Aluminum cooling fins rising from the backing plate distinguish the EXOTherm2 from conventional disc brake pads. SwissStop built these fins directly into the pad structure to pull heat away from the braking surface and radiate it into the airflow passing through your caliper. The cooling effect keeps temperatures lower in the pistons, pads, and rotors during sustained braking, which directly addresses brake fade on long descents where heat buildup typically causes stopping power to diminish progressively. The finned design also extends the service life of your caliper seals and brake fluid by reducing the thermal stress that accelerates wear on these components. Mountain bikers have used finned pads for years on demanding terrain, and the EXOTherm2 brings that same heat management approach to road and gravel applications.

The organic compound paired with this finned backplate prioritizes durability and modulation. SwissStop rates the EXOTherm2 at 10 out of 10 for both longevity and heat tolerance, their highest marks in those categories. The compound wears slowly compared to OEM pads while delivering smooth, consistent lever feel that makes it easy to meter braking force precisely. Initial bite lands at 7 out of 10, trading some immediate grab for the controlled, progressive engagement that helps you avoid locking wheels on loose surfaces or in wet conditions. This combination of extended service life and fade resistance makes the EXOTherm2 well-suited for riders who rack up significant vertical on a regular basis or anyone tired of replacing pads frequently.

The aluminum backing plate contributes to a lightweight design at roughly 22 grams per pair. SwissStop offers the EXOTherm2 compound in multiple pad shapes to fit current road disc calipers from Shimano and SRAM. The Disc 34 shape covers Shimano road calipers from Dura-Ace through Tiagra, plus GRX gravel brakes. The Disc 35 shape fits SRAM's second-generation two-piece road calipers used on Red AXS, Force AXS, and Rival AXS groupsets, along with Level mountain brakes from 2020 onward. Both shapes carry e-bike approval for use on higher-torque pedal-assist systems where increased speeds and heavier bike weights put additional demands on braking components. Each set requires proper bed-in procedure to transfer compound material to the rotor surface before the pads achieve full performance, and SwissStop provides specific instructions for this break-in process.