ABOUT THE ABSOLUTEBLACK GRAPHENPADS
absoluteBLACK is a British company best known in the MTB world for their oval chainrings, but they’ve quietly been pushing boundaries in other areas too. The GRAPHENpads represent their take on what a brake pad should be, and they’ve thrown out the rulebook to get there.
Gone is the copper-based friction compound found in most pads on the market. In its place is a ceramic organic compound infused with specially modified graphene, a material prized for its thermal conductivity and lubricating properties at the molecular level. The backplate gets the same treatment, with a graphene-based thermal coating and redesigned cooling fins engineered to pull heat away from the rotor and caliper faster than conventional designs.
The result earned absoluteBLACK the prestigious IF Design Award in 2023 — not a bad endorsement for a brake pad. Compatibility is broad, covering most modern disc brake systems across Shimano, SRAM, Tektro, and Magura. Check the absoluteBLACK website to confirm your specific caliper. Each set comes packaged in a reusable aluminum can — a small but thoughtful touch that fits the premium positioning of the product. The retail price is decidedly premium, too, coming in at $49.99 per end.
THE DIRT
I’ve been running the absoluteBLACK GRAPHENpads in my Ari La Sal Peak with Shimano Saints for just over two months on the mixed trails around Napa, California, and the experience has been equal parts impressive and humbling.
Installation is straightforward — they drop in just like the stock brake pads. I took the time to thoroughly clean my rotors and calipers before fitting them, and followed the included bedding-in process to the letter. No drama, no fuss.
On the trail, the first thing you notice coming from Shimano Saints is the power delivery. Saints are notorious for their on/off, light-switch feel — grab the lever and things happen fast. The GRAPHENpads smooth all of that out into a progressive, controlled arc of braking force, and it is genuinely impressive. The modulation is the best I’ve experienced on these brakes. Increased control of braking power in loose terrain was much appreciated in many instances.
However, that smoothness comes at a cost — outright stopping power is noticeably reduced compared to the stock Shimano pads. Noticeably enough that I overshot two corners during my testing period, coming in way too hot and nearly paying the price. For context, I’m 6’4” and 245 pounds (192cm / 110kg), so when the trail gets steep and fast, I’ve got more momentum to scrub than the average rider. There were moments where I simply wanted more bite than the GRAPHENpads had to offer.
That said, here’s the twist — the reduced power and excellent modulation have actually made me a faster rider overall. With the stock pads, I’d grab a handful of lever, scrub too much speed, and lose momentum I couldn’t get back. The absoluteBLACK GRAPHENpads force a more measured approach to braking, and I found myself carrying more speed into and through corners as a result. Make of that what you will. Given that the primary market for absoluteBLACK is the gram-counting, tight clothes wearing section of our sport, it makes sense that maximum power isn’t the top priority.
Consistency has been rock solid across two months of mixed conditions. The absoluteBLACK brake pads have been quiet, predictable, and unchanged from the day they were installed. Where lesser pads start to fade and feel spongy, these stayed consistent and predictable all the way to the bottom. No fade, no noise, no surprises. If that kind of reliability matters to your riding, these deliver. But you have to pay the price for the privilege, with their eye-watering $49.99 price tag per brake.
The Wolf’s Last Word
The absoluteBLACK GRAPHENpads are a genuinely well-engineered product that does exactly what it promises — smooth, consistent, progressive braking with excellent modulation, zero noise, and heat management that keeps the feel identical from the top of the hill to the bottom. If your current brakes feel like an on/off switch and that’s been driving you crazy, these pads are worth serious consideration. For lighter riders or anyone who prioritizes feel and control over raw stopping power, the GRAPHENpads could be a game changer.
For my riding style, I’ll take raw power over silky modulation when I’ve got 245 pounds to stop on a steep Napa descent. But if your brakes are too grabby and you’re chasing feel over force, these might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. 
Price: $49.99 / set
Website: Absoluteblack.cc
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