EBC provides a Red-coded Kevlar-based pad, which has a shorter lifetime , but the highest friction pad material available. It also has the benefit of a very low heat generation transfer into the hydraulics.
Submitted by
Stan Chang
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand Date Reviewed: October 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$170.00
Purchased At:
AutoPassion
Strengths:
For the latest generation of EBC RED Stuff produced in 2007 with different compunds is alot better and reliable than the old generation in few years ago. Better Stopping power when warm-up compare with Factory Stock Pads. Very little dust. No noise has been heared yet.
Weaknesses:
Requires a Warm-Up, when cold the stopping power is not as good as the factory stock pads.
Similar Products Used:
Bendix
Bottom Line:
If you are buying the EBC Red Stuff, Make SURE you get the latest generation!!! as the old generation of the Red Stuff squeals loud and wears fast also dust badly :( But the latest generation is very good ;) low dust and last alot longer and longer rotor life + has not heared noise from it yet my-self.
It's not suggest for those who lives in a very cold country to buy this pads as they requires a warm-up to stop better. Even in New Zealand it requires about 1 min of warm up time, other-wise the stopping power seems to be less than the factory stock pads :(
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian-cdn
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Canada Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Bikeroom (!!!)
Strengths:
more grip on long downhills
Weaknesses:
A bit grabby after a day of DH, but other pads seem to do it too.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Formula, Koolstop, EBC Golds
Bike Setup:
PlanetX Ridgeback with Hayes Mags
Bottom Line:
They stop better than the Hayes sintered, semi-metallic, and Koolstop pads. I just install them for ski hill trips, and run the Hayes or Koolstop pads the rest of the time, so no issues with wear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
K-dog
a Racer
from Glenwood, NY Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Whiteface
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
QBP
Strengths:
Increase power and modulation from stock pads. There is no better pad out there.
Weaknesses:
Wear fast, always out of stock at distributors
Similar Products Used:
Kool top, Clarks, Avid, Hayes, jagwire
Bike Setup:
Haro .357 magnum, sram all the way Cane Creek Double barrel.
Bottom Line:
If you are a racer and want to squeeze every millisecond off your time these pads are for you. They are also a great upgrade if you need more braking power but don't want to buy new brakes. They wear very fast and would not use them for Freeride. Dry XC I think you could get a half season out of them. I tend to use one pair during a race weekend, 15-20 DH runs
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
adamo oak
a Cross Country Rider
from Warsaw Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$21.00
Purchased At:
EBC Shop
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Everything. It was the worst brake pads I have ever had
Similar Products Used:
Kool Stop, Jagwire
Bike Setup:
Merida/XTR/DT Swiss/Mavic/Formula
Bottom Line:
I bought this pads about 2 days ago. After 5km!!!!! riding one of pads disapeard!! At first I didn't know what is going on, but after remove pads form caliper I saw what's happened. One of pads was totaly destroyed.
If you want to buy a new pads don't buy EBC pads!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dion
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, VIC, Australia Date Reviewed: October 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Internet
Strengths:
Intial Good Modulation and Braking Power.. Until the Pad destroyed itself in less than 6 hours riding
Weaknesses:
Pad Quality
Similar Products Used:
Hayes, Alligator
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic, XT, RaceFace, Marzocchi, Mavic, Hayes
Bottom Line:
Decent performance for the for about an hour of riding before the one of the pads destroyed itself and left me with virtually no front brake, damager caliper and rotor.
Would not recommend these for either cross country or downhill regardless of how often they are replaced as if the pad destroys itself in the manner it did in my case then there could be serious health implications if it happens when you need to stop in a hurry!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
void
a Downhiller
from Riga, Latvia Date Reviewed: September 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$21.00
Purchased At:
Morzine
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Soft lever feel less power compared to stock pads
Similar Products Used:
Hayes HFX-Mag stock
Bike Setup:
VP-Free, Boxxer ...
Bottom Line:
Hayes original pads are way to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from canada Date Reviewed: May 25, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
local srore
Strengths:
excellent power and modulation little fade
Weaknesses:
noiser than stock pads
Similar Products Used:
kool stop, stock shimano
Bike Setup:
rmb element team
Bottom Line:
Loved these pads. I ride about 8 hours per week min during the summer and the occasional winter ride and they lasted one full season as a front brake. I even did a 24 hour race in the wet where i rode for 6 hours and they still lasted. I am fairly light though at 155 lbs. I admit they give a lot of dust and are a bit noisy but they stop in all conditions. They did not fade at all in the downhill sections i have rode on my bike. I am currently replacing them with the same front and rear and would reccomend these to anyone who is light.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pete
a Downhiller
from Toronto Date Reviewed: June 9, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Strengths:
None. Absolutely none.
Weaknesses:
I almost died using them.
Similar Products Used:
Stock Hayes sintered and fully metalic, koolstop, avids, etc.
Bottom Line:
These pads lasted about 10 DH runs before they disintegrated into nothing while on a fast DH run through an intermediate course. No rear brake. Hard left turn. Bailed. Lots of injuries and internal bleeding. I keep the scored remnants of the pads taped inside of my toolbox to remind me why to never use anything but stock pads.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RandyP
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine CA Date Reviewed: October 31, 2004
Favorite Trail:
San Juan Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
These pads are real POS
Weaknesses:
50% worn out after one 25 mile XC race.
Similar Products Used:
EBC Gold, OEM Avid
Bike Setup:
SC Blur Avid mechanicals
Bottom Line:
The worst pads I have ever owned. I bought them to replace EBC Gold which howled worse than the stock Avid pads. After bedding them in last week and being fairly pleased with their performance, I raced with them today. Bad move. On the first downhill, it felt like my cable was slipping. The lever plain went to the bar. It was the pad scrubbing away. I had to dismount 3x during the race to readjust my brakes.
I am not real heavy (170 lbs) and the DH was only 0.1 mile so how coiuld they go away so fast? I'm going back to Avids and will put up with the howl. At least the Avid pads lasted me 600 miles. These won't go 100. They claim these pads are designed for DH racing? Maybe a DH racer would like them if they never use the brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Smiley
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: May 3, 2004
Favorite Trail:
always finding another one!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Impressive power compared to stock hayes pads. Very little burnish time.Lever feel to me, is somewhat softer than stock which i like. Good modulation after the impressive bite.
Weaknesses:
Wear rate is much faster than stock pads, but is to be expected of a compound that gives you more power. Supplied retaining clips were much weaker than those supplied with the stock pads. So much so that i could freely pull the pads in and out without any resistance. Just make sure they stay in, swap the clips or give them a gentle bend.
Similar Products Used:
Stock hayes pads
Bike Setup:
EBC reds front. Stock hayes back.
Bottom Line:
For those looking for more power out of their brakes. A must have. Are a little more expensive than stock but you can look around for a good deal. Note: Wear rate is much faster than stock and lever feel is also a little softer too. 4 chillies for value - they do perform as advertised. Overall rating is 5 chillies - you can't expect to have anything for free i guess..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Jechon, Korea Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Haso-ri
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Good bite, power, and feel.
Weaknesses:
Wears super fast.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT, Kool Stop.
Bike Setup:
2002 Giant AC Team, Shimano XT hydraulic brakes with 8" A2Z rotor in front.
Bottom Line:
I was pretty happy with the extra bite, but noticed a lot of black residue on the calipers after rides, and I don't ride that long or hard. Then, after only 200 miles, I heard a nasty scraping sound. One pad was already down to the metal. The OEM pads on the rear have gone over 500 miles, and still have 30% left. I had already ordered some Kool Stop red pads to try, and will keep a close eye on them, but I'm thinking I'll just stay with Shimano pads after this. I can't afford 10 cents/mile for braking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TEThot
a Cross Country Rider
from Exeter NH Date Reviewed: May 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Fort Rock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$17.00
Strengths:
super high friction good modulation
Weaknesses:
wear
Similar Products Used:
coda semimetallic
Bike Setup:
Jekyll 1000 coda expert disc brakes
Bottom Line:
Buy these pads that make this system great instead of ok. Bleed you lines, air in any system will make it suck for stopping power!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Robinson
a Weekend Warrior
from Miss, On Can Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Defintae incresed stopping power
Weaknesses:
Pulsation and chattering on mid to extreme breaking
Similar Products Used:
v breaks
Bike Setup:
Specilaized Full suspension X-contry with Shimano XT disks
Bottom Line:
Likewise the review posted by Chris below. I have the reds, and the same thing, heavy pulsation under mid to extreme breaking. I too also have the Shimano XT disks, which under original pads are smooth as silk regardless of break load (Granted less power). I suspect that the 4 piston design on the XT’s might be the root of the problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Cooper
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Chutes
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$17.00
Purchased At:
Beyondbikes
Strengths:
Great stopping power, don't fade.
Weaknesses:
Wear quicker than others? slight pulsation, maybe harder on rotors.
While I have only had these on my bike for 3 months, they don't seem to be wearing as fast as everyone else says. I am a pretty light rider, (160#) so maybe that is part of it. I am using the red pads in the front and green pads in the rear. Bottom line if you need the best stopping power, these are the pads! They sound like the pads are metal on metal with the rotor, but braking is instant however modulation is still good. For $17 I would recommend these to anyone looking for awesome braking power with no fade!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chets
a Weekend Warrior
from Madrid,Spain Date Reviewed: August 22, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Mammoth
Strengths:
Good brake power.Easy nose wheelies.
Weaknesses:
Wear extremly fast!
Similar Products Used:
hayes original pads
Bike Setup:
iron horse g-spot, Z1-fr, xt-lx, 2.35 high.rollers.....free ride stuff
Bottom Line:
with original pads i had 10-15 % less power, but they lasted near 7 months; in only 60 miles of downhill, ebc pads have just been smoked. yes, they are powerfull, but their life is just too short for me. it´s a good product for racers with big amounts of money or for light weight people(they use less braking power). excuse me for my poor english.happy trails
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bart
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: August 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
oxford aflls
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
POWER.... these babies have awesome power and excellent feel. Im a big rider... 110kg and found the original Shimano XT pads faded badly on steep down hill runs
Weaknesses:
They wear fast but as a trade off for the consistant power i wouldn't call the wear rate a weakness.
Similar Products Used:
original shimano pads, hayes with origional pads
Bike Setup:
Giant ATX Team frame set. XT throughout, Psylo XC forks.
Bottom Line:
Don't be put off by the fast wear rate. If you a big rider or even if you are hard on yr brakes these pads are right up yr ally. With the original pads i'd finish a downhill section with the brakes squealing like mad, the power would fade quickly and the disk turned blue! the EBC reds give me consistant power with little to no fade.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cailan Libby
a Downhiller
from GOLDEN,B.C.CANADA Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
b12
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
selkirt sports
Strengths:
Aesome braking power. they go 60-0 in one big endo
Weaknesses:
Wear down fast ans squeel a little
Similar Products Used:
Stock pads
Bike Setup:
dh rig
Bottom Line:
These are awesome pads, they work awesome, they are race specific pads so they do wear down faster but they work awesome
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from Orange County, CA Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$13.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
power
Weaknesses:
pulsate
Similar Products Used:
EBC green, stock Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Uzzi
Bottom Line:
These have amazing power (friction) for true one finger braking and stoppies, but the higher friction coefficient results in pulsation under extreme braking/stoppies. This pulsation did not exist when two finger braking with the lesser Shimano XT pads.
These are fine if you only do high speed or feathering braking but if you do tight switchbacks or show off with stoppies, the pulsation makes for less than ideal control.
They also wear FAST...I went through about 1/3 the pad in 2 weeks of everyday XC and freeride (no shuttles)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon Fish
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilbert, AZ USA Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Navajo Lake, SO Utah
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Landis
Strengths:
Killer stopping power. Good brake control around corners, better than other pads.
Weaknesses:
None, they wear down a little fast, but if you aren't doing a lot of downhill, buy a harder pad and switch it out for the cross country rides.
Similar Products Used:
Stock pads with my Cannondale bike
Bike Setup:
'01 Cannondale Jekyl 1000 (Lefty)
Bottom Line:
These are the best pads that I have ever used or ridden even on other bikes, ie. friends, family, etc. If you have trouble on steep rides with stopping, these are the pads for you. Excellent for bigger riders over 200 lbs. that need more brake power.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Racer
from College Station Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Bike Shop
Strengths:
You want power!!! They give power!
Weaknesses:
Wear down quickly, but thats not that bad. Small price for super brakes, seriously these brake need there own cape.
Similar Products Used:
Stock pads.
Bottom Line:
Turn your average discs into super discs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Dublin,CA Date Reviewed: December 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mammoth
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$18.00
Strengths:
Easy to install, good reputation, quiet, broke in fast
Weaknesses:
need to get hot to work well and wore fast. Hopefully the EBC green and gold pads last longer and stop when cold.
Similar Products Used:
Avid pads, kool-stop pads
Bike Setup:
Avid mechanicals
Bottom Line:
The EBC red pads seem to work much better when warmed up. Maybe the EBC green pads are a better choice for me. I prefer the Kool-Stop pads for my kind of riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Winglo
a Weekend Warrior
from California Date Reviewed: December 14, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
Stopping power
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT OEM
Bike Setup:
Litspeed Unicoi, XT
Bottom Line:
Great pads, No burn in time, well worth the safety and money. It will stop on the dime and change too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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