Bike Lover

Okay, I need some help. I have old Magura Louise brakes (pre-01) and need replacement pads. Some time ago when I was having a problem I bought EBC green pads 'cause they were designed for XC (which is the riding I do) and have a pretty good rep for cars. Well, I finally got around to changing out one set and they're aweful!!! (Luckily, it was only my front pads ).

The stock pads were about 10x more powerful and it didn't leave me with warm fuzzies. In fact, instead of my "racing the trail" I just took my time and slowly rode it because I didn't have any confidence in the stopping power.

Okay, so EBC's greens are out of the question, are any of the other formulas any good (red or yellow, I believe), I think Performance had another brand that I'm not familiar with, and then there's the standard Magura replacements that come in two flavors, endurance and XC(?).

I really don't want to keep burning through different pads (and money) to determine there isn't a cheaper alternative out there than the original replacements from Mag. (at $25 a set, ouch!). And even then, what's the difference between the two types that Mag. sells??

Help!!

Bike Lover

So, no one has an opinion on which brake pads are good for XC riding??

Hank Rearden

Just like on a car, new brake pads need to be properly bedded before they will deliver full stopping power.

Find a hill, ride down it at speed, apply the front brakes hard until you come to a complete stop. Repeat around ten times until the pads are properly bedded.

The problem is not the type of pads you are using but the fact that you haven't completed the installation process.

Bike Lover

Thanks for the reply Hank. I'll give them another shot, but I certainly don't have my hopes up. So, just in case, what are the "good" pads people are using.

Also, if it matters, these were purchased about '02-'03 time frame so could the pad compound have changed?

Hank Rearden

Back in the dark ages when I ran Louises I used EBC greens or the stock magura pads.

mx_599

i use ebc green stuff with my truck over sized rotors with good results. i have not needed to replace my mtb pads yet so i cannot say for them. i think you should give them another chance as well. try what hank told you. i would still tend to believe they are quality pads. i am not saying you did anything wrong.

i would clean rotor and pads with brake cleaner and break them in and see how they are.

i would appreciate a follow-up post regarding whether or not the green pads work for you for my own future reference.

thanks

Bike Lover

That's funny!

Bike Lover

I'll work on them and let you know!

The Great Stonk

i only personally use ebc pads in my brakes. ive tried all compounds, generally theonly reason to have greens is if you cant afford a couple extra notes to get the golds...

basically greens = for people who just want to be able to stop. using greens in my juicy 5's results in lower stopping power, theyre not as grabby, and the feel at the lever is alot more mushy.

golds give way more power (1 finger braking) they last longer, and the lever feel is improved to no end. only down side is they heat up alot more and so arnt really reccomended for extended downhill use.

reds are SAVAGE stoppers, but the wear rate on them is fairly high, theyre generally for downhill use only.

if in doubt, get golds.

Bike Lover

Thanks Stonk! That's the kind of info I was digging for.

Bike Lover

Okay, quick updated because I was asked. The Greens are okay for stopping power. That is to say they stop fairly well but not quite as well as the Magura pads I replaced. The Maguras had more bite and have more power to stop. I think the Maguras I replaced are the XC's, but I'm not sure as I didn't know, until recently, there were two flavors.

After what The Great Stonk replied, I'm *very* interested in trying the golds. They sound more like what I was looking for.