Which Brake Pads?

[S6PNJ]

My Shimano disc pads are almost worn out and I need to replace them - but with what???? Most of my riding is XC, some quite muddy and gritty/sandy. Area is Bucks if that helps!

I can get:

Semi Metallic
Sintered
Kevlar
Ceramic Pro
Ceramic Hard

But which will be best? And which do I need?

[curlie467]

Sintered.

[S6PNJ]

Thanks - but why sintered over the others? I know pretty much nothing about the different types so feel free to use words of one syllable or less in any explanation.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Does it really make that much difference, on the basis that a disc brake (or even a normal brake) will easily overcome the available traction on road, let alone off it?

[Gooby]

Sintered for winter. Sintered last really well and deal with wet, mud, crap really well but they dont have a great feel.
Organic for the summer. Superb feel and great stopping power but they disapear very quickly in the wet / crap.

If I were changing pads at this time of year I would bung the sintered in.