes.
But, there are different categories of bicycle brake pads even within those options.
To make your life easier, we’ve put together a few of the most important features to keep in mind as you decide on what the best option is for you specifically.
Material
Rubber is the most common material that’s utilized to make brake pads. That’s because this is a material that’s resistant to rust and corrosion.
However, some pads are made from a combination of rubber and aluminum, or alloy. Each of these materials has something positive to contribute.
Performance
Next, make sure that your bike brake pads are designed to handle different weather conditions so that you can utilize them in different climates and types of terrain.
To determine this, read the description of the product before you buy it to make sure that it actually meets this requirement.
Adjustment
See if the brake pads you purchase are easy to adjust when needed. You don’t need brake pads that are going to give you a hard time when you need to make adjustments.
Make sure that installing and uninstalling the brake pads is easy and doesn’t require any special tools or help from a “professional.”
Backbone
Good quality brake pads are also known for being made from strong and durable materials. You’ll know you’re dealing with solid quality brake pads when they’re corrosion-resistant and rust-resistant.
This means that they can handle the elements, and the backbone should be constructed from the same materials so that it can handle long-distance rides.
Types of Bicycle Brake Pads
There are also different bicycle brake pads types, including:
Rim Brake Pads
Rim brake pads are located on the rim and assist from the level of cantilever arms.
These types of brakes have arms that help to lock your brakes in place so that you’re able to get your bike to stop immediately when you press the handlebar.
These brake pads are very popular among mountain bicycle cyclists because they have a simple and easy-to-use design.
Disc Brake Pads
There’s a round metallic disc on your bike’s wheel tub which is where the brake pad is located. Disc brakes naturally rotate round and round, and starts working when you press on the lever.
This enables the triathlon bike to come to a complete halt as soon as you apply the brakes, so it works quickly and efficiently.
Both
Lastly, you’ve brake pads that are a combination of rim and disc brake systems. As such, they offer exceptional performance while working noiselessly.
They’re also way more durable when compared to both of the previous options mentioned. I have taken the guesswork out of it in my article on ‘Rim brakes vs disc brakes: which one’s better for you?‘
In this guide, I break down the pros and cons of both to help you make the best choice based on your riding style, terrain, and maintenance needs.
When to Change Brake Pads
The best way to determine if it’s time to replace your brake pads is to check its wear. A lot of rim brakes are designed with deep indentations that allow water to flow through and out.
If you don’t see these indentations, then it means that you need to replace your brake pads.
Disc brakes require you to remove them from the brake calipers completely in order to check them.
Ideally, you want them to have 4mm of wear and when this thins to 1mm then it means you should replace them.
Kool Stop Is Made From a Non-abrasive Compound to Extend Rim Life and Delivers Strong Stopping Power…
So, what are the best bike brake pads? In our opinion, the Kool Stop Dual Compound Mountain Pads take the cake for a number of reasons.
The company uses a dual compound to make these brake pads in order to optimize them for efficiency. The non-slip design have a unique asymmetric design that allows them to adapt to rim curvature.