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Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: abedfo on December 11, 2023, 11:36:19 AM

Title: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: abedfo on December 11, 2023, 11:36:19 AM
As per title, does anyone have experience with cheap Ali express disc pads and some recommendations. I'm not expecting Swiss stop but something like it would be cool  8)
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: coffeebreak on December 11, 2023, 11:58:24 AM
I have had good luck with Cooma brand pads for various Shimano calipers. I always go for resin pads + Shimano rotors and that combo has been great.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Confused on December 11, 2023, 01:58:23 PM
Kingstop - sintered or ceramic pads. Used them on Magura, Shimano, and SRAM calipers with no issues. Such stop. Much wow.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: abedfo on December 11, 2023, 02:40:05 PM
Kingstop - sintered or ceramic pads. Used them on Magura, Shimano, and SRAM calipers with no issues. Such stop. Much wow.

Now you're talking my language.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Flying Trunk Monkey on December 11, 2023, 07:10:54 PM
Questions for those that have replied here...

I've had such good luck with Shimano sintered pads that it's practically all I consider. They last so long that I don't have much issue with paying the low end of the price range that they typically sell for.

That said, I like a good deal as much as the next guy and I'm wondering how much life you're getting out of the various AliX pads.

I know some folks tolerate very cheap pads because they look at them as a disposable item. But... they end up changing them on such a regular basis I wonder how much they're actually saving. I've heard of guys finishing gravel races in crappy conditions with little or no brakes left. I've never been able to determine what kind of pads they were using but I can't imagine seeing a front and rear set of sintered pads go from working to zero in a 200 or less miles.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: jfcb on December 12, 2023, 02:31:26 AM

That said, I like a good deal as much as the next guy and I'm wondering how much life you're getting out of the various AliX pads.


From my own experience, the longevity is mainly determined by the type of compound (sintered, ceramic, resin..) rather than the brand.
I can't really determine any difference in wear between the sram/shimano brake pads and the aliex ones.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: carbonazza on December 12, 2023, 06:13:00 AM
I tried the yellow Swiss stop on my road bike last year. The best right ? 8)

And not that impressed by their cost/braking power, I came back to my beloved pink Elite Cooma:
https://alphabicycling.aliexpress.com/store/group/Elite-Brake-Pads/1513091_10000001152730.html
I put them on all kind of bikes: road, gravel, MTB and e-bike.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Pedaldancer on December 12, 2023, 01:30:42 PM
I tried the yellow Swiss stop on my road bike last year. The best right ? 8)

And not that impressed by their cost/braking power, I came back to my beloved pink Elite Cooma:
https://alphabicycling.aliexpress.com/store/group/Elite-Brake-Pads/1513091_10000001152730.html
I put them on all kind of bikes: road, gravel, MTB and e-bike.

+1 for the pink Cooma. I also use the golden ones. The pink are a bit more friendly regarding sound.
To me the pink ones are better than Shimano Resin. Originally I tried them because the Shimano pads were largely not available during the Corona time. Now I am not going back because they are really good.
The color is a slight problem, but luckily the dust covers them quite good.  ;D


Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: darius72 on March 02, 2024, 08:29:53 AM
It's good to read different opinions.
I tried on my XC bike the cooma silver (ex-plus compound) and to me they are pure junk; very low friction, basically not braking even after bedding in.
I was induced by their technical explanation with friction factors etc etc; by the way the ex plus should be the best in the range, I imagine the other compounds.
Then I ordered the ZTTO metallic and they are really good; great bite and stropping power, maybe a little squeaky with wet rotor; I was pretty confident as
normally everything from ZTTO is between quite good and very good.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: jonathanf2 on March 02, 2024, 11:46:51 AM
I do so much up and downhill riding, my pads are done faster than average. For my use I prefer finned pads on all my bikes.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: JohnnyRabbit on March 04, 2024, 09:47:10 PM
I've been using Kingstop pads for about 2 years. They work as good as Shimano original without the ridiculous price. I think Cooma and Kingstop are probably made at the same factory.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: nicklej on March 06, 2024, 02:53:38 AM
I tried the yellow Swiss stop on my road bike last year. The best right ? 8)

And not that impressed by their cost/braking power, I came back to my beloved pink Elite Cooma:
https://alphabicycling.aliexpress.com/store/group/Elite-Brake-Pads/1513091_10000001152730.html
I put them on all kind of bikes: road, gravel, MTB and e-bike.

I've never gotten pads from AliX but I'm wanting to try some so thanks for the recommendation. I've just bought a few sets for trialling :)
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: abedfo on March 22, 2024, 01:26:39 PM
Ive just ordered some pink coomas for my SLX brakes on the CX/gravel bike. Ill give them some hammer and report back. They will be compared against the stock shimano ones!

I have also ordered some Finned "bucklos" ceramic pads for my road bike as my tiagra calipers have been less than disappointing.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: abedfo on March 29, 2024, 02:45:06 PM
Ive just ordered some pink coomas for my SLX brakes on the CX/gravel bike. Ill give them some hammer and report back. They will be compared against the stock shimano ones!

I have also ordered some Finned "bucklos" ceramic pads for my road bike as my tiagra calipers have been less than disappointing.

I highly recommend both. The pink coombas are incredible.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: andrerav on March 31, 2024, 03:45:03 AM
I've used gold, pink and silver Coomas. My definitive favorite is the gold version. They are simply put very, very good and compete with the best metallic pads out there.
The pink version is good as long as they do not overheat. But if they do overheat, they will abruptly glaze over and permanently loose power.
The silver version is flat out garbage and is not worth buying.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Pedaldancer on April 01, 2024, 10:31:53 AM
I've used gold, pink and silver Coomas. My definitive favorite is the gold version. They are simply put very, very good and compete with the best metallic pads out there.
The pink version is good as long as they do not overheat. But if they do overheat, they will abruptly glaze over and permanently loose power.
The silver version is flat out garbage and is not worth buying.

I agree with the gold Cooma. But they tend to squeal a bit more easy.. just normal behavior for metallic pads. For Shimano pads it's exactly the same.  ;D
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Jet the Panda on April 03, 2024, 06:24:06 PM
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002976571798.html

Which product option are the kingstop sintered pads?

Does anyone have a link for Cooma pink pads? I can only find the gold https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32252868639.html
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: coffeebreak on April 03, 2024, 07:03:08 PM
Pink Coomas https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803239934707.html

I think gold are better though.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: kbernstein on April 04, 2024, 06:21:13 AM
What a guy. I'm so grateful for him. Comparing brake pads is a jungle I could never figure out or navigate and he just publishes tests when I need them the most

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gocMkGckr5A
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Jet the Panda on April 04, 2024, 09:52:40 AM
I just saw that video earlier too, I skipped straight to the end though  ;D

Does anyone know of any good brake pads with the heat sink fins?
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: buckfifty on April 04, 2024, 10:27:04 AM
Do you have a link to the video? Thanks

I just saw that video earlier too, I skipped straight to the end though  ;D

Does anyone know of any good brake pads with the heat sink fins?
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: St0mpB0x on April 04, 2024, 05:20:22 PM
I assume it is the latest video from Trace Velo on YouTube.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Daviddavieboy on April 10, 2024, 02:21:56 AM
Do you have a link to the video? Thanks

 ht tps://www.you tube.com/watch?v=gocMkGckr5A

Remove spaces. Conclusion is at 12 min
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: qwert9811 on February 15, 2025, 02:07:49 AM
hey guys, im new to this forum.
i was searching for alternative disc pad and saw cooma in this thread.
seems like pink and gold is good to go.

has anyone tried both? im road guy and i want to try pad with bit more braking than shimano original resin pad. metallic seems great but im worried about too much braking (no modulation) and noise. and i heard that metal has less braking when cold.
so if anyone tried both, could you recommend or share experience?

and there seems to be red one saying semi metallic. anyone tried it?
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Pedaldancer on February 15, 2025, 07:55:14 AM
This topic is not even 2 pages long.. reading these would already have answered your pink gold question..

Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: qwert9811 on February 15, 2025, 08:25:37 AM
well i read it through

both seems good but no direct comparison between those two (one actually)
so i was wondering any comparsion between those two or new thoughts about it.

sry if my question bothered you
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: kazuviking on March 10, 2025, 03:50:06 PM
I use the cooma elite ceramic pads and they are really good compard to other "ceramic" ali pads. They are completely silent but it slowly eats my IIIPro floating rotor.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: ByAliTR on March 18, 2025, 05:48:14 PM
Can you recommend disc pads for sram force etap axs? Is there anyone who buys from aliexpress and uses sram axs compatible?
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: miker.the.biker on March 26, 2025, 10:24:36 AM
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803787811424.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.75b638daQPROu7&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21USD%21USD%204.70%21USD%204.38%21%21%21%21%21%402101c72a17430024807952393e554b%2112000037045133950%21ct%21US%216115268129%21%211%210&_gl=1*zf86b5*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NDI5MTUzMzcuQ2owS0NRandxSW1fQmhEbkFSSXNBS0JZY210QkNvVF9FUTFRMm5WVDVQR3lkUmd6dERSa3dRaG9UUnlGMVQ1cHR2dHhkQ0RmLTFEcnJ2WWFBbHlZRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3NDI5MTUzMzcuQ2owS0NRandxSW1fQmhEbkFSSXNBS0JZY210QkNvVF9FUTFRMm5WVDVQR3lkUmd6dERSa3dRaG9UUnlGMVQ1cHR2dHhkQ0RmLTFEcnJ2WWFBbHlZRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*NjIxNDcwMzg5LjE3Mzk5ODE0ODM.*_ga*MzU3MjQ0MTE2MTY0MDM3LjE3MjQxNzEzMTQyMDE.*_ga_VED1YSGNC7*MTc0MzAwMjExOS4xMzEuMS4xNzQzMDAyNDgxLjkuMC4w&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Anyone have any experience with the cooling fin Cooma pads?  I'm tried the Bucklos style and they are louder than the genuine Shimano ones, so I'm checking into a different brand.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: abedfo on April 02, 2025, 10:35:49 AM
Dang, ive been looking/waiting for cooma finned pads. will definitely try some out. My pinks are running out of power on my cx bike
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: crazyravr on April 03, 2025, 09:31:40 AM
So looking on the Cooma store page, and their pink pads, which model do I need for my Shimano ultegra and 105 disk brakes (link please). Would love to give these a go.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: miker.the.biker on April 03, 2025, 05:23:17 PM
So looking on the Cooma store page, and their pink pads, which model do I need for my Shimano ultegra and 105 disk brakes (link please). Would love to give these a go.

This should be what you are looking for:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803550174669.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%21US%20%248.26%21US%20%247.62%21%21%218.26%217.62%21%402101c80217437187752994558e23d1%2112000026982673439%21sh%21US%216115268129%21X&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007447399578.1005003736489421&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: carbonazza on April 17, 2025, 06:37:25 AM
So looking on the Cooma store page, and their pink pads, which model do I need for my Shimano ultegra and 105 disk brakes (link please). Would love to give these a go.

I was a long fan of the pink Cooma, I switched to the orange Kingstop on all my bikes
https://kingstop.vi.aliexpress.com/store/233959/pages/all-items.html?productGroupId=257383775

They may wear a little faster, but are way more silent and provide a softer with more modulation grip
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: pushpush on April 17, 2025, 09:55:04 AM
I tried pink cooma and after a couple of decent rides they were glazed and useless. The slightest amount of moisture and they would howl loudly. I donated a big bag of them to the local community bike shop. I don't understand why they are so popular aside from price.

I'm not that particular about modulation or wear. I just want them to stop and be reliably silent in mixed conditions.

I will try some Kingstop next.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: veloc_h on June 07, 2025, 03:07:26 PM
What about the black Cooma Resin Semi-metallic, Sport EX?
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32993067722.html
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Sebastian on June 08, 2025, 11:38:20 AM
. I don't understand why they are so popular aside from price.

+1
I tried the pink and silver Cooma. Both do eventually stop my bike. But all in all I found them extremely underwhelming on both my gravel bike and my road bike. Not even remotely as good as the stock pads that came with my Sram Rival calipers.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Lovewookie on June 12, 2025, 07:27:35 AM
I tried some orange kingstop after reading the reviews here. Started off OK, but they fade pretty quickly and don’t offer much in the way of bite. Back to SRAM semi metallic which are much much better feeling.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: ChinerStevie on June 14, 2025, 04:49:08 PM
For me Cooma Pink fade also pretty quickly on GRX. Any better recommendations?
 Kingstop or is it not better in that regard?
Cooma Gold? Any other brands?
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Amsteur85 on July 28, 2025, 08:04:21 AM
I can only comment on Cooma Gold and compare them to Shimano k03s resin pads. I believe they are brilliant and recommend these highly. When you brake them in properly the stopping power is way better than the k03s pads, sound wise they don’t squeal much only when wet and not warmed up yet. I have the combination with mt800 rotors. Modulation is maybe a bit less than with resin pads or atleast the lever range of modulation is smaller, but when you need stopping power they don’t disappoint at all. On high speed decents they are way more confidence inspiring than the stock Shimano ones.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: JJx on July 28, 2025, 10:42:47 AM
I generally just use the cheapest semi-metallic pads I can get my hands on, never had any issue. I have not noticed performance differences other than the huge improvement in temperature tolerance going from resin to semi-metallic.

Even used MT-200s, with cheapy semi metallic pads, for multiple downhill days when in a pinch. No problems other than a little fade on some of the sustained steeper stuff.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: hazzer19 on July 31, 2025, 11:42:23 PM
Has anyone tried the Cooma EX Plus? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009211269636.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.2.2c16ov2iov2iCl&algo_pvid=6758133c-03aa-4def-b140-f078f4663f85&algo_exp_id=6758133c-03aa-4def-b140-f078f4663f85-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%221%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21CAD%2124.32%218.51%21%21%21123.82%2143.34%21%402101c59517540230152134989ef08f%2112000048325226625%21sea%21CA%21174257599%21X&curPageLogUid=nZdsVclCUZPf&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A#nav-specification


Marketed as improved resin.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: raisinberry777 on July 31, 2025, 11:45:33 PM
Has anyone tried the Cooma EX Plus? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009211269636.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.2.2c16ov2iov2iCl&algo_pvid=6758133c-03aa-4def-b140-f078f4663f85&algo_exp_id=6758133c-03aa-4def-b140-f078f4663f85-1&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%221%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21CAD%2124.32%218.51%21%21%21123.82%2143.34%21%402101c59517540230152134989ef08f%2112000048325226625%21sea%21CA%21174257599%21X&curPageLogUid=nZdsVclCUZPf&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A#nav-specification


Marketed as improved resin.

I've been using them now for about 3-4,000km, just replaced my first set on the front. They're fine - not exceptional, not bad, probably not quite as good as the original Shimano pads but not far off. I'm using them on the cheap $7 ZRace rotors.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: mwaan on August 01, 2025, 01:43:20 AM
Those are the Cooma silver that people are referring to. The general opinion in this thread is they are not good. I also have them, and I'm not happy with their friction/stopping power. I'll keep using them but won't again. My riding has almost no downhill descents.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Sebastian on August 03, 2025, 01:49:39 AM
I’ve just ridden in the Alps for two weeks. Mostly in the rain. I had stock brake pads in the rear and pink Coomas in the front. The difference is quite stark. The Coomas squeal horribly in the wet until they’re heated up. Then eventually on long descents their friction increases and they stop better. But they never have actual progressive bite. For an actual emergency brake manoeuvre I’d have to pull the front brake with full force and it still wouldn’t bite like the rear.

I’ve switched to Galfer pads now and I’ll see how those work. But I’m done with Cooma, I think.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: FredDias2018 on December 08, 2025, 01:56:47 PM
speaking of shimano style ''B01S'' pads, i've had a great experience with tektro E10.11 and P20.11 pads. i find them much better than the equivalent shimano ones. i've ordered Bucklos resin pads for my cross country race bike with shimano XT and copper based metallics for my old bike, we'll see how well they do.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: alfiomotrambo on December 10, 2025, 07:15:32 AM
Anyone have experience with these? https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007370770955.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2RQjUWZ)

I saw them on sale recently, the price and review seems great but can you trust during hard descend?
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: FredDias2018 on January 05, 2026, 07:36:22 PM
Anyone have experience with these? https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007370770955.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2RQjUWZ)

I saw them on sale recently, the price and review seems great but can you trust during hard descend?

bucklos pads generally tend to be decent, the compound on the finned ones looks somewhat similar to their green ceramic pads, just with fins and a slightly darker colour for some reason (imo fins are a faff, i'd personally just run the ones without them). i haven't tried their ceramic compound yet, but for a road bike they should be good, wouldn't run them on an mtb though. i'm going to be fitting some of their B01S gold copper pads to my spare bike on wednesday, i'll see if they're any good. currently running shimano B05S resin, so it will be a good baseline, even if the new ones are going to be copper-based metallics. i'm also running their resin pads on my shimano xt 2 pots, and they are perfectly adequate, about as good as the shimano G05A and for like 6x cheaper.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: crazyravr on January 06, 2026, 08:29:25 AM
Fully agree. Last summer I got these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009880054213.html and used them for about 10K km on road and will need replacing for 2026. My wife was using the Cooma pinks for about the same. Both PADS :) performed the same and made the same noise when wet lol
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Tazdevl on January 06, 2026, 09:05:53 AM
don't tempt me ;-)
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: FredDias2018 on January 09, 2026, 06:53:46 PM
So, i'd tried the bucklos resin pads before and they work pretty good, even more so if you take the price into account. As such, i've started running the bucklos BRP-01 metallic copper pads on my spare bike to test them out, and i just want to say they're the best shimano B01S format pads i've tried so far. i'm running them on a frankenstein setup, with old tektro auriga comp levers and tektro TKD32 calipers. It was always a 2 finger brake with mediocre power (entry level brakes innit), and while i'm probably gonna use 2 fingers sometimes, since the levers are a bit long and 2 fingers sit better on them, it's the first time i've been able to do steep technical trails with only one finger on the brake with no issues. even with a 160mm front rotor, i can lift the rear wheel with 1 finger while sitting with the seat all the way down. They're much better than shimano semi metallics, and they blow the stock tektros out of the water. in terms of bite from cold they're great honestly, even when it's ~10 degrees celsius they brake nicely from cold, and their performance when warmed up is great. Their heat resistance is good too. Also, since they're copper based metallics, i was expecting them to feel a bit ''sandy/rough'', but they feel as smooth as resins, run dead quiet and have great modulation. for 4.01 euros a set, imo they're the best value pads i've ever bought. 10/10 would buy again, i'm gonna buy a shimano XT format copper set to run on my race bike too. next, i'm gonna try their sintered pads on the guinea pig bike when these wear out.

Edit: after testing them in muddy conditions at right above freezing, i've found that they can be a tiny bit noisy when they're wet and under 2-3 degrees celsius. As with any metallic pad, in very cold and wet conditions you do have to build a tiny bit of heat, when you do they stop making noise. This doesn't happen when it's dry, even if they're very cold they bite right away.

TLDR: bucklos gold copper pads are incredible, 10/10 best value pads i've ever bought
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: dsveddy on May 15, 2026, 07:35:53 AM
I’ve recently switched from COOMA pink to golds. I have a wheelset that are prone to resonant squealing and shrieking. I spent a long time swapping in different rotors and fresh pads thinkingi had contaminated the pads or that the rotor design was the issue.

No, cooma ceramic pads seem to just be predisposed to squealing. Contamination? They squeal. Wet weather? Squeal. Glazed? Squeal. Wrong wheelset?Believe it or not, squeal.

Cooma pink have great durability and are a great pad if your setup tolerates their propensity to squealing (and I have a few of these) If you have any issues with squealing though, go with the golds.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: crazyravr on May 15, 2026, 09:17:34 AM
I have tried many but NONE work anywhere near the Shimano for stopping power. I now just keep the pink Coomas in my saddle bag for emergency.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: fhold on May 15, 2026, 05:00:58 PM
I’ve recently switched from COOMA pink to golds. I have a wheelset that are prone to resonant squealing and shrieking. I spent a long time swapping in different rotors and fresh pads thinkingi had contaminated the pads or that the rotor design was the issue.

No, cooma ceramic pads seem to just be predisposed to squealing. Contamination? They squeal. Wet weather? Squeal. Glazed? Squeal. Wrong wheelset?Believe it or not, squeal.

Cooma pink have great durability and are a great pad if your setup tolerates their propensity to squealing (and I have a few of these) If you have any issues with squealing though, go with the golds.
funny my golds on 3 bike all squeal horribly so that i will switch them out.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: dsveddy on May 18, 2026, 08:40:10 AM
funny my golds on 3 bike all squeal horribly so that i will switch them out.

Curious to hear what your rotor and wheel setup is, and what other pads you’ve tried
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: plocnik on May 18, 2026, 08:49:37 AM
funny my golds on 3 bike all squeal horribly so that i will switch them out.
Have you tried deep cleaning and maybe even re-sanding the disc surface? Technically this should be done anytime you change the brakepad compound and some pad transitions are just worse than others.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: jever98 on May 20, 2026, 12:46:09 PM
Hi folks,

I've used Cooma pink and have been underwhelmed by their stopping power on our cargo bikes. We have steep hills around here and they didn't compare to Shimano or Magura stock pads in max stopping power.

On my eMTB with TRP DHR EVO brakes, I have tried gold ZTTO after trying different TRP and MTX pads. The stopping power is impressive, but they are so grabby that I struggle with front wheel lock up in loose, dry, conditions. Squealing is OK, they stop after a bit of braking and they have the typical grating sound of metallic pads in wet and muddy conditions.

I'm looking for an option that offers more modulation, even if the braking power is a bit lower. Cooma Gold is suggested by Google AI. I'm looking for any real life feedback or suggestions for others to try - I saw Bucklos Copper above as an option to try.

Thanks for your tips.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: plocnik on May 21, 2026, 02:57:10 AM
Hi folks,

I've used Cooma pink and have been underwhelmed by their stopping power on our cargo bikes. We have steep hills around here and they didn't compare to Shimano or Magura stock pads in max stopping power.

On my eMTB with TRP DHR EVO brakes, I have tried gold ZTTO after trying different TRP and MTX pads. The stopping power is impressive, but they are so grabby that I struggle with front wheel lock up in loose, dry, conditions. Squealing is OK, they stop after a bit of braking and they have the typical grating sound of metallic pads in wet and muddy conditions.

I'm looking for an option that offers more modulation, even if the braking power is a bit lower. Cooma Gold is suggested by Google AI. I'm looking for any real life feedback or suggestions for others to try - I saw Bucklos Copper above as an option to try.

Thanks for your tips.

I've been running Cooma Gold in the rear and Shimano L04C in the front - I have to say there is very little difference for me on very steep descends. I weigh around 80kg and the bike is 10kg. The braking performance is not quite on the level of my mtb with 4-piston Magura black, but I think that has more to do with the brakes and bike themselves, not just brakepads. When Shimano pads wear out, I'll just put Coomas in.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: james7 on May 21, 2026, 08:55:56 AM
I just swapped over from the stock tektro semi-metallics that came with my bike for the bucklos sintered pads, and the improvement in stopping power is amazing. Would definitely recommend, especially for the price (about $4)
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: eucalyptus on May 23, 2026, 05:07:21 PM
I do not see much love for the Cooma silver EX plus

I used to have red axs gen2 calipers with both stock pads and Swiss stop pads, DA rotors = poor braking performance and shit calipers.

Switched to Hope RX4+, ran the stock pads, blue and red, with NOW8 rotors (worlds lightest and absolute zero brake surface). It works quite well.

Switched to silver EX plus now, I guess it took some bedding in, now after 300km they work extremely well.
Most is probably due to the RX4+ caliper being 4 piston and have a very very large brake pad surface. But even with NOW8 rotors those EX Plus pads work amazingly well. And for the price? Crazy!

I bought a pair of IIIRiro rotors (galfer copies almost) 2x 160 rotors for less than 10 usd is just unbelievable. They feel high quality and will be interesting to test how they perform with the Ex Plus pads.
Was about to order Cooma pink ceramic but probably gonna skip that now

Do have the pink ceramic pads on my MTB with XTR m9100 brakes and superlight rotors. Squeal quite a bit but the bite is good. Nowhere near the original Shimano G04Ti full metal pads but those are eating rotors and bite is too good.

For anyone who find this on Google search, yes buy brake pads from Aliexpress. Worth every penny. 4 Pairs for less than 12 USD is bonkers
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: Leo.D on June 26, 2026, 03:39:57 AM
Another vote for the gold Coomas. The gold/sintered compound seems to be where they put the actual R&D effort — consistent bite, predictable modulation, and they don't fall off a cliff when they get hot the way the pink ceramic ones do.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: alfiomotrambo on June 26, 2026, 04:55:28 AM
I've try this https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005002777037048.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2RMtY0N) some months ago but the felling during a hard descend was not that great so i change then with the shimano one
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: raisinberry777 on June 26, 2026, 07:14:15 AM
I've try this https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005002777037048.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2RMtY0N) some months ago but the felling during a hard descend was not that great so i change then with the shimano one

Interesting - I've been using the Cooma ones (same ones) on both road and gravel. I find them pretty close to original Shimano in performance and maybe 75% of the durability.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: ZacItaly15 on June 26, 2026, 07:52:28 AM
cheap aliex L05A resin brake pads (5€...) deliver good braking power and decent durability.
Title: Re: Ali express disc brake pads, recommendations
Post by: earlgrey on June 26, 2026, 03:08:00 PM
Anyone have experience with these? https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007370770955.html (https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2RQjUWZ)

I saw them on sale recently, the price and review seems great but can you trust during hard descend?

+1 can definitely recommend these pads. Braking feels the same as the Shimano L05A-RF, after 100 miles of use no noticeable pad wear to indicate it wears out quicker than my shimano pads. I'm using these on the rear and the L05a on the fronts.