10 Best Bike Brakes UK 2024 | Shimano, Clarks and More

Coming complete with levers, front and rear calipers and a full set of cables, the Clarks V-Brake Set is an affordable way to upgrade your bike's brakes. Made from a lightweight alloy construction, these are compatible with most mountain and road bikes.

Everything you need is included in the box, meaning you won't need any specialist bike tools, and it's easy to fit. If you're looking to replace or improve your whole set-up, this V-Brake Set from Clarks is the best way to go!

Shimano is a name familiar to most cyclists as they're the world's leading manufacturer of cycling parts and components, founded in 1921. You can be confident that these disc brake pads are of the highest quality.

These resin pads are steel-backed, meaning they're completely weatherproof and have incredible stopping power. If you have disc breaks, it's well worth investing in these long-lasting and reliable brake pads from one of the best brands in the world.

The Elite MTB/Hybrid Brake Pads from Clarks feature a triple contour design that allows for more effective braking in wet and muddy conditions - a common problem here in the UK! If you've noticed your current brakes aren't ideal in the rain, switching to these pads could legitimately be a lifesaver.

The water and dirt dissipation grooves make these V-brake pads great for both off-road conditions and those who cycle all year round as their primary form of transportation. For those on the smaller 50 mm pads, swapping to these 72 mm brakes will make a big difference to your stopping power.

Whether your bike came with V-brakes and you're looking for more stopping power at the back, or you're thinking of adding another disc brake to the front wheel, this Cable Activated Disc Brake Kit is a great way to go. It also comes with a two-year warranty for some added peace of mind.

The box has everything you need to fit a disc brake, plus it also comes with a V-brake with pads, meaning you can replace both brakes with new options simultaneously. It also comes with adapters to make swapping everything over as simple as possible.

This set of Front & Rear Hydraulic Brakes is the perfect option for breathing some life into an old mountain bike that you want to take off-road but may not feel safe doing so. Customers have reported these will comfortably fit on bikes that are almost twenty years old!

Clarks have been creating bicycle parts for over sixty years, and their design and test teams are still based in the UK today. They manufacture over one million brake systems every year, making them one of the world's leading brands.

Narrowly missing out on our top five is this bargain set of two brake pads from CZ. These are perfect if you're looking for something cheap and cheerful to replace some worn-down shoes. Simply unscrew your old ones and screw these in!

For casual use or for children's bikes, these are a great option when working on a budget. The quality isn't quite up to the standard of a quality shoe, but that's not to say they're bad by any stretch. If you're a casual cyclist, you won't be able to tell the difference at all. 

The Shimano Deore and Tektro Auriga Pads are made from an organic compound that's suitable for recreational and leisurely use. It delivers the reliable performance you'd expect from Clarks and is effective in all weather conditions.

If you're after some disk brake pads for casual use, these really fit the bill, but we're not sure they'd be suitable for more rigorous off-road action. That said, they represent great value for money, so they are well worth testing whether you're popping to the shops or hitting the trail.

If you're serious about cycling and find yourself racking up the miles on the road, picking up this Brake Shoe Set from Shimano is a great idea. Whether you have a V-brake or disc brake on your back wheel, this makes for a quality option on the front wheel.

While it has low noise and low rim wear, it is one of the more expensive options on our list, which may mean it's a little more of an investment for casual cyclists than necessary. If you're looking for a universal fit with great braking force, though, these are well worth considering.

These Bicycle Disc Brake Pads from Zonon are an excellent pickup for any family who has a couple of children with mountain bikes. Whether you need to replace an old set of brakes or simply want them in a drawer somewhere just in case, these are an absolute steal for the price.

Unfortunately, the quality isn't the best, and many customers say they're not the longest-lasting brakes in the world. However, if you're only going on the occasional ride, these are a solid pickup for you and your kids.

Propping up our rankings is this Brake Shoe Set from Shimano, which is actually a fantastic pair of pads if you're after something to fit an Ultegra caliper. These offer fantastic stopping power if you're after a quality carbon block.

The obvious downside is that they're optimised for Shimano Ultegra calipers, and we wouldn't recommend trying to fit them to anything else. They're also one of the more expensive options, but on the right bike, they're well worth investing in.