Velotech Confirms Performance of Shimano's Ice Disc Brake Technology

NUNSPEET, the Netherlands – A dispute that occurred last year on testing methods of Shimano’s new disc brakes that have ‘Ice Technologies’, made Shimano decide to consult Velotech. This independent and renowned German institute tested all Shimano XTR disc brakes and published the results yesterday.

Velotech tested the Cross-Country as well as the Trail version of the new XTR with different rotor-sizes and compared them to the Shimano Saint brakes as well as with two other high-end brands that are regularly included in the usual magazine- tests.

Velotech concluded in its report that all tested new Shimano XTR disc brake models/rotor sizes/pad combinations have exceeded Velotech's firm disc brake standards, as well as the DIN EN 14766 and GS standards. Velotech also states that the Ice-Tech brakes do withstand testing even under conditions that are three times as hard as required by DIN+.

Click here for the details of the test results for the tested brake-models in the original “Velotech.de” certificates and test reports

About Ice Technologies

Since in any brake system there is a direct relation between the generated kinetic energy (for brake power) and thermal energy (generated heat), Shimano has focused on the management of the system temperature. Lowering the temperature contributes to avoid negative effects on braking performance, as a result Shimano claims that Ice Technologies brake systems have practically zero brake fading in normal usage, it increases the pad-durability up to 100% and reduces noise substantially.

According to Shimano this technology basically consists of two elements. First of all, the rotors have a 3-layer sandwich structure of an aluminum core and two stainless steel outer layers; due to the higher heat dissipation of aluminum it reduces the rotor surface temperature with around 100 degrees. Secondly, the Ice Technologies brake pads that are recommended for trail riding feature aluminum cooling fins that can further improve the heat dissipation and reduce the brake-pad surface temperature by another 50 degrees.