Pad Review by Wes at Shuttlerack Plus We Review the Shuttlerack Bike Rack

Independent Brake Pad Review by Shuttlerack

When Wes over at Shuttlerack decided to test brake pad compounds head-to-head, we were genuinely curious about the results. Wes rides hard, he's methodical about testing, and he doesn't have a reason to sugarcoat anything. The video below is his full review.

We've added some context below about the compounds tested and what we've learned since this review was published.

A local based bike rack company reviews our pads! Wes also goes into some installation detail if you're interested.

Shuttlerack is a 100% Canadian vertical hitch bike rack company based in Chilliwack and close to Vedder Mountain. I purchased the four bike version from Wes when he was starting his business because I was looking for an alternative to the https://northshoreracks.com/. The thing that stood out to me was the fact it didn't contact any part of the frame (something similar to the https://1up-usa.com/product/recon-rack but it was local and Canadian $$$'s).

The rack is simple, sturdy and well built. I can see it lasting a long time. When it came time to load bikes, I didn't have to explain it to my friends as it was quite intuitive and we got our bikes loaded and back up for the next lap which is really the point. When it came time to load the families bikes, I was able to get my daughter's 14" bike loaded with some extra long bungees to hold the bottom tire in place. This was before Shuttlerack had the extension but now you can secure it properly.

 

Pros

- Works for a variety of bike styles

-Sturdy

-Can carry 4 bikes without impacting on vehicle length severely

-Easy to load

 

Cons

-Heavy (but racks similar to this style all weigh similar)

What Was Tested

Wes put multiple brake pad compounds through real-world testing on the trails. The review covers key performance metrics that actually matter to riders: stopping power, noise, modulation, and wear rate. Rather than a controlled lab test, this is how pads actually perform on the mountain, which is way more useful for making a buying decision.

Key Takeaways from the Review

• Sintered (metallic) pads delivered the most consistent performance in all conditions, especially wet. They're louder, but when you need to stop, they stop. No surprises.
• Organic (resin) pads offered better initial bite and were quieter, but they wore faster and lost performance in prolonged wet conditions. Great for dry trail riding where noise matters to you.
• Semi-metallic compounds landed in the middle. A genuine compromise between organic feel and sintered durability. For riders who want one pad that does everything reasonably well, this is the move.

What We've Learned Since

Since this review, we've had hundreds of customers run these same compounds on North Shore trails, Whistler bike park, and everything in between. The general findings hold up:

• Wet riders should go sintered. If your local trails are wet more than they're dry, organic pads just won't last. The initial savings get eaten up by replacing them twice as often.
• Compound choice matters more than brand. A good sintered pad from any reputable manufacturer will outperform a cheap organic pad. Don't overthink the brand. Think about the compound first.
• Bed-in is everything. We've seen customers complain about pad performance and it turns out they never properly bedded them in. 10-15 moderate stops from medium speed on a gentle slope. Every time. No exceptions.
• Mix and match works. Some Loam Goat customers run sintered on the front (where most braking force goes) and organic on the rear. Gets you the stopping power where it counts and quieter operation from the back brake.

Wes's review is a solid, honest look at how compounds actually perform. We appreciate riders who take the time to do real testing and share the results.

Ready to pick your compound? Browse all brake pads at Loam Goat, or narrow it down by brand: Shimano | SRAM.