Sinter Model 042 Magura Gustav

The Magura Gustav M is one of the legends of early disc-brake history; a 4-piston hydraulic caliper introduced in 1999 for tandem and heavy-duty use, with a footprint and stopping torque that stayed in production well into the 2010s and is still in active service on a meaningful share of tandems, cargo bikes, and heritage MTB builds. The Sinter Model 042 is the organic-compound replacement pad for the Gustav, keeping the Slovenian friction matrix on a brake the OE supply chain often can't.

What's in the kit

One caliper's worth of pads (2 pads, left and right) for the Magura Gustav M four-piston pocket. The kit ships with bedding-in instructions. Order two kits if you're replacing front and rear pads on the same service.

Fits

Magura Gustav M pad shape:

• Magura Gustav (the M variant; the dominant generation in active service)

The Gustav M shares no pad geometry with the current MT-series calipers; if your Magura is a current MT2 / MT4 / MT5 / MT6 / MT7 / MT8, the Sinter pad you need is Model 009 (MT 2-piston) or Model 012 / 021 (MT 4-piston), not the Model 042.

Compound and feel

Sinter's organic ceramic-loaded compound delivers the modulation a heavy-duty hydraulic brake demands. The Gustav M is most often on tandems, cargo bikes, and adventure-touring builds where the rider is asking the brake to control significant gross weight at sustained moderate pressure; exactly the pattern organic-matrix compound was designed for. The resin matrix bites predictably, modulates linearly, and stays quiet on dry rotors. The Gustav's larger pad area means each pad lasts longer per mile than a smaller-caliper pad would, so the Model 042 install interval is generous.

Specs

• Compound: organic (ceramic-loaded, resin-bound)
• Backing plate: steel
• Pad shape: Magura Gustav M four-piston
• Pads per package: 2 (one caliper)

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

Ljubljana since 1969, distributed by Euro Toolworks

Sinter has been making friction materials in Ljubljana since 1969, and developed the first disc brake pads in the former Yugoslavia in 1972. The Slovenian plant supplies organic-compound pads to motorcycle OEMs and the bicycle aftermarket. The Gustav M's installed base is small but loyal; the Model 042 is the Sinter catalog's commitment to the long-tail customer base who's still riding a 2008-vintage tandem or a workshop's electric cargo build with the Gustav still in service. Unior has been forging hand tools in Zreče since 1919, and is the official technical partner of multiple World Tour and downhill teams. Euro Toolworks is the importer behind both Slovenian brands in North America.

Pro tip from our mechanics

The Gustav M's pad-retention pin is shop-friendly to remove but a touch fragile after twenty years of seasonal service: tap it out gently with a small punch rather than levering it with a pliers, because a bent pin won't seat correctly with fresh Sinter pads and produces uneven pad-to-rotor contact. If the pin shows wear or distortion, replace it before installing the new pads.

For the broader compound primer and fitment grid, see How to choose Sinter brake pads →.

FAQ

Which brakes does the Sinter Model 042 pad fit? This pad is made for Magura Gustav and Gustav Pro calipers. Even within Magura the pad shapes differ from model to model, so the dependable step is to remove a worn pad and match the backing plate, mounting tab, and pin hole to this one rather than relying on the name alone. A model number stamped on the old pad is a useful confirmation if present. When in doubt, send us a clear photo of the worn pad and we'll verify the fit before you buy.

Are these sintered-metal pads? No. Despite the brand name, Sinter only make organic brake pads, not sintered-metal. Organic compounds run cooler at the caliper, give more lever feel and modulation, stay quieter, and cause less rotor wear and vibration than metal pads.

How do I reset the caliper so the new pads fit? As the old pads wore down, the Gustav's pistons advanced to take up the gap, so there won't be room for fresh, full-thickness pads. Remove the old pads, then gently push all four pistons back into the caliper bores with a plastic tire lever or a dedicated piston-press tool before fitting the new pads. Avoid pulling the lever while the pads are out.

Do I need to bed in the new pads? Yes. New pads need bedding in to transfer an even layer of pad material onto the rotor and reach full power. Find a safe, flat stretch of road, bring the bike up to a moderate speed, and brake firmly to nearly walking pace several times without coming to a full stop. The bite will feel weak at first and strengthen as the surfaces mate.