Choosing the Right Brake Pads | Ask The Geek

Organic or sintered, metallic or semi-metallic, HH or HH+?

The brake pads on my 2013 CBR600RR are ready to be replaced, but I’m confused by all the options available. I can choose from organic or sintered, metallic or semi-metallic, HH or HH+. What kind of pad do I need for street riding with one or two trackdays a year thrown in? Deanna Wells Brookneal, VA

Sintered pads (the single pad on the right) are made by molding shards of metal together under high heat and pressure. Organic pads (front and back of the same pad shown on the left) use a mix of carbon-based materials and fibers pressed into shape and bonded to the backing plate.Sport Rider

Brake pads broadly fall into one of two categories: sintered or organic, which refers to the materials and process used to manufacture the pads. Sintered pads are made from shards of metal—typically a copper alloy—along with other materials such as ceramics, graphite, or other metals to modify the pad’s characteristics. Under high pressure and heat, this mix is molded into the shape of the pad and fused together, as well as fused to the metal backing plate. Most OEM pads on sportbikes are sintered, as this type offers good performance in a variety of conditions, along with good wear. On the downside, sintered pads can be hard on rotors; most OEM rotors are made from stainless steel to mitigate this issue.

Organic pads are typically carbon-based and might contain ceramic and/or fibrous materials. These ingredients are mixed and pressed into shape and bonded to the backing plate. Organic pads are generally cheaper and offer less initial bite in terms of performance but with the right rotor (cast iron) can offer better feel and overall performance. Typically, organic pads generate a lot of brake dust and sometimes have difficulty in wet or cold conditions.

Sintered pads are also called metallic or sintered metallic in reference to the copper-alloy base. But organic pads may contain some metallic materials to improve friction and initial bite or alter other properties of the pad, making them semi-metallic pads.

The HH and HH+ designations refer to the friction coefficient of the pad, based on SAE Recommended Practice J866. The first letter indicates friction at low temperatures, and the second indicates friction at high temperatures. H signifies a coefficient of friction greater than 0.55, so an HH pad offers that friction at both high and low temperatures. Other pads may use a GG designation, denoting a friction coefficient greater than 0.45 but not more than 0.55, at high and low temperatures. There is no “HH+” designation in the SAE Recommended Practice, and it would appear that some pad manufacturers have come up with this designation on their own.In terms of brake pad performance, we usually look at three aspects: initial bite, outright stopping power, and feel at the lever. While the ultimate braking force depends largely on the friction rating, it’s the pad’s other materials and properties that determine initial bite and overall feel. These characteristics can be just as important as friction, whether it’s making a sudden stop on the street or trail braking into a corner at 100 mph on the track.

For a mix of street and track, sintered pads are the best option, as they will work well with your OEM rotors, require little break-in (refer to the pad manufacturer’s directions for this), and give good performance under a wide range of conditions. Look for an HH-rated pad so you know it’s got the stopping power, and be sure the manufacturer lists both street and track use in the pad’s description.

Got a question for the Geek? Send him an email at srmail@bonniercorp.com

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