Anyone tried brake pads other than OEM &/or EBC? Successfully, or not?

[Mrmikey]

Let's get one thing out of the way first, I'm a cheap sob where I can be! LOL. Somebody's going to chime in, "If you want to kill yourself with inferior brakes, go ahead" I'm sure, but that's a bit melodramatic.
I'm planning on changing the brake fluid and pads all round when I lay the rig up for the winter. I don't need new pads yet, but I'm thinking rather than wait 'till next year, I'll do them when I have the wheels off changing the fluid and jacked up changing the oil.
I'll concede that EBC are, from everywhere I've read both here and on other forums, supposed to be the best as far as brakes go. But when I look at the size of the pads and the cost of CAN $75 for two pucks that wouldn't cover one quarter a sheet of paper, to me, that seems ridiculous. That's CAN $225 for brake pads, I didn't pay that much for one axle on my Ram truck. Did I buy cheap pads? No, but neither did I buy the overinflated priced pads.
I'm sure someone has tried other pads, and I'd like to know if they've had success or not, and what brand. If the consensus is that there's no other types, I'll have to bite the bullet.
Keep it civil, please .

 

[Mikey]

As to finding a pad that has more material, I don't know if you're going to find one. Besides, even if you do, I don't know if you can jam any more pad in there - once you push the pistons back and put your new pads in, you don't really have that much free play to work with, if you know what I mean?! Good luck on your search for a cheaper setup than EBC, they wear great and hold up!!!

 

[JayBros]

When one is dealing with one's carcass, and most importantly one's coconut, going cheap on brake pads is penny wise and pound foolish plus one other word. I'll leave you to figure out what that word is.

 

[Mrmikey]

As to finding a pad that has more material

Wasn't looking for more material, just something comparable at a less than ridiculous price.

I'll leave you to figure out what that word is.

LOL, begin with an an 'A...' by any chance

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

You might get some ideas from this thread:

C

Thread 'Alternate Brembo caliper pad part numbers'

Apr 30, 2020

As the title says, alternate part numbers for front brake pad replacements for the Brembo calipers.

SBS 900. Available from semi-met to full on carbon race pads.

GoldFREN 328.

DBX 630. Semi-met/Ceramic.

Niche 519-KPA2446D. Available in organic, semi-met and ceramic.

EBC FA630. Organic, sintered, fully sintered.

AHL 630. Chinese made, semi-met. At 12.00 a side, only you can decide if that's what you want. They are advertised as made in an ISO9001 spec plant.

Galfer FD475 G1370 HH sintered

LeFossi FA630

FERODO FDB2265

• carbonation
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Spyder General Discussion

But, the reality is the monetary exchange rate for you, especially when you throw in shipping, taxes, fees, etc. For example, a full set of EBC pads from Ron is $187.00 CAD. But after shipping and all, you're still right in that ballpark you've already discovered. Depends on how many miles a year you ride and how many years the EBC pads will last you. Maybe you'll like the numbers better if you just look at your average annual cost basis, or maybe not. Good luck.

 

[Mrmikey]

Thanks Doug.
Yeah, it's the peripherals that kill me.
I just looked up a set of speed bleeders, figured I'd splurge and get away from the ole vacuum pump, only nowhere in Canada are they listed. By the time I order 3 bleeders at US $7 a pop and shipping at another US $20, I'm up to US $41 which converts to CAN $58... I'll stick with the vacuum pump thanks.

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Thanks Doug.
Yeah, it's the peripherals that kill me.
I just looked up a set of speed bleeders, figured I'd splurge and get away from the ole vacuum pump, only nowhere in Canada are they listed. By the time I order 3 bleeders at US $7 a pop and shipping at another US $20, I'm up to US $41 which converts to CAN $58... I'll stick with the vacuum pump thanks.

Right. Plus, you really need 4 bleeders, one for the VCM unit also. It's an ABS unit with a brain. You want to get any old fluid that's hiding out in there, also. It's a little easier to get to on an F3, I believe. And Speed Bleeders sure do make it easy. However, we all have budgets to keep to. Have fun putting your bike to bed for the winter. Good Luck.

 

[RayBJ]

A friend I ride with chose to install cheap pads on his bike. We told him at the time they looked like Graham Crackers. He got ~1000 miles on them before they were spent. You get what you pay for.
Most of my crew have been running EBC for years and get good mileage and great stopping power.

 

[JayBros]

Wasn't looking for more material, just something comparable at a less than ridiculous price.

LOL, begin with an an 'A...' by any chance

Nope.

 

[Dansy]

Thanks Doug.
Yeah, it's the peripherals that kill me.
I just looked up a set of speed bleeders, figured I'd splurge and get away from the ole vacuum pump, only nowhere in Canada are they listed. By the time I order 3 bleeders at US $7 a pop and shipping at another US $20, I'm up to US $41 which converts to CAN $58... I'll stick with the vacuum pump thanks.

Fortnine and Gp bike have them last time I looked.

 

[Mrmikey]

Fort Nine doesn't list 6mm, only Imperial and 7, 8, and 10mm. As for GP, nothing.