The most important facts in brief

The aim of developing the Catalyst Pro brake disc was to enable consistent braking performance over the long term without the disc overheating and fading. In collaboration with the OST - Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, comprehensive technical simulations and laboratory tests were carried out and the prototypes were then put through their paces in the field. An elaborate process that produced some interesting details - for example the wear indicator. Three small holes on each side of the rotor indicate when the brake disk should be replaced. Once the holes have "worn down" and are no longer visible, the disc has reached the end of its life. The rounded edge of the discs makes it easier to install the wheel, allowing it to slide past the pads more easily.

With the Disc-RS brake pads, the focus was on powerful braking performance and low-noise use. The organic material mix is also intended to allow sensitive metering of the braking force. The pads are manufactured in Mendrisio

First impression

The Swissstop products look very similar to those of other manufacturers. Only the bright yellow base plate of the pads catches the eye. Installation is as usual and without any problems. The only annoying thing is that the Swissstop locking screw requires a different Allen key size. However, you can confidently reuse the manufacturer's original part.

In use

The Swissstop combos had to undergo a comparison test with original Shimano products (Deore XT and XTR) on a 4-piston SLX brake on the Biel Trail. After a short break-in period, the Ticino brakes scored with good modulation and very high maximum force. If you are ever forced to make an emergency emergency stop, you will be surprised by the short braking distance.
However, you need a little more strength in your hands than usual. The Shimano rotors and pads can be combined well with the Swiss and result in an improvement in performance. However, the Swissstop products work best on their own.

After a few thousand Elevation losses, the brake discs show a strong discoloration. The braking performance remains high as usual and there are no other signs of wear. According to Swissstop, these tempering colors are normal and have no influence on performance. The steel discolors depending on how hot it is, and the color shows how hot the metal has become. As Swissstop uses a particularly hard steel for the disk, a little more manual force is required. Friction is slightly higher than usual. On the other hand, the disc always runs nicely centered and does not warp.

Conclusion

The Ticino combo has proven itself over the months and has not let up even on rainy days. Except that it squeaks slightly from time to time in high humidity - fortunately not annoyingly loud. In addition, both parts show reduced wear and tear. The repeated "endurance test" - around 1000 Elevation loss downhill without a break - in the Pila bike park and the surrounding area was mastered without any fading. Our own legs had more trouble than the brakes. The combination of the "Swissstop Catalyst Pro" brake rotor and the Disc-RS pads deserves the rating "careful, snappy".

Recommendation

It is not absolutely necessary to use Swissstop pads and rotors to improve braking performance. The Swiss products can be easily combined with the original parts. Although the braking performance is lower than with a pure Swissstop combination, it is still noticeably better than with the pure original parts.

Price pads: CHF 33.90
Disc price (180 mm, Centerlock): CHF 67.00

Manufacturer

www.swissstop.ch