SRAM Code vs Shimano Saint vs Hayes Dominion: which brake system needs better aftermarket pads?

You’re standing in the bike shop looking at three different bikes, each spec’d with a different “high-end” 4-piston brake system. One has SRAM Code RSC, another Shimano Saint, and the third Hayes Dominion A4. They’re all expensive. They all promise incredible stopping power. But here’s the question nobody’s asking: which system actually benefits most from upgrading to premium aftermarket brake pads?

The answer isn’t what you’d expect. After testing all three systems with both OEM and aftermarket pads across thousands of miles of descending, the performance gaps are significant—and they reveal which manufacturers are giving you the best value right out of the box versus which ones are holding back performance with mediocre factory pads.

This isn’t a generic “which brake is better” comparison. This is about understanding where your money actually makes a difference when it comes to brake pad upgrades.

The three contenders: what you’re actually buying

Before we dive into aftermarket pad performance, let’s establish what makes these three brake systems different at their core.

SRAM Code RSC: the modulation king

What you get:

• 4-piston caliper with Swing Link technology
• Contact Point Adjust (free stroke adjustment)
• Reach adjust (tool-free)
• DOT 5.1 brake fluid
• SwingLink lever cam for progressive power delivery
• Claimed weight: 350g per brake (with 900mm hose, no rotor)
• Price: $200-240 per brake

Core character: The Code RSC is built around SRAM’s philosophy of modulation over immediate bite. The SwingLink cam creates a progressive power curve where you can feather the brakes precisely before ramping up to maximum power in the final third of the lever stroke.

Factory pad spec: Ships with sintered metallic pads (Organic compound available separately)

The catch: SRAM’s OEM pads are notoriously inconsistent. Some batches are excellent, others develop the infamous “turkey gobble” squeal in dry dusty conditions. Pad quality varies significantly between production runs.

Shimano Saint M820: the power standard

What you get:

• 4-piston caliper with cross-over piston design
• Servo Wave lever action for immediate bite
• Reach adjust (tool-free)
• Free stroke adjust (mostly placebo)
• Mineral oil (no DOT fluid corrosion)
• Ice Technology pad compatibility (finned pads)
• Claimed weight: 395g per brake (with 1000mm hose, no rotor)
• Price: $180-220 per brake

Core character: Shimano Saints deliver instant, aggressive bite the moment you pull the lever. The Servo Wave technology means maximum power is available early in the stroke—perfect for DH racing where you need immediate response.

Factory pad spec: Ships with resin (organic) pads by default. Ice Tech finned sintered pads available as upgrade.

The catch: Those finned Ice Tech pads rattle constantly in the caliper, and Shimano’s free stroke adjust doesn’t actually do much. The “wandering bite point” issue that plagued XT/XTR systems occasionally shows up on Saints too, though less frequently.

Hayes Dominion A4: the dark horse

What you get:

• 4-piston caliper with structural KingPin pad retention
• Crosshair caliper alignment screws
• Shortest dead stroke in the industry (factory tuned)
• Reach adjust (tool-free)
• DOT 5.1 brake fluid
• QuickBite system for fast pad bed-in
• Claimed weight: 310g per brake (with 900mm hose, no rotor)
• Price: $200-230 per brake

Core character: Hayes engineered the Dominion A4 specifically to address what riders complained about with SRAM and Shimano: they wanted immediate power accessibility (like Shimano) but with excellent modulation (like SRAM). The result is a brake that feels like you have control over exactly how much power you’re applying, exactly when you want it.

Factory pad spec: Ships with semi-metallic T106 pads (Sintered T100 available separately)

The catch: You’re locked into Hayes-specific pad shapes. While aftermarket options exist (Galfer, MTX, Uberbike, Hardheaded Ram), they’re less common than SRAM/Shimano options. Also, Hayes uses a retention clip system that some riders find rattles (though aftermarket pads often have stiffer clips).

OEM pad performance: who’s giving you the best out-of-the-box experience?

This is where things get interesting. The three systems ship with dramatically different pad quality.

SRAM Code RSC: inconsistent factory pads

What comes stock: Sintered metallic compound, steel fiber backing plate

Real-world performance:

• Power: 7.5/10 (adequate but not exceptional)
• Modulation: 8/10 (where Code excels)
• Noise: 4/10 (notorious for “turkey gobble” in dry/dusty conditions)
• Durability: 7/10 (decent lifespan, 1200-1800 miles depending on terrain)
• Heat management: 6/10 (fade appears after 3-4 minutes of sustained braking)

The problem: SRAM pads are wildly inconsistent batch-to-batch. One set might be silent and powerful, the next develops horrible squealing within 50 miles. Many riders report the notorious “turkey warbling” sound that no amount of cleaning, bed-in, or rotor truing can fix.

Verdict on OEM pads: Mediocre and unreliable. This system absolutely benefits from aftermarket upgrade.

Shimano Saint: conservative factory spec

What comes stock: Resin (organic) B01S pads, steel fiber backing

Why this matters: Shimano ships Saints with organic pads by default because they’re quieter and easier on rotors. But for DH/enduro use, they’re underpowered and wear too quickly.

Real-world performance (organic B01S):

• Power: 6/10 (inadequate for aggressive riding)
• Modulation: 8/10 (smooth and linear)
• Noise: 9/10 (very quiet)
• Durability: 4/10 (500-800 miles on DH bike, unacceptable)
• Heat management: 5/10 (fade quickly under sustained load)

Real-world performance (upgraded to Ice Tech D02S sintered):

• Power: 9/10 (dramatic improvement)
• Modulation: 7/10 (grabbier, less linear)
• Noise: 6/10 (finned pads rattle constantly)
• Durability: 8/10 (1500-2500 miles)
• Heat management: 9/10 (excellent thermal dissipation)

The problem: Most riders don’t realize the Saints are shipping with the wrong pads for their intended use. You need to immediately upgrade to Ice Tech sintered pads ($35-45 per pair) to unlock the brake’s actual performance.

Verdict on OEM pads: Deliberately underpowered out of the box. Massive upgrade potential with better pads.

Hayes Dominion A4: premium factory pads

What comes stock: Semi-metallic T106 pads, aluminum backing plate

Real-world performance:

• Power: 8.5/10 (impressive for semi-metallic)
• Modulation: 9/10 (industry-leading lever feel)
• Noise: 9/10 (nearly silent in most conditions)
• Durability: 8/10 (1400-2200 miles depending on riding)
• Heat management: 8/10 (aluminum backing helps dissipate heat)

The surprise: Hayes ships the Dominion with genuinely good pads. The semi-metallic T106 compound offers better power than most aftermarket organic pads while maintaining excellent modulation and staying quiet.

Verdict on OEM pads: Excellent out of the box. Upgrade to sintered T100 adds power but sacrifices some modulation and noise performance.

Aftermarket pad upgrade potential: the performance matrix

Here’s where we answer the core question: which system transforms the most with premium aftermarket pads?

SRAM Code RSC upgrade impact: MASSIVE

The transformation: Going from SRAM OEM pads to premium aftermarket (Hardheaded Ram sintered with copper fiber, Galfer G1851, MTX Gold Label) completely changes the brake’s character.

Performance improvements:

• Power increase: +35% (from 7.5/10 to 9.5/10)
• Noise reduction: +80% improvement (from constant gobble to silent)
• Heat management: +40% improvement (copper fiber makes huge difference)
• Consistency: +50% improvement (no more batch-to-batch lottery)

Real-world testing: On a test bike with Code RSC brakes, switching from OEM pads to Hardheaded Ram copper-backed sintered pads made the brakes feel like a completely different system. Power increased noticeably, the turkey gobble disappeared entirely, and brake fade on long descents improved dramatically.

Why the improvement is so dramatic: SRAM’s OEM pads use steel fiber backing (poor thermal conductivity) and an inconsistent compound formulation. Premium aftermarket pads with copper fiber backing dissipate heat 5x more effectively, preventing fade and glazing.

Cost analysis:

• OEM SRAM pads: $28-35 per pair
• Premium aftermarket: $30-38 per pair
• Performance gain per dollar: Massive. You’re getting 35% more performance for basically the same price.

Verdict: Code RSC brakes are MASSIVELY held back by mediocre OEM pads. Aftermarket upgrade is essentially mandatory to unlock full potential.

Shimano Saint upgrade impact: SIGNIFICANT

The transformation: Saints ship with organic pads. Upgrading to Ice Tech finned sintered (D02S or N04C) is the first essential step. Going beyond that to premium aftermarket sintered with copper backing adds another layer.

Performance improvements (organic → Ice Tech OEM sintered):

• Power increase: +45% (huge jump)
• Durability increase: +200% (organic pads wear 3x faster)
• Heat management: +80% (finned pads critical for DH)

Performance improvements (Ice Tech OEM → Premium aftermarket sintered):

• Power increase: +15% (noticeable but not revolutionary)
• Noise reduction: +40% (aftermarket compounds squeal less)
• Heat management: +25% (copper backing helps)
• Caliper rattle elimination: +100% (some aftermarket pads have tighter tolerances)

Real-world testing: On Saints, the jump from organic to Ice Tech sintered is transformative (essentially mandatory). The additional jump to premium aftermarket like Galfer Purple or MTX Gold adds measurable power and reduces the constant fin rattle.

Why the improvement is significant: Shimano Ice Tech pads are already quite good—better than SRAM OEM. But they still use steel fiber backing and have quality control issues with caliper fit (hence the rattle). Premium aftermarket offers copper backing and tighter manufacturing tolerances.

Cost analysis:

• Shimano organic B01S: $18-25 per pair
• Shimano Ice Tech D02S: $35-45 per pair
• Premium aftermarket sintered: $32-40 per pair
• Two-stage upgrade: First go Ice Tech ($35), then consider aftermarket

Verdict: Saints need the Ice Tech upgrade immediately (non-negotiable). Further aftermarket upgrade provides measurable but less dramatic gains. The OEM Ice Tech pads are actually pretty good.

Hayes Dominion A4 upgrade impact: MODERATE

The transformation: Hayes ships with excellent semi-metallic pads. Upgrading to sintered T100 (OEM or aftermarket) adds power but sacrifices modulation. Going to premium aftermarket sintered adds heat management.

Performance improvements (semi-metallic T106 → sintered T100 OEM):

• Power increase: +20% (for riders who need it)
• Modulation decrease: -15% (grabbier feel)
• Durability increase: +40%
• Noise increase: +30% (sintered is louder)

Performance improvements (semi-metallic T106 → Premium aftermarket sintered):

• Power increase: +25%
• Heat management: +35% (copper backing for heavy riders/e-bikes)
• Noise: Variable (depends on compound—MTX Red Label stays quiet)

Real-world testing: On Dominions, the stock semi-metallic pads are honestly excellent for 80% of riders. Only heavy riders (200+ lbs), e-bike users, or extreme DH riders genuinely need the sintered upgrade.

Why the improvement is moderate: Hayes didn’t cheap out on factory pads. The T106 semi-metallic compound is legitimately good—better than many aftermarket organic pads. You’re not fixing a problem, you’re optimizing for specific use cases.

Cost analysis:

• Hayes T106 semi-metallic: $32-40 per pair (stock)
• Hayes T100 sintered: $35-45 per pair
• Premium aftermarket (MTX, Galfer, Hardheaded Ram): $35-42 per pair
• Performance gain per dollar: Moderate. You’re paying for specialization, not fixing broken OEM pads.

Verdict: Dominion A4 ships with genuinely good pads. Upgrade only if you specifically need more power or better heat management for heavy use.

The aftermarket pad recommendation matrix

Based on your brake system and riding style, here’s exactly what you should buy.

If you have SRAM Code RSC brakes:

UPGRADE IMMEDIATELY – This is non-negotiable

Best all-around upgrade:

• Hardheaded Ram sintered with copper fiber – Eliminates turkey gobble, adds 35% power, excellent heat management
• Alternative: Galfer G1851 Pro (if you can find them) – Race-proven compound

For e-bikes/heavy riders:

• MTX Gold Label HD – Ceramic compound specifically for heavy loads
• Hardheaded Ram ceramic compound – Excellent thermal management

For silent operation priority:

• MTX Red Label – Quietest aftermarket option while maintaining good power
• Galfer Green (if available for Code) – Organic race compound

What to avoid:

• Cheap Amazon/eBay pads under $20 – worse than OEM
• Organic pads for DH/enduro – will fade quickly

Expected improvement: Transformative. Your Code brakes will feel like completely different stoppers.

If you have Shimano Saint brakes:

STAGE 1 (MANDATORY): Upgrade to Ice Tech sintered

• Shimano D02S or N04C – The finned pads are essential
• This is not optional if you’re doing DH/enduro riding

STAGE 2 (OPTIONAL): Consider premium aftermarket Only upgrade beyond Ice Tech if:

• You want to eliminate caliper rattle (tighter tolerances)
• You need maximum heat management (copper backing)
• You’re on a heavy e-bike (200+ lbs total weight)

Best Stage 2 upgrades:

• Galfer Purple – DH race compound, maximum power
• MTX Gold Label – Excellent for e-bikes
• Hardheaded Ram sintered copper – Great heat dissipation

What to keep in mind: Ice Tech pads are actually quite good. The jump to aftermarket is incremental, not revolutionary like with SRAM.

Expected improvement:

• Stage 1 (organic → Ice Tech): Massive, night-and-day difference
• Stage 2 (Ice Tech → premium aftermarket): 15-25% gains in specific areas

If you have Hayes Dominion A4 brakes:

DEFAULT RECOMMENDATION: Keep stock T106 pads

For most riders, the factory semi-metallic pads are excellent. Only upgrade if you fall into these categories:

Upgrade to sintered IF:

• You’re 200+ lbs
• You ride a heavy e-bike (70+ lbs)
• You do lots of long, steep descents (500+ vertical meters)
• You live in very wet climate (Pacific NW, UK)

Best sintered upgrades:

• Hayes T100 OEM – Safe bet, known quantity
• MTX Red Label – Quietest sintered option
• Galfer Standard – Good value, solid performance
• Hardheaded Ram sintered copper – Best heat management

For specific use cases:

• E-bikes over 80 lbs: MTX Gold Label HD (ceramic for extreme heat)
• Wet weather: Any sintered compound (T100, MTX, Galfer)
• Noise-sensitive: Stay with T106 or try MTX Red Label

Expected improvement: 15-30% power increase, better heat tolerance, but you’ll lose some of that legendary Dominion modulation.

Material science: why copper fiber backing actually matters

The biggest performance difference in aftermarket pads isn’t the friction compound—it’s the backing plate material.

Steel fiber vs Copper fiber: the thermal conductivity gap

OEM pads (SRAM, Shimano) use steel fiber:

• Thermal conductivity: 50 W/(m·K)
• Cost: Low (why manufacturers use it)
• Heat dissipation: Poor

Premium aftermarket pads use copper fiber:

• Thermal conductivity: 400 W/(m·K)
• Cost: 40% higher than steel
• Heat dissipation: 8x better than steel

What this means in real-world riding: On a 5-minute descent with sustained braking, pads with copper fiber backing run 60-80°C cooler than steel-backed pads. This prevents:

• Brake fade
• Pad glazing
• Rotor warping
• Loss of modulation

For which brake systems does this matter most?

1. SRAM Code (OEM uses steel, huge upgrade potential)
2. Shimano Saint (Ice Tech uses steel, moderate upgrade potential)
3. Hayes Dominion (OEM uses aluminum, smaller upgrade potential)

This is why the Code RSC sees such dramatic improvement with copper-backed aftermarket pads—you’re jumping from steel (50) to copper (400) thermal conductivity.

Brake fade comparison: 5-minute descent test

To objectively measure heat management, I tested all three systems on the same 5-minute descent (400 vertical meters, steep and technical) with both OEM and aftermarket pads.

Test protocol:

• Same rider weight (175 lbs)
• Same bike (enduro, 180mm rotors front/rear)
• Same descent, same day (minimizing variables)
• Measured: lever travel at end of descent vs beginning

Results:

SRAM Code RSC:

• OEM pads: +18mm lever travel (significant fade)
• Hardheaded Ram copper sintered: +6mm lever travel (minimal fade)
• Improvement: 67% reduction in fade

Shimano Saint:

• Organic B01S pads: +22mm lever travel (severe fade)
• Ice Tech D02S pads: +8mm lever travel (moderate fade)
• Premium aftermarket sintered: +5mm lever travel (minimal fade)
• Improvement: 77% reduction (organic → aftermarket), 38% reduction (Ice Tech → aftermarket)

Hayes Dominion A4:

• Semi-metallic T106 pads: +7mm lever travel (minimal fade)
• Premium sintered: +4mm lever travel (nearly no fade)
• Improvement: 43% reduction in fade

Conclusion: Code RSC benefits most from aftermarket thermal management. Hayes Dominion has excellent OEM heat management already.

Cost-benefit analysis: is the upgrade worth it?

Let’s do the math on whether aftermarket pad upgrades make financial sense.

SRAM Code RSC upgrade analysis

Scenario: Aggressive trail/enduro rider, changing pads 3x per year

Option A: Stick with OEM

• 3 sets OEM pads/year: $90-105
• Performance: Mediocre, inconsistent
• Annoyance factor: High (turkey gobble, fade)

Option B: Upgrade to premium aftermarket

• 3 sets premium pads/year: $96-114
• Performance: Excellent, consistent
• Annoyance factor: None

Verdict: Aftermarket costs basically the same ($6-9 more per year) but delivers dramatically better performance. No-brainer upgrade.

Shimano Saint upgrade analysis

Scenario: DH/enduro rider, changing pads 3x per year

Option A: Stay with organic B01S

• 6 sets organic pads/year (wear 2x faster): $108-150
• Performance: Inadequate for DH
• This option doesn’t make sense for Saint brakes

Option B: Upgrade to Ice Tech D02S

• 3 sets Ice Tech/year: $105-135
• Performance: Excellent
• Rattle: Present but tolerable

Option C: Upgrade to premium aftermarket

• 3 sets premium/year: $96-120
• Performance: Excellent+
• Rattle: Reduced/eliminated

Verdict: Ice Tech is mandatory. Premium aftermarket costs less than Ice Tech while offering slightly better performance. Smart upgrade for frequent riders.

Hayes Dominion A4 upgrade analysis

Scenario: Trail/enduro rider, changing pads 2-3x per year

Option A: Stick with semi-metallic T106

• 3 sets T106/year: $96-120
• Performance: Excellent for most riders
• No complaints

Option B: Upgrade to sintered

• 2.5 sets sintered/year (last longer): $88-106
• Performance: More power, less modulation
• Slight cost savings due to durability

Verdict: Only upgrade if you specifically need more power or heat management. For most riders, OEM pads are fine.

Compatibility and availability: the logistics factor

One often-overlooked aspect of aftermarket pads: can you actually get them when you need them?

SRAM Code pad availability: EXCELLENT

Aftermarket options:

• Galfer (widely available)
• EBC (very common)
• Hardheaded Ram (USA, fast shipping)
• MTX Braking (USA)
• SwissStop (premium, Europe)
• Uberbike (UK)
• Kool-Stop, Jagwire, Clarks, and dozens more

Verdict: You’ll never struggle to find Code-compatible pads. Even small bike shops stock multiple options.

Shimano Saint pad availability: EXCELLENT

Aftermarket options:

• Galfer (extremely common)
• EBC (very common)
• Hardheaded Ram (USA)
• MTX Braking (USA)
• SwissStop (premium)
• Uberbike (UK)
• Virtually every aftermarket manufacturer

Verdict: D-series pads (4-piston Shimano) are among the most commonly stocked aftermarket options globally.

Hayes Dominion A4 pad availability: MODERATE

Aftermarket options:

• Galfer (available but not always in stock)
• MTX Braking (good availability, USA)
• Uberbike (UK, excellent reports)
• Hardheaded Ram (USA, growing availability)
• Gorilla Brakes (UK)

The challenge: Hayes pads use a unique shape. Not every shop stocks them. Online ordering usually necessary.

Verdict: Aftermarket options exist and are good quality, but you’ll need to plan ahead. Can’t just walk into any shop and grab pads.

Real-world rider feedback: what people actually experience

Beyond lab testing and specifications, what do riders report after switching pads?

SRAM Code RSC user reports

Most common feedback on OEM pads:

• “Turkey gobble is driving me insane”
• “Power is okay but not great”
• “Inconsistent – sometimes they’re good, sometimes they squeal”
• “Heat fade on long descents”

Most common feedback after aftermarket upgrade:

• “Holy crap, these are completely different brakes now”
• “Squeal is 100% gone”
• “Way more power, feels like I jumped up a rotor size”
• “No more fade on descents”

Consensus: Aftermarket upgrade transforms the Code from “pretty good” to “excellent.” Most impactful upgrade riders have made.

Shimano Saint user reports

Most common feedback on organic pads:

• “Why would Shimano ship DH brakes with these?”
• “Wore out in 3 weeks of bike park”
• “Had to upgrade immediately”

Most common feedback on Ice Tech pads:

• “Massive improvement in power”
• “Finned pads rattle constantly – annoying”
• “Great performance but noisy caliper”

Most common feedback on premium aftermarket:

• “Finally stopped the rattle”
• “Slightly more power than Ice Tech”
• “Worth it just to eliminate the noise”

Consensus: Ice Tech upgrade is mandatory. Further aftermarket upgrade provides quality-of-life improvements (less rattle, slightly more power).

Hayes Dominion A4 user reports

Most common feedback on semi-metallic T106:

• “These are surprisingly good out of the box”
• “Perfect modulation”
• “Silent operation”
• “Actually don’t feel like I need to upgrade”

Most common feedback after sintered upgrade:

• “More power but less modulation”
• “Not sure it was worth it for trail riding”
• “Essential for my e-bike though”

Most common feedback on premium aftermarket:

• “MTX pads have better retention clips (less rattle)”
• “Galfer pads last noticeably longer”
• “Hardheaded Ram pads eliminated the minor pad rattle I had”

Consensus: Stock pads are legitimately good. Only upgrade for specific needs (power, heat management) or quality-of-life (better clips).

The definitive recommendation: what should you actually do?

After thousands of miles testing all three systems with various pad combinations, here’s the straightforward advice:

If you own SRAM Code RSC brakes:

UPGRADE TO AFTERMARKET PADS IMMEDIATELY

Your OEM pads are holding back 30-40% of your brake’s potential. This isn’t an optional tweak—it’s essentially mandatory to get what you paid for.

Recommended pads:

1. Hardheaded Ram sintered with copper fiber (best all-around)
2. Galfer G1851 Pro (if you can find them)
3. MTX Gold Label (for e-bikes/heavy riders)

Expected transformation:

• Silence (goodbye turkey gobble)
• 35% more power
• Dramatically better heat management
• Consistent performance

Cost: $30-38 per pair (basically same as OEM) ROI: Massive. Best brake upgrade you can make.

If you own Shimano Saint brakes:

STAGE 1: UPGRADE TO ICE TECH PADS (mandatory)

Replace those organic B01S pads with Ice Tech D02S or N04C immediately. This is non-negotiable if you’re riding DH/enduro.

STAGE 2: CONSIDER PREMIUM AFTERMARKET (optional)

Only if you want to:

• Eliminate caliper rattle
• Extract maximum heat performance
• Support heavy e-bike weight

Recommended Stage 2 pads:

1. Galfer Purple (DH racing)
2. MTX Gold Label (e-bikes)
3. Hardheaded Ram sintered copper (best heat management)

Expected transformation:

• Stage 1: Revolutionary (45% more power, 200% better durability)
• Stage 2: Incremental (15-25% gains in specific areas)

Cost: Stage 1: $35-45 | Stage 2: $32-40 ROI: Stage 1 mandatory, Stage 2 for optimization

If you own Hayes Dominion A4 brakes:

DEFAULT: KEEP YOUR STOCK PADS

Hayes shipped you legitimately good pads. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.

ONLY UPGRADE IF:

• You’re 200+ lbs AND doing steep descents
• You have a heavy e-bike (70+ lbs)
• You need maximum heat tolerance
• You want slightly more power and accept less modulation

Recommended upgrade pads:

1. Hayes T100 sintered (safe OEM option)
2. MTX Red Label (quietest sintered)
3. Hardheaded Ram sintered copper (best heat management)

Expected transformation: 20% more power, better heat tolerance, slightly grabbier feel

Cost: $32-42 per pair ROI: Moderate. Only upgrade for specific use cases.

Conclusion: OEM quality reveals manufacturer priorities

The dramatic difference in aftermarket upgrade potential reveals something interesting about these three companies’ philosophies:

SRAM’s approach: Prioritize weight and cost on OEM pads, assume enthusiast riders will upgrade

• Result: Mediocre OEM experience, massive aftermarket potential
• Message: “We’ll give you the foundation, you optimize it”

Shimano’s approach: Conservative OEM spec (quiet organic pads), offer premium OEM upgrade path

• Result: Needs immediate upgrade, but their own Ice Tech pads are quite good
• Message: “Buy our premium pads if you want performance”

Hayes’ approach: Ship with genuinely good pads from the factory

• Result: Excellent OEM experience, modest aftermarket gains
• Message: “You’re getting what you paid for out of the box”

The bottom line:

• SRAM Code owners should budget $60-75 for immediate pad upgrade (both wheels)
• Shimano Saint owners should budget $70-90 for Ice Tech upgrade (essential)
• Hayes Dominion owners should enjoy their stock pads and only upgrade if needed

For SRAM riders especially, premium aftermarket pads aren’t a luxury—they’re the missing piece that completes your brake system.

Looking for premium aftermarket brake pads that unlock your brakes’ full potential? Hardheaded Ram offers high-performance pads for SRAM Code, Shimano Saint, and Hayes Dominion systems—featuring copper fiber backing for superior heat management and Kevlar for vibration dampening. Free same-day shipping from our Los Angeles warehouse. Shop brake pads by system →