Ultralight SLX / XT / XTR Brake Pads

These brake pads from Discobrakes are for Shimano XTR, XT, SLX and LX disc brakes as well as Hygia SLP and Elite disc brakes. They are aluminium backed and weigh only 8g for a pair. The compound is semi-metallic / non-asbestos.


Discobrakes XTR superlight aluminium backed pads

Note: my scales show the pads weighing 7g, but the scale is only accurate to +/- 1g, so factor in the pads actually weighing 8g as claimed by the manufacturer.

If you're interested in the weights of a variety of XTR brake pads then have a look at the article on Shimano XTR brake pad weights .

How do these ultralight XTR brake pads perform?

Performance of this pads is pretty much indistinguishable from those of the standard metal backed semi-metallic Hygia pads. The aluminium backing that makes these so light seems to have no beneficial or adverse effects on brake performance. Time will tell whether they wear quicker than the stock pads.

Update - October 2011

I've ran through 4 sets of these pads along with the Hygia stock rotors and Alligator Aries rotors.

In the dry, these pads are great, but I've found that in the wet when combined with the Alligator Aries rotors they have a fairly short life. Not only do they wear fast, but large chunks of pad material seems to get dislodged.

Related articles:

Shimano XTR brake pad weights

TruckerCo Brake Pads

These are the TruckerCo brake pads organic semi metallic for Magura MT2, MT4, MTS, MT6, MT8.

Deal Extreme XML bike light

What's in the box?

Lightweight disc brake rotors

Here's some information I have collected on 180, 160 and 140mm lightweight disc brake rotors:

Magura MT8 Brake Levers

Two sets of levers, clamps and master cylinders weigh 112g. Levers, master cylinder body and lever clamp are made from carbon fiber / carbotecture.

Hygia SLP disc brakes

What comes with the set?