absoluteBLACK Introduces the GRAPHENpads 18

Brake pads are the single most important part of the bike, which determines how confidently you can descend. The key element to their optimum performance is to keep the temperature of the brake pads and the rotor as low as possible (ideally below 400C), especially on longer descends. The hotter the pads get, the faster they fade, which means they lose the ability to slow you down reliably when needed. Overheated pads loose braking consistency and behave differently each time you press the brake lever, which greatly diminishes your braking confidence, effectively making you ride much slower.

The ideal brake pad will have the same predictable braking power, initial braking bite and perfect modulation throughout a long descend. After 3 years of development, we believe that we have achieved just that with our GRAPHENpads®. The results of the machine tests and thermal imaging show that we were able to reduce disc pad and rotor temperature by up to 35% vs competitors and completely eliminate brake fading.

GRAPHENpads® are a completely new benchmark for the braking pad industry thanks to our unique approach to the design of backplate cooling fins, bespoke backplate coating with graphene as well as a completely new friction compound, which uses specially modified graphene instead of toxic copper.

The key elements of GRPAHENpads®:

• First pads on the market containing specially modified graphene in their friction compound, which greatly improves braking performance, durability and heat transfer to the backplate.
• Thanks to the backplates being entirely covered in graphene heat dissipating coating, it was possible to achieve much greater heat transfer from the friction material to the cooling fins and at the same time, increase radiation of heat (IR spectrum) by over 20% (which is very significant).
• First pads in the market with patented, angled radiator fins for superior airflow and cooling. Angle cutting provides three major benefits. 1. Increased overall surface of the radiator by 40% vs standard cutting methods. 2. Significantly greater airflow compared to traditional radiators that increases convective heat dissipation 3. Most importantly, 45deg angle cutting makes all the surfaces radiate the heat away from the brake pad. Heat radiation (IR spectrum) is the highest in perpendicular direction to the surface so in a standard radiator, every fin is radiating its heat at a neighbouring fin, keeping more heat in the element. Our pads radiate all the heat away from the back plate.
• To date, GRAPHENpads® are the only brake pads in the market that completely eliminate toxic copper, ahead of new regulations (copper brake dust is proven to be toxic to aquatic life hence new California regulation will ban use of copper by 2025)
• They are produced in EU unlike majority of other pads on the market, which come from a single Taiwanese factory.

• Predictability and power, allowing you to regain full control of your braking
• Better modulation and faster stopping
• Improved confidence when descending
• No brake fade, more consistency and reliable braking feel corner after corner, even on the most demanding descends.
• They are very quiet, even during long descends.
• They reduce fatigue of your hands due to greatly reduced brake lever force needed to achieve powerful braking compared to competition.

Why most pads have similar, average performance:

The great majority of popular organic disc pads on the market are produced by just one Taiwanese company. Interestingly, they don’t develop braking compounds themselves but instead, source such formulas from elsewhere. Anyone can pick their braking compound from a short catalogue, then pick a color of the backing surface and just like that, they’ve created their own brand of braking pads.

GRAPHENpad’s friction compound on the other hand, was developed with help from renowned European disc pads specialist with decades of experience and one-of-a-kind equipment, that allows for precise performance testing. Graphene is still a very new material, especially in friction brake compounds. Due to its very unique properties and years of testing, we were able to develop a friction material like no other. In the automotive industry, where every major car maker has already filed several patent applications for friction compounds containing graphene, it’s clear to see that it is the future of braking pads. New regulations which start from 2025 will prohibit the use of copper powder in disc pads. Graphene is not only an excellent substitute to copper, but a major upgrade in terms of performance. We are the first company in the bicycle industry offering graphene in the friction compound.

Descending Test

In this testing sequence lasting 600s (10 min) and using a one-of-a-kind machine, we performed a simulation of a long descent on a road bike, with a constant force of 10N on the brake lever and slope angle of 12,5%. Velocity was 25km/h (15.5mph) with air blowing on the braking system at the same speed. Key parameters were recorded at 0.1s interval (6000 points per test). We used Dura- Ace Icetech rotors. This test helps us to understand how the brake system and friction material behaves during longer periods of braking and when the brake is subjected to fading.

In simple words we simulate a 100kg (220lbs) rider+bike gently dragging their brakes all the way down the descend. It is a typical behaviour for unexperienced riders when descending in alpine terrain.

We have compared GRAPHENpads to Shimano K-Type L03A (Dura-Ace), Swissstop Disc 34 RS and Kogel R9100 BIA pads. In every brake pad test we have used a new Dura-Ace rotor, new 105 caliper and new brake oil. Those control measures are important as once the caliper reaches over 450C, its seals sustain permanent damage and decomposition of braking fluid can occur. When temperature of the caliper goes above 500C, aluminium core in the rotor starts to soften, causing permanent deformation of the braking surface. Each test was conducted following a standardised bedding-in process of the brake pad-rotor pair, with automated cycle of 100 braking events in dry, 30 in wet, 30 in dry conditions and various, pre-set intensities. Then we let the system to cool down to ambient temperature and dry out before main test.

Our machine tests and thermal imaging show that with GRAPHENpads® (Graph 1), it is possible to reduce disc pad and rotor temperature by up to 35% vs competitors and completely eliminate brake fading. It is also worth noting that friction coefficient remains very stable, which translates to very predictable and consistent braking performance.

From thermal imaging we can observe that GRAPHENpads® were able to significantly reduce brake caliper temperature vs other brake pads, which translates to increased performance and prolonged life of caliper seals and braking fluid. (On images dark violet represents temperatures of around 27C and “white” represents over 400C )

Why cooling fins are the critical part of brake cooling ability.

In order to explain how important the disc pad fins are to overall disc brake cooling abilities, first we need to understand what is the most important factor that helps the brake calliper, rotor and pads to cool down. Air moving past all braking elements during the ride, plays this crucial role. Increasing the surface of disc pad backplate enables more exposure to wind hence improves cooling. The cooler the pads, rotor and caliper, the better the braking performance.

In the thermal images below, you can see GRAPHENpads® tested with and without air blowing on the test setup. It is clear that without the wind, even the best brake pads start overheating very fast, showing how significant role cooling fins play in overall temperature management and braking performance.

Progressive Braking Test

In this testing sequence lasting 300s (5 min) and using a one-of-a-kind machine, we performed a simulation of a series of braking cycles at various brake forces. It indicates what is happening in the first 20 seconds when the brake lever is engaged with various brake forces.

Flywheel connected to rotor was constantly spinning at 25km/h (15.5mph) while brake lever force of 14.5-20.5N was applied at 1N increment in 7 consecutive cycles lasting for 20s brake on, 20s brake off to cool down, 20s brake on.. with air blowing on the braking system at the same speed as rotor speed. Key parameters were recorded at 0.1s interval (3000 points per test). We have compared GRAPHENpads to Shimano K-Type L03A (Dura-Ace), Swissstop Disc 34 RS and Kogel R9100 BIA pads. We used the same bed in procedure as in the Descending test.

Looking at the velocity of rotor (blue lines) on the graphs, which represent the ability of brake pads to slow down the bike at certain brake lever force, It is clear that GRAPHENpads possess superior braking performance at lowest possible brake lever forces, meaning they require far less force on brake lever to stop you faster than any other competitor. This means you can descend faster and brake later with very small force required.

On the graph above GRAPHENpads completely stopped the flywheel (rotor velocity to 0) on already second braking cycle which interestingly lasted less than allocated 20s. Each subsequent braking cycle (yellow bars) lasted even shorter because flywheel was stopped much faster than anticipated. The faster the brake pads can stop the rotor the lower the temperature of the system is (red line) because there is no time for the heat to build-up.

On the graph above Shimano Dura-Ace L03A pads completely stopped the flywheel on sixth cycle (blue line). It also seems that backplate cooling fins helped to keep the temperature (red line) decreasing in each subsequent braking cycle despite each lasted full 20s.

GRAPHENpads® will be offered in 4 models

• Disc 34 – For Shimano Dura Ace and other models 
• Disc 35 – For Sram eTap AXS and other models 

Disc 34 & 35 have angled cooling fin cutting structure, graphene coating and graphene performance ROAD friction compound - MSRP $62.99 USD

• Disc 27 – For Shimano XTR and other models
• Disc 31 – For Sram G2 and other models

Disc 27 & 31 have straight fin cutting structure, graphene coating and graphene endurance MTB friction compound - MSRP $49.99 USD

• Disc 15 – For Shimano Deore and other models - MSRP $37.99 USD

Disc 15 has no fins due to caliper limitations, graphene coating and graphene endurance MTB friction compound

Disclaimer:

The photos are not altered. Special 45deg angle cutting of our fins produces really thin fin structures when looking from 45deg angle. However, when looking from the 90deg angle (perpendicular to brake pad surface) or -45deg they appear to be much thicker. Cutting at such an angle adds 40% more surface than normal 90deg cutting hence the appearance.

For more information, please visit absoluteblack.cc