SRAM Brake Pad Compatibility Guide: Guide, Code, Maven, G2 (2025)

Understanding SRAM's Brake Pad Shapes

SRAM doesn't make it easy. Unlike Shimano, which has a clear letter system for pad shapes, SRAM groups their brakes into families that share the same pad. If you've ever stared at your caliper wondering what fits, you're not alone. Here's the breakdown.

SRAM uses four main pad shapes across their mountain bike lineup:

• Code (large pad) – Fits Code R, Code RSC, Code Silver Stealth, and Code Gold Stealth. 4-piston enduro and DH brake.
• Maven (own pad shape) – Introduced with the Maven in 2023. Not compatible with Code despite both being 4-piston. Fits Maven Ultimate, Maven Silver, and Maven Bronze.
• Guide / G2 / Level (medium pad) – The most common shape. Fits Guide R, Guide RS, Guide RSC, Guide Ultimate, G2 R, G2 RS, G2 RSC, G2 Ultimate, Level TLM, Level Ultimate, and the Trail series. Basically every 2-piston trail brake SRAM has made in the last decade.
• Road (small pad) – For SRAM's flat-mount road and gravel calipers. Fits Red eTap AXS, Force eTap AXS, Rival eTap AXS, and Apex AXS. Worth knowing: SRAM road brakes actually use two pad shapes that are mechanically interchangeable – one was the original OE spec, the other a later design. Both work in the same calipers.

The video below walks through the full compatibility list, but keep reading if you want the quick reference.

SRAM brakes are everywhere, but pad compatibility can be confusing. This guide covers every SRAM brake pad type.

Quick Reference

Pad Shape	Compatible Brakes
Guide/G2	Guide RSC/RS/R/T/RE, G2 Ultimate/RSC/R, Avid XO Trail
Code	Code RSC, RS, R (4-piston)
Maven	Maven Ultimate/Silver/Bronze (new design)
Level	Level Ultimate/TLM/TL/T, Avid DB1/3/5
Road	Red/Force/Rival/Apex eTap AXS

Guide and G2: Same Pad

Guide and G2 series use identical pads. Whether $100 Guide R or $300 G2 Ultimate, pads are the same.

Code: 4-Piston Power

Code brakes use a larger pad - NOT compatible with Guide/G2. Built for e-bikes, heavy riders, bike park.

Maven: New Design

Released 2023, completely new pad shape. Not compatible with any previous SRAM brake.

Which Compound Should You Run?

We make three compounds for SRAM brakes. Here is how they map to riding style:

Gravity – Our most popular compound. Organic-based with high metal content. Aggressive bite and wet-weather performance close to sintered, but with better heat management on long descents (heat stays in the rotor, not the caliper). Quieter than sintered. Works in Code, Maven, Guide, G2, and Level.

Trail – Organic compound with excellent modulation and the quietest operation. A genuine all-rounder for mixed conditions and technical trail riding. Good starting point if you are unsure.

Sintered – Maximum durability in deep mud and sustained wet conditions. Best raw longevity. Does transfer more heat into the caliper and fluid on long descents than organic-based compounds.

FAQ

Guide = G2 pads? Yes, identical.

Code fit Guide? No, different shape.

Bed-in? Yes, 20-30 stops.

Compound by Brake Model

Once you know your pad shape, pick the compound that matches how you ride:

• Code / Maven riders – Gravity compound is our default. Aggressive bite in the wet, smooth modulation on technical sections, and better system heat management on long descents than sintered. Step up to sintered if you are in consistently deep mud and raw pad longevity is the priority.
• Guide / G2 / Level riders – Trail compound is the all-rounder: great modulation, quiet, good across mixed conditions. Step up to Gravity if you ride the North Shore or anywhere consistently wet and steep. Sintered for the most demanding muddy conditions.
• Road/Gravel riders – Trail compound for most use. Quiet, excellent modulation at road speeds. Gravity for sustained alpine or wet gravel descents.

Quick Compatibility Reference

Pad Shape	SRAM Brakes
Code / Maven (large)	Code R, Code RSC, Code Silver Stealth, Code Gold Stealth, Maven, Maven Silver, Maven Ultimate
Guide / G2 / Level (medium)	Guide R, Guide RS, Guide RSC, Guide Ultimate, G2 R, G2 RS, G2 RSC, G2 Ultimate, Level TLM, Level Ultimate, Trail
Road (small)	Red eTap AXS, Force eTap AXS, Rival eTap AXS

We stock pads for every SRAM shape and compound at Loam Goat. Browse all SRAM brake pads here.

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