When should you use organic disc brake pads and when sintered disc brake pads? Organic disc brake pads have very few metal components and the Elvedes versions have a blue coloured ‘back plate’. These brake pads brake more comfortably that the sintered version and, as well as ATBs, are suitable for town bikes and e-bikes. Sintered disc brake pads contain more metal components and the Elvedes versions have a copper coloured back plate. These brake pads are much harder than the organic version and braking is more immediate. Sintered brake pads are used for ATB or Cyclocross bikes on wet and sandy terrains.