15/07/2015
When it comes to cycling, few components are as critical as your brakes. They are your primary safeguard, dictating not only your speed but, more importantly, your safety. For ambitious cyclists who demand the very best, the question of brake system compatibility and performance is paramount. Gorilla Brakes, a brand born from the passion of bikers Alexander Gocht and Michael Grundwürmer in Regensburg, 2017, has swiftly risen to prominence by focusing on one core mission: delivering high-performance brake pads that combine exhilarating stopping power with optimal safety and quiet operation.
Their vision was clear: to engineer brake pads that not only meet but exceed the highest industry standards, ensuring top-tier braking performance across all weather conditions while maintaining a pleasantly quiet ride. This dedication to excellence has made Gorilla Brakes a go-to choice for mountain bikers, touring cyclists, and racing cyclists alike. But the critical question for many riders, especially when considering an upgrade, often revolves around compatibility. Which brake systems can truly harness the beastly grip that Gorilla Brakes promise?
Extensive Compatibility: A Gorilla Brake for Every Ride
One of the cornerstone principles behind Gorilla Brakes' design philosophy is broad compatibility. Recognising the diverse landscape of bicycle brake systems, the company has meticulously developed its high-performance brake pads to integrate seamlessly with many of the industry’s most prevalent and trusted brands. This ensures that a wide array of cyclists, regardless of their current setup, can experience the enhanced stopping power and reliability that Gorilla offers.
For riders utilising modern disc brake setups, Gorilla Brakes provides pads that are explicitly designed for common disc brake systems from a comprehensive list of manufacturers. This includes:
- Shimano: Widely regarded as a cornerstone in cycling components, Shimano brakes are found on countless bikes. Gorilla Brakes offers a robust range of pads that are perfectly compatible, making them a popular choice for riders looking to upgrade their Shimano setups.
- SRAM: Another titan in the cycling world, SRAM’s braking systems are known for their precision and performance. Gorilla Brakes ensures full compatibility, allowing SRAM users to benefit from their advanced pad compounds.
- Avid: A brand synonymous with reliable braking, Avid systems also find a perfect match with Gorilla’s high-performance pads.
- Magura: Renowned for their hydraulic disc and rim brakes, Magura users can confidently turn to Gorilla Brakes for compatible and high-performing pads.
- Hayes: With a long history in mountain biking, Hayes brake systems are well-supported by Gorilla’s pad offerings.
- Formula: Offering high-end braking solutions, Formula systems also benefit from the superior grip and durability of Gorilla brake pads.
Beyond the realm of disc brakes, Gorilla Brakes also extends its compatibility to more traditional, yet still widely used, braking systems. This commitment ensures that even those with older or different setups can still enjoy an upgrade in performance and safety. Their pads are compatible with:
- Cantilever Brake Systems: Often found on cyclocross bikes and some older touring bikes, cantilever brakes can also be enhanced with Gorilla pads.
- V-Brake Systems: A common sight on mountain bikes and hybrid bikes, V-brakes benefit significantly from the improved compounds and stopping power.
- Magura HS Brake Systems: Specifically, Magura’s hydraulic rim brakes (like the HS33) are also catered for, offering a powerful upgrade for these robust systems.
This extensive compatibility means that whether you're tackling technical trails on a mountain bike, cruising through city streets on a commuter, or clocking miles on a road or gravel bike, there's a Gorilla Brake pad designed to fit your system and elevate your riding experience. Their dedication to covering a broad spectrum of braking technologies underscores their commitment to making high-performance braking accessible to all cyclists.
Unleashing the Beast: Performance Beyond Expectation
The true measure of a brake pad lies not just in its compatibility but, crucially, in its performance. Gorilla Brakes are engineered to deliver a beastly grip that translates into exceptional stopping power, giving riders the confidence to push their limits while maintaining full control. This superior performance is a direct result of their elaborate development and rigorous testing processes.
One rider's experience perfectly encapsulates this: they upgraded their 2-pot brakes with Gorilla's multi-compound pads, designed for resin-only rotors, and immediately noticed a significant improvement. The pads offered "more power, better bite and ran very quiet" compared to standard options. This quiet operation, even under heavy braking, is a testament to Gorilla's meticulous design, ensuring that your focus remains on the ride, not on distracting squeals or grinding noises. The ability to perform consistently and quietly in all weather conditions is a hallmark of their high-performance pads, providing reliable stopping power whether it's dry and dusty or wet and muddy.
The choice between different pad compounds, such as multi-compound and sintered, allows riders to fine-tune their braking experience to their specific needs and riding style. While multi-compound pads are praised for their balanced performance, offering a good blend of power, bite, and quiet operation, sintered pads are often chosen for their durability and consistent performance in extreme conditions, making them ideal for aggressive riding or prolonged descents. The fact that Gorilla Brakes offers these choices, and that users are considering them as a direct upgrade to even reputable brands like Shimano's own resin pads, speaks volumes about their quality and effectiveness.
Why Choose Gorilla Brakes? More Than Just Pads
Choosing Gorilla Brakes extends beyond simply acquiring high-performance brake pads; it's an investment in a company that embodies passion, quality, and responsibility. Based in Lancaster, Lancashire, Gorilla Brakes is deeply rooted in the cycling community, driven by a vision of fostering a safer environment on roads and trails across the UK and beyond.
Unwavering Commitment to Quality and Safety
Every single brake pad produced by Gorilla Brakes undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the highest standards of quality and safety. This meticulous approach guarantees a smooth, safe ride, instilling confidence in cyclists regardless of the terrain or weather. Their status as the official Disc Brake Pad supplier for HEL MTB Disc Brakes further solidifies their reputation for reliability and performance in demanding applications.
Passion for Cycling and Community Engagement
The founders, Alexander and Michael, are bikers themselves, developing and optimising products for fellow riders. This intrinsic understanding of a cyclist's needs translates into products that genuinely enhance the riding experience. Their passion isn't confined to product development; Gorilla Brakes actively invests in the local cycling community, sponsoring young riders and fostering community events. This commitment to nurturing the sport and its future talents showcases a brand that cares deeply about more than just sales.
Sustainability at the Core
In an era where environmental responsibility is paramount, Gorilla Brakes stands out with its strong commitment to sustainability. High performance with a sustainable use of resources is a core value, applied throughout their entire production process. Their Factory Eco Pro Compound range exemplifies this, utilising materials designed to minimise waste and extend pad life, allowing riders to get more miles with less environmental impact. Furthermore, their E-bike brake pads contribute to reducing harmful emissions by encouraging cycling over driving. Perhaps most innovatively, the Gorilla Brakes Brake Pad Recycling Programme helps keep used pads out of landfills, embodying their dedication to giving back to both the planet and the community. This holistic approach to sustainability makes choosing Gorilla Brakes a responsible and forward-thinking decision.
Exceptional Value and Customer Satisfaction
Despite offering premium, high-performance disc brake pads compatible with top brands like Shimano, SRAM, Hope, and Magura, Gorilla Brakes maintains competitive pricing. Their widespread positive reviews across various platforms highlight the immense satisfaction customers derive from their products and the exceptional value they provide. This customer love, coupled with a satisfaction guarantee, underscores their confidence in their products and their dedication to ensuring every rider is happy with their purchase.
Understanding Brake Pad Types: Multi-Compound vs. Sintered
Gorilla Brakes offers different pad compounds to cater to varied riding styles and conditions. Understanding the characteristics of each can help you make the best choice for your bike.
| Feature | Gorilla Multi-Compound Pads | Generic Resin Pads (for comparison) | Gorilla Sintered Pads (General Characteristics) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braking Power | Excellent, more power than standard resin | Good, but can fade under heat | Very High, consistent in all conditions |
| Initial Bite | Very good, strong and immediate | Moderate | Aggressive, strong initial grab |
| Noise Level | Very quiet operation | Can be quiet, but prone to squeal | Can be noisier, especially in wet conditions |
| Durability/Lifespan | Good, enhanced longevity | Moderate, wears faster | Excellent, very long-lasting |
| Heat Resistance | Good | Lower | Very High |
| Performance in Wet/Mud | Consistent and reliable | Can degrade significantly | Excellent, less affected by water |
| Rotor Compatibility | Often resin-only rotor compatible, but check specific product | Typically resin-only compatible | Generally compatible with all rotor types (steel) |
| Feel | Progressive, good modulation | Softer, less feedback | Firm, direct |
| Ideal Use | General trail riding, XC, light enduro, upgrades for better all-round performance | Casual riding, dry conditions | Aggressive trail, enduro, downhill, wet/muddy conditions, long descents |
As the table illustrates, the multi-compound pads offer a significant upgrade over standard resin pads, providing a balanced blend of power, quietness, and durability. Sintered pads, while potentially noisier, excel in extreme conditions due to their superior heat resistance and longevity, making them a top choice for demanding riders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Brakes
To further assist you in making an informed decision, here are some common questions about Gorilla Brakes:
Are Gorilla brake pads good?
Absolutely. Based on user experiences and the company's commitment to high standards, Gorilla brake pads are highly regarded. Users consistently report more power, better bite, and quiet operation, especially when upgrading from standard pads. They are developed and tested to provide beastly good braking performance in all conditions.
Are Gorilla brakes Shimano compatible?
Yes, Gorilla Brakes offers a wide range of brake pads that are fully compatible with Shimano disc brake systems. They are one of the most sought-after options for cyclists looking to upgrade their Shimano brakes, ensuring a perfect fit and enhanced performance.
Why should you choose Gorilla brake pads?
You should choose Gorilla brake pads for several compelling reasons: superior high performance with beastly grip and quiet operation; extensive compatibility with major brake brands (Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Avid, Hayes, Formula, cantilever, V-brake, Magura HS); a strong commitment to sustainability through eco-friendly compounds and a recycling programme; active investment in the cycling community; and a guarantee of quality backed by rigorous testing and excellent customer reviews. They offer premium performance at competitive prices, designed by bikers for bikers.
What types of bikes are Gorilla pads suitable for?
Gorilla Brakes produces high-performance brake pads for a wide range of cycling disciplines. This includes mountain bike brake pads, road bike brake pads, and gravel bike brake pads. Whatever your bike type or terrain, Gorilla Brakes likely has a perfect set of disc brake pads designed to meet your specific needs and provide long-lasting results in all conditions.
What makes Gorilla pads 'high performance'?
Gorilla pads are considered high-performance due to their advanced compound formulations, which are developed according to the most modern standards. This results in superior stopping power, excellent bite, and consistent performance across all weather conditions. They are also meticulously tested for optimal safety and are designed to remain pleasantly quiet, contributing to an overall enhanced and safer riding experience.
Ultimately, choosing Gorilla Brakes means opting for a product born from a genuine passion for cycling, engineered for peak performance, and committed to sustainability. Their broad compatibility ensures that a vast majority of cyclists can experience the difference, making every ride safer and more enjoyable.
If you want to read more articles similar to Gorilla Brakes: Compatibility & Performance Unleashed, you can visit the Brakes category.