Best Brake Pads for Magura Brakes (2026)

You're halfway down Expresso on the North Shore, it's steep, it's loose, and you squeeze the lever. Nothing. Your Magura MT5s feel like they're grabbing a wet fish. The pads are toast. Time for new ones.

But here's where Magura gets confusing: there are two completely different pad shapes depending on which brake you have. Buy the wrong one and it won't even fit in the caliper. Magura uses a wider pad for their 4-piston brakes (MT5, MT7, MT Trail Sport front) and a narrower pad for their 2-piston brakes (MT2, MT4, MT6, MT8, MT Trail Sport rear). Get the right shape first, then pick your compound.

Magura 4-Piston vs 2-Piston Pad Shapes

This is the single most important thing to know before ordering Magura pads. It's not about the model number. It's about the caliper.

4-piston Magura calipers use a wider pad with four pistons pushing it against the rotor. These are found on the MT5, MT7, and the front caliper of the MT Trail Sport. The pad is roughly 40mm wide and has a distinct rectangular shape.

2-piston Magura calipers use a narrower pad. You'll find these on the MT2, MT4, MT6, MT8, and the rear caliper of the MT Trail Sport. Same basic design, just smaller.

At Loam Goat, we label everything clearly: "Magura 4-Piston" or "Magura 2-Piston." No guesswork. If you know your brake model, you know your pad shape. Check our Magura brake pads collection and it's sorted for you.

Best Compound for Magura MT5 and MT7

The MT5 and MT7 are Magura's heavy hitters. Four pistons, big calipers, serious stopping power. They come stock on a ton of e-bikes and enduro rigs. So which compound should you run?

We recommend Gravity compound for most MT5 and MT7 riders. Here's why.

Worth knowing first: Magura recommends organic pads for their brakes. The reason is heat management. Sintered conducts heat into the caliper and brake fluid, on sustained descents that can soften lever feel and cause fade. Organic compounds insulate the system, keeping heat in the rotor where it dissipates naturally. Magura engineers their calipers with this in mind.

Our Gravity compound is an organic compound with a high metal content, aggressive bite that 4-piston Magura brakes deserve, while working with how Magura’s system is designed. Better system heat management than sintered on long descents. It’s our top seller for MT5 and MT7 riders.

Sintered is a valid choice for short, wet, muddy rides where pad longevity matters more than sustained descent performance. But for most MT5 and MT7 use cases, Gravity is the better fit.

Magura MT Trail Pad Compatibility

The MT Trail Sport is a clever brake. But it trips people up when it's time for new pads.

Here's the deal: the MT Trail runs a 4-piston caliper on the front and a 2-piston caliper on the rear. That means you need two different pad shapes for one bike. Front pads are the same as MT5/MT7 pads. Rear pads are the same as MT2/MT4/MT6/MT8 pads.

We get emails about this every week. Someone orders two sets of 4-piston pads and the rears don't fit. Loam Goat sells a mix kit that includes both shapes, so you get exactly what you need in one order.

Do Campagnolo and Magura Use the Same Pads?

This one surprises people. Yes, Campagnolo Chorus and Ekar disc brake calipers use the exact same pad shape as Magura 2-piston brakes.

If you're running Campagnolo Ekar on a gravel bike or Chorus on a road bike, you can use any pad listed for Magura MT2, MT4, MT6, or MT8. Same dimensions, same backing plate, same mounting. Campagnolo doesn't make their own calipers for these. The internals are Magura.

This is actually great news because it means you have way more pad options than Campagnolo's own (limited and pricey) lineup. Our sintered Magura 2-piston pads work perfectly in Campagnolo calipers and cost less than OEM replacements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do MT5 and MT7 use the same brake pads?

Yes. Both are 4-piston Magura brakes and share the same pad shape. The MT7 has a different lever and slightly different caliper finish, but the pad is identical. Any pad that fits an MT5 fits an MT7.

What pads does the Magura MT Trail use?

The MT Trail has a 4-piston caliper on the front and a 2-piston on the rear. You need two different pad shapes for one bike. Loam Goat sells a mix kit that includes both so you don't have to figure it out yourself.

Do Campagnolo Ekar brakes use Magura pads?

Yes. Campagnolo Chorus and Ekar calipers use the same pad shape as Magura 2-piston brakes (MT2, MT4, MT6, MT8). You can use any Magura 2-piston compatible pad in a Campagnolo caliper.

Best Magura brake pads for e-bikes?

Gravity compound. E-bikes generate more heat due to extra weight and speed, and Magura's system is designed for organic pads. Sintered transfers heat into the caliper and fluid, exactly what you don't want on a heavy bike doing repeated descents. Gravity gives you the aggressive bite e-bike riding demands while keeping heat in the rotor rather than building up in the hydraulic system.

How long do Magura brake pads last?

It depends on compound and conditions. Organic pads last 3-6 months for regular trail riders. Sintered pads last roughly twice as long. In wet BC conditions, organic pads can burn through in a few weeks if you're riding hard. Sintered holds up much better.

Still not sure which pads fit your Magura brakes? Check our Magura brake pads collection or shoot us a message. We'll sort you out.