SHIMANO H03C METAL BRAKE PADS
Maximum Heat Management for Gravity and E-MTB.
The Shimano H03C Metal Brake Pads are heavy-duty, high-performance pads designed specifically for the extreme demands of 4-piston braking systems.Featuring Shimano’s advanced Ice-Technologies, these pads are equipped with integrated aluminum cooling fins that act as a radiator, drawing heat away from the caliper and rotor.This significantly reduces the operating temperature of your brakes, preventing fluid fade and ensuring a consistent, firm lever feel even on the longest, steepest descents.
Utilizing a high-friction sintered metal compound, the H03C pads deliver immense stopping power and exceptional durability. While resin pads are known for being quiet, these metal pads are engineered to thrive in the harshest environments—including mud, sand, and grit—making them the definitive choice for downhill racing, enduro, and high-torque e-MTB applications.
Key Features
Ice-Tech Cooling Fins: Specialized aluminum fins radiate heat away from the pad surface, keeping your mineral oil cool and preventing "spongy" brake fade.
Sintered Metal Compound: Provides a powerful, aggressive bite and maintains a consistent friction coefficient across a massive temperature range.
4-Piston Optimized: Specifically shaped for high-performance 4-piston calipers to provide even pressure distribution and maximum pad-to-rotor contact.
Extreme Weather Durability: The hardened metal construction is highly resistant to wear in wet, muddy, and abrasive trail conditions, outlasting resin pads by a wide margin.
Stainless Steel Backing Plate: Offers a rigid foundation that resists flex under heavy braking loads, translating into a direct and communicative lever feel.
High-Load Performance: Engineered to handle the increased momentum of modern e-bikes and long-travel gravity rigs.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Model Number | H03C |
| Pad Material | Sintered Metal |
| Backing Plate | Stainless Steel with Aluminum Fins |
| Braking Power | 5/5 (High) |
| Modulation | 3/5 (Direct) |
| Durability | 5/5 (High) |
| Anti-Fade | 5/5 (High) |
| Compatibility | Saint (M820), Zee (M640), XT (M8020) 4-Piston |
✅ Why This IS For You
Downhill & Enduro Racers: If you are tackling multi-thousand-meter descents where standard pads would glaze over or fade.
E-MTB Owners: Perfect for the additional weight and speed of electric mountain bikes, providing the raw stopping power needed for heavy-duty braking.
Hardcore Trail Riders: Ideal if you ride in all weather conditions and want a pad that won't wear out halfway through a gritty winter ride.
❌ Why This May NOT be for you
Noise-Sensitive Riders: Metal pads are naturally noisier than resin, especially when wet or before they reach their optimal operating temperature.
"Resin Only" Rotors: These pads are highly abrasive; ensure your rotors are marked "Metal Compatible." Using them on "Resin Only" discs will cause rapid rotor damage.
BFC Pro Tip
The H03C Metal Pads are built for the rough stuff, but they need to be "bedded-in" correctly to perform. Find a safe, flat stretch of trail or road and perform 20 firm stops from 25km/h down to a walking pace—this "mates" the sintered metal to the rotor and significantly reduces the chance of brake squeal later on. Also, keep the cooling fins clean! If they get packed with dried clay or mud, they can't shed heat effectively. A quick spray with a hose after your ride will keep your Ice-Tech system running at peak efficiency!
