I have two bikes (commencal meta ebike and a commencal meta mx) both running Shimano xt (203mm rotors on the MX, 220/203 on the ebike). I ride primarily in North Vancouver, Squamish and Pemby.
Due to the pandemic, and the lack of product availability, I purchased the red and gold MTX pads. In part though I was also trying to figure out the best solution to a heavy ebike that came with resin pads. I put the Red MTX on the ebike and immediately noticed the softer bit point. Almost as if the pad itself was compressing. But the power was too little. Changed out the pads to the gold which increased the braking forces but still retained the softer bit point. Due to the higher weight of the ebike the soft bite point was not something i was looking for as the weight of the bike creates the same effect (more weight, more momentum, more breaking force required, less need for a soft bite point). I had to use more force pulling the lever to get the same result as with Shimano metal pads.
On the non ebike I had the same sensation and moved quickly to the gold pads. Same quieter performance and softer bite (which was sort of nice on the lighter bike) but less power than Shimano metal pads (D02S).
I also tried saving money by putting the red pads on my 15 year old son's Transition Patrol. And he hated the lack of bite and performance.
In the end (after only a month of use per bike) all bikes were switched back to Shimano metal pads (DO2S). Yes, they are louder, and have a harder bite point. But they provide more stopping power for less lever force and therefore less finger fatigue.
I have used Codes and they are less powerful than XT/Saint. Using the MTX gold pads made the XT brakes more similar to the Codes (less powerful but more modulation). If that is your thing then this is a great solution.
But... In my opinion, once you get used to the XT/Saint brakes with metal pads and the harder bite point, you can modulate just fine. And I would rather have power of the XT/Saint than Codes or to use a brake pad that gives more modulation but less power. So I will be sticking to XT/Saint brakes with Shimano metal DO2S pads.
Jan. 3, 2023, 2:31 p.m. - jason
I have two bikes (commencal meta ebike and a commencal meta mx) both running Shimano xt (203mm rotors on the MX, 220/203 on the ebike). I ride primarily in North Vancouver, Squamish and Pemby. Due to the pandemic, and the lack of product availability, I purchased the red and gold MTX pads. In part though I was also trying to figure out the best solution to a heavy ebike that came with resin pads. I put the Red MTX on the ebike and immediately noticed the softer bit point. Almost as if the pad itself was compressing. But the power was too little. Changed out the pads to the gold which increased the braking forces but still retained the softer bit point. Due to the higher weight of the ebike the soft bite point was not something i was looking for as the weight of the bike creates the same effect (more weight, more momentum, more breaking force required, less need for a soft bite point). I had to use more force pulling the lever to get the same result as with Shimano metal pads. On the non ebike I had the same sensation and moved quickly to the gold pads. Same quieter performance and softer bite (which was sort of nice on the lighter bike) but less power than Shimano metal pads (D02S). I also tried saving money by putting the red pads on my 15 year old son's Transition Patrol. And he hated the lack of bite and performance. In the end (after only a month of use per bike) all bikes were switched back to Shimano metal pads (DO2S). Yes, they are louder, and have a harder bite point. But they provide more stopping power for less lever force and therefore less finger fatigue. I have used Codes and they are less powerful than XT/Saint. Using the MTX gold pads made the XT brakes more similar to the Codes (less powerful but more modulation). If that is your thing then this is a great solution. But... In my opinion, once you get used to the XT/Saint brakes with metal pads and the harder bite point, you can modulate just fine. And I would rather have power of the XT/Saint than Codes or to use a brake pad that gives more modulation but less power. So I will be sticking to XT/Saint brakes with Shimano metal DO2S pads.