Disc Brake pads - fins or no fins?

[tylercheung]

Just wondering - the Shimano ultegra and dura ace disc brake calipers come w/ finned pads, but thar be write ups on the internet that prefer non-finned pads as they "rattle less". Is there a preference for one vs the other? Do the pads really heat up w/ no fins?

[Joxster]

Do you live in a hot and mountianous area where you have to brake a lot? If yes then the fins help with heat dissapation. How many pads do you go through a year?

[dem]

I'm the resident disc brake destroyer (~800 miles pads, ~2000 miles rotors)

I've found no difference between finned and no-fin. I'm currently using http://discobrakes.com pads ($8 pair in four packs)

I don't doubt Shimano that the fins do something, just that I can't tell. :)

I continue to experiment with various combinations - currently trying a 180 mm front SLX rotor.

[tylercheung]

SoCal, so sort of mountainy, and 90 deg in July/Aug...so maybe to keep them on then...

[Jaybee]

None of my disc brake pads rattle, finned or not, regardless of terrain and riding surface?

Get whatever you want.

[Davist]

I've had both, didn't notice a difference, with Ultegra I replace with Ultegra so finned, I guess.. they're $18 or something 1x or 2x a year, nbd.. Fins do look the business, though.

[John H.]

I have always replaced with non-finned as they are slightly less expensive.
Never noticed a difference in performance.