I have Shimano XT BR-M8120 brakes that uses N04C metal/fin pads. I can't find anywhere that has N04C's in stock. Did they get discontinued/replaced with something else? Can I use J04C's as replacements even though they have different fin-shape?
Did Shimano N04C pads get discontinued?
ravenhot
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I have Shimano XT BR-M8120 brakes that uses N04C metal/fin pads. I can't find anywhere that has N04C's in stock. Did they get discontinued/replaced with something else? Can I use J04C's as replacements even though they have different fin-shape?
No you can't use them, they are smaller pads for the 2 piston brakes.
You can also use the finless ones, D02S Metal (w/o fin)
Pad_Option D03S Resin (w/o fin) | D02S Metal (w/o fin)
Pad_Standard N03A Resin (w/ fin) | N04C Metal (w/ fin)
https://www.ebay.com/p/1400004909?iid=164116757839&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&chn=ps
Pad_Option D03S Resin (w/o fin) | D02S Metal (w/o fin)
Pad_Standard N03A Resin (w/ fin) | N04C Metal (w/ fin)
https://www.ebay.com/p/1400004909?iid=164116757839&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&chn=ps
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So 2 years into having these XT8120s, and still no N04Cs available anywhere. I get that COVID has messed up a ton of supply chains, but surprised that it's taken this long. Has anyone heard if Shimano decided to completely kill them? Seems weird that they aren't producing any new OEM pads for what was a brand new model of brake in 2019/2020.
Shimano D02S the non finned metallic would be the cheap and easy solution to keep the bike on the trail. Cooling fins look cool but can't see it being a deal breaker.
It might be an item you can find at a local shop though, I've noticed RS Super Deluxe air spring seal kits are also hard to come by online and over priced to boot... $45 for a few air can seals is insane...
It might be an item you can find at a local shop though, I've noticed RS Super Deluxe air spring seal kits are also hard to come by online and over priced to boot... $45 for a few air can seals is insane...
I've used this company's pads for the past dozen years or so.
Truckerco
Cheap yet top performers in my book. Yes, I've tried expensive pads like MTX (which are also excellent pads. I've got nothing against MTX except their high prices.)
The Truckerco pads are just as good IME at 1/4th to 1/6th the price (depending on if you buy their multi-sets.)
No, these don't have fins, which in my opinion are useless. (All my bikes employ large rotors that cool better in addition to providing more stopping power compared to small rotors.)
I don't work for Truckerco, I just talk like I do. Give them a try before you write them off. If you're looking for a suggestion on which compound to use, I recommend the OSM (Organic Semi-Metallic.)
The last order I placed (last week) was for a 4-pack of Shimano 4-pot pads, price came to $6.75 per pair. Shipping was free.
You're welcome.
=sParty
Truckerco
Cheap yet top performers in my book. Yes, I've tried expensive pads like MTX (which are also excellent pads. I've got nothing against MTX except their high prices.)
The Truckerco pads are just as good IME at 1/4th to 1/6th the price (depending on if you buy their multi-sets.)
No, these don't have fins, which in my opinion are useless. (All my bikes employ large rotors that cool better in addition to providing more stopping power compared to small rotors.)
I don't work for Truckerco, I just talk like I do. Give them a try before you write them off. If you're looking for a suggestion on which compound to use, I recommend the OSM (Organic Semi-Metallic.)
The last order I placed (last week) was for a 4-pack of Shimano 4-pot pads, price came to $6.75 per pair. Shipping was free.
You're welcome.
=sParty
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I'm sure they're still available and being made as quickly as they can be, but it is pretty obvious that Shimano has been highly-impacted by the pandemic and bike boom. Even OEMs can't reliably get enough Shimano parts to the point that there are few Shimano-spec'ed new bikes.
That said, I really wouldn't brand-fixate for this component... as I don't think the N04C's are all that. I cleared out my personal cache of the N04Cs (4 pairs; because I had initially thought they would be all that) in June 2021. Just didn't work for me despite multiple rotor sandings (203mm RT-MT800s) and attempts at bedding-in.
Ended up using MTX Gold Label HDs and couldn't be happier.
And paid. I seriously hope they enjoyed those pads.
That said, I really wouldn't brand-fixate for this component... as I don't think the N04C's are all that. I cleared out my personal cache of the N04Cs (4 pairs; because I had initially thought they would be all that) in June 2021. Just didn't work for me despite multiple rotor sandings (203mm RT-MT800s) and attempts at bedding-in.
Ended up using MTX Gold Label HDs and couldn't be happier.
Somebody bid up two pairs of my N04Cs to >$250.
And paid. I seriously hope they enjoyed those pads.Has anyone tried the older H03C pads with these calipers? I know Shimano doesn't list them as compatible, but I'm in the middle of installing an M8120 right now, and out of curiosity slid an old set of H03C in, and as far as I can tell they fit perfectly. I was concerned that the fins would bump into something but as far as I can tell that's not a problem, other than not looking as streamlined as the new style. I only tried it very briefly and the brakes aren't fully set up yet (haven't even attached the hose yet), so maybe there are some gotchas waiting in the wings? I mean, if the D02S are compatible, then the only difference between the unfinned and finned versions is the heatsink, and if that's not interfering with anything, then I can't think of anything else that could cause a problem?
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176 Posts
I got my first full-squish bike back in March 2021, came with Deore XT BR-M8120 4-piston brakes, finally decided it was time to replace pads. Went to bike shop, they handed me a set of G04S pads. I got home and realized the old ones were finned. I put them on and did a ride. Back to that in a minute...
So, back to the store for the right pads. Nope, finned not available, but found out they are N04C. Went to another store. Nope. Another. Nope nope. Asked them to order them, they said their wholesaler listed them as discontinued. And had been since 2020. Checked online, which is how I found this thread. Also went to Shimano website. They said D02S will work with my caliper model. Perfect! Let's order some online at the usual bike stores. Nope. Nope nope. Nowhere is it available. So my name-brand bike manufacturer sent me old brakes groupset that worked great but were discontinued so I can't get pads. Grrr. I'm looking into alternatives now based on suggestions above.
Back to the G04S, which I now know is meant for 2-piston brakes, not 4. But they kinda work? I'd also been having some issues with brake rubbing and had thought it was all my rotor getting bent a lot (I ride rock gardens all the time), but even when I trued them it was still kinda rubbing. Paying more attention, I think I have one or more sticky pistons, so I'm going to clean using the "flossing" method, and see what happens. If I ruin my brakes, that's ok because I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ANWAY. I just hope I have enough stopping power.
Back to researching alternative maker pads and replacement calipers...
So, back to the store for the right pads. Nope, finned not available, but found out they are N04C. Went to another store. Nope. Another. Nope nope. Asked them to order them, they said their wholesaler listed them as discontinued. And had been since 2020.
Checked online, which is how I found this thread. Also went to Shimano website. They said D02S will work with my caliper model. Perfect! Let's order some online at the usual bike stores. Nope. Nope nope. Nowhere is it available. So my name-brand bike manufacturer sent me old brakes groupset that worked great but were discontinued so I can't get pads. Grrr. I'm looking into alternatives now based on suggestions above.Back to the G04S, which I now know is meant for 2-piston brakes, not 4. But they kinda work? I'd also been having some issues with brake rubbing and had thought it was all my rotor getting bent a lot (I ride rock gardens all the time), but even when I trued them it was still kinda rubbing. Paying more attention, I think I have one or more sticky pistons, so I'm going to clean using the "flossing" method, and see what happens. If I ruin my brakes, that's ok because I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ANWAY. I just hope I have enough stopping power.
Back to researching alternative maker pads and replacement calipers...
Don't be ridiculous. There are many aftermarket pads available for your excellent XT 4-piston brakes.
Personally I use Truckerco pads (have for over a decade) because they work every bit as well as Shimano's stock pad offerings and cost about quarter as much (when you buy the 4-pair pkg.)
=sParty
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Don't run 2 piston pads in your 4 piston caliper. If the pistons come out crooked, they're prone to chip or crack when pushing them back in, which will definitely give you a useless brake caliper.
Discobrakes
EBC
Galfer
Jagwire
KoolStop
Lifeline
MTX
Nukeproof
Shimano
Trickstuff
TRP
Truckerco
UberBike
Don't run 2 piston pads in your 4 piston caliper. If the pistons come out crooked, they're prone to chip or crack when pushing them back in, which will definitely give you a useless brake caliper.
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