Avid & SRAM Brake Pad Compatibility Guide: Elixir, Code, BB5, BB7, Guide, Level (2025)

Still running Avid brakes? You're not alone. Avid Elixir, Code, BB5, and BB7 brakes remain popular on trail and commuter bikes. Finding the right replacement pads is easy once you understand which pads fit which brakes.

Note: Avid is now part of SRAM, so many newer SRAM brakes share pad compatibility with older Avid models.

Quick Reference: Which Pads Fit Your Brakes?

Pad Type	Compatible Brakes
BB5 Pads	Avid BB5 (mechanical) only
BB7 / Juicy Pads	Avid BB7, Juicy 3/5/7/Carbon/Ultimate
Elixir / Level Pads	Avid Elixir (all models), X0, XX SRAM Level, Level T, Level TL, Level Ultimate SRAM DB1, DB3, DB5
Guide / Trail Pads	SRAM Guide R, RS, RSC, Ultimate Avid Trail, Avid X0 Trail SRAM G2 R, RS, RSC, Ultimate
Code Pads (2011+)	Avid Code R (2011+) SRAM Code R, RSC SRAM Guide RE

Pad Types Explained

BB5 Brake Pads

Compatible with: Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes only

The BB5 is a budget-friendly mechanical disc brake commonly found on entry-level bikes. It uses a unique pad shape that's not interchangeable with BB7 pads, despite the similar names.

Available Compounds:

• Organic: Quieter, good modulation, faster wear
• Semi-metallic: Better durability, works in wet conditions
• Sintered: Longest life, best for wet/muddy riding

BB7 and Juicy Brake Pads

Compatible with:

• Avid BB7 (mechanical)
• Avid Juicy 3, 5, 7
• Avid Juicy Carbon, Juicy Ultimate

The BB7 is one of the best mechanical disc brakes ever made, and the Juicy series was Avid's popular hydraulic line. Both use the same pad shape.

Pro Tip:

BB7s are often upgraded to sintered pads for improved wet-weather performance and longer pad life, especially on touring and gravel bikes.

Elixir and Level Brake Pads

Compatible with:

• Avid Elixir R, CR, CR Mag
• Avid Elixir 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
• Avid X0, XX
• SRAM Level, Level T, Level TL, Level TLM, Level Ultimate
• SRAM DB1, DB3, DB5

This is the most common pad type for older Avid hydraulic brakes. The Elixir series was Avid's flagship trail brake for years, and SRAM's Level line uses the same pad footprint.

Compound Recommendations:

Compound	Best For
Organic	XC, dry conditions, noise-sensitive riders
Sintered	Wet/muddy riding, long descents, aggressive trail

Guide and Trail Brake Pads

Compatible with:

• SRAM Guide R, RS, RSC, Ultimate
• SRAM G2 R, RS, RSC, Ultimate
• Avid Trail, X0 Trail

SRAM's Guide series replaced the Elixir line and uses a different, wider pad shape. The newer G2 brakes share the same pad compatibility.

Code Brake Pads (2011+)

Compatible with:

• Avid Code R (2011 and later)
• SRAM Code R, RSC
• SRAM Guide RE

The Code is SRAM's most powerful brake, with a 4-piston caliper designed for downhill and e-bike use. Note: Pre-2011 Avid Code brakes use a different pad - check your model year.

Which Compound Should You Run?

We make three compounds. Here is how to choose:

Gravity – Our most popular compound. Organic-based with high metal content. Aggressive wet-weather bite close to sintered, but with better system heat management on long descents. Heat stays in the rotor rather than the caliper and fluid. Quieter than sintered. Works in Code, Guide, G2, Level, and Elixir-compatible shapes. This is what most North Shore riders run year-round.

Trail – Organic compound with excellent modulation and the quietest operation. A genuine all-rounder for mixed trail conditions. Best starting point if you are unsure what to run.

Sintered – Maximum durability in deep mud and sustained wet. Best raw pad longevity. Does transfer more heat into the caliper and fluid on long descents than organic-based compounds, which is worth knowing if you do sustained alpine descents.

Common Questions

Are Avid and SRAM pads the same?

For many models, yes. SRAM acquired Avid, and brakes like the SRAM Level use the same pads as Avid Elixir. Always check the specific compatibility chart above.

Can I use BB7 pads in my BB5?

No. Despite similar names, BB5 and BB7 use completely different pad shapes.

Will Guide pads fit my Elixir?

No. Guide/G2 pads are wider and not compatible with Elixir/Level brakes.

Do I need to bed in new pads?

Yes! Proper bed-in is essential. Do 20-30 firm stops from moderate speed, avoiding complete stops until the pads are bedded.