Sinter Model 004 Shimano G / L Type

Shimano's G-type and L-type pad shapes are the two-piston counterpart to the four-piston D / H pads on the same shifter generations: XTR M9000 / M980, XT M8100 / M8000 / M780, SLX M7100 / M7000 / M670 / M660, Deore M6100 / M6000, and a handful of legacy variants. The Sinter Model 004 is the organic-compound replacement across the two-piston span. If your bike runs a current or recent Shimano MTB two-piston caliper, this is the pad.

What's in the kit

One caliper's worth of pads (2 pads, left and right) for the G-type or L-type Shimano pocket. The kit ships with the spring, pin, and bedding-in instructions. Order two kits if you're replacing front and rear.

Fits

G-type and L-type pad shapes, covering the Shimano two-piston MTB platform:

• Shimano XTR M9000 (BR-M9000, BR-M9020), M980 (BR-M987, BR-M985)
• Shimano Deore XT M8100 (BR-M8100), M8000 (BR-M8000), M780 (BR-M785)
• Shimano SLX M7100 (BR-M7100), M7000 (BR-M7000), M670 (BR-M675), M660 (BR-M666)
• Shimano Deore M6100 (BR-M6100), M6000

If your Shimano two-piston MTB caliper is from the XTR M970 era forward through the current XTR M9100 generation (excluding the K-type-pocketed M9100/M8100/M7100 versions that take the Model 018), the Model 004 is the pad shape. The G-type is the most common version in current XTR and XT trail builds.

Compound and feel

Sinter's organic ceramic-loaded compound is the right pairing for a two-piston Shimano caliper running XC, trail, or moderate-load MTB duty. The compound bites cleanly off the lever, modulates predictably across the lever travel, and runs quiet on dry rotors. Compared to the original-equipment Shimano resin pad, the Sinter compound holds its bite into a wider thermal range; the trail riders who climb hard and descend hard on the same loop will notice the difference late in a ride.

Specs

• Compound: organic (ceramic-loaded, resin-bound)
• Backing plate: steel
• Pad shape: Shimano G-type / L-type (two-piston)
• Pads per package: 2 (one caliper)
• Includes spring and pin

Includes: 2 pads (left and right), spring, pin, bedding-in instructions.

Sinter and Unior, both Slovenian

Sinter makes its friction materials in Ljubljana, on the southern edge of Slovenia's central plain. Unior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and is the official technical partner of multiple World Tour and downhill teams. The two cities sit ninety kilometers apart on the Slovenian map, and both brands ship through Euro Toolworks in North America. The Model 004 is the highest-volume two-piston Shimano pad in the brake-pads collection because the G / L type pocket is in more current Shimano MTB calipers than any other shape.

Pro tip from our mechanics

The G-type and L-type pads share the same external dimensions but differ slightly at the rear of the pad where the spring engages. Both fit the same calipers; Sinter ships the Model 004 with a spring sized to seat against either pad-shape pocket. If your old pad came out with a different spring profile than the one in the new kit, the replacement spring is the one to use; spring tension is what keeps the pad parked away from the rotor between hard braking inputs.

The pad-selection grid that starts with your brake and ends at the right Sinter model is in How to choose Sinter brake pads →.

FAQ

Which brakes does the Sinter Model 004 pad fit? This is the pad for Shimano XTR, XT, and SLX two-piston calipers of the G and L type. Shimano runs several pad shapes across its lineup, so the surest way to order right is to remove your current pad and match the backing-plate outline, the tab, and the retaining-pin hole, or read the model number stamped on the old pad. If your caliper is a four-piston unit, this is not the right shape. Unsure which one you have? Send a photo of the worn pad and we can confirm.

Are these organic or sintered pads? They are organic, despite the Sinter brand name. Sinter only makes organic pads, not sintered-metal ones, and none of their compounds are semi-metallic. Compared with sintered pads, organic compounds run cooler at the caliper and give more lever feedback and modulation. One thing worth knowing: the Black s550 compound blends in ceramic particles for a soft, controlled bite and strong wear resistance, so the four colors aren't just cosmetic, each is a different organic recipe tuned for a different rider.

Do I need to bed in new pads before riding? Yes. Bedding in transfers a thin, even layer of pad material onto the rotor so you get full, consistent power and avoid noise. Find a safe stretch of road or trail, get up to a moderate speed, then brake firmly down to walking pace without fully locking the wheel. Repeat that around 20 to 30 times for each brake, letting the brakes cool between efforts and not dragging the lever. Power will keep building over the first few rides.

How do I fit new pads when the old ones are worn down? As the old pads wore, the caliper pistons crept outward to take up the gap, so there isn't enough room for fresh, full-thickness pads. Before fitting the new set, remove the old pads and gently push both pistons fully back into the caliper with a plastic tire lever or a dedicated piston-press tool, working evenly so neither side jams. Once the pistons are reset you can slide the new pads in, refit the spring and pin, then pump the lever a few times to bring the pistons back to the pads.