Five minutes with Sinter

This piece first appeared in the January edition of BikeBiz magazine – not subscribed? Get a free subscription.

BikeBiz speaks to Bruce Fina, global business development manager at specialist brake pad manufacturer Sinter Brakes.

 

Can you give us a little background on Sinter as a brand and its history?

Sinter was founded in 1969 by two brothers with a vision to specialise in friction solutions and the manufacturing of high-quality brake pads. Based in Slovenia, Europe, we remain a proud family-owned company, producing all our products locally in Europe. With 55 years of experience, we are committed to innovation, backed by our own research and development department. Our expertise covers karting, bicycles, automotive, and industrial friction, offering high-performance products designed for each industry’s unique needs.

We have a long history of innovation and growth in the braking industry. Since developing the first disc brake pads in the former Yugoslavia in 1972, we have been at the forefront of technological advancements. We pioneered asbestos-free brake pads in Europe in 1989, collaborated on global manufacturing projects, and introduced the world’s first MMC composite brake discs in 1998, offering enhanced performance for racing vehicles.

Could you tell us about the Bedding Machine?

The idea to develop the Smart Bedding Machine came from our recognition that many customers and users are not fully aware of the importance of proper bedding-in for brake pads. We noticed that a lot of issues arose from pads not being properly bedded in, which impacted both performance and safety. To address this, we wanted to create a simpler and more efficient way to properly bed in disc brake pads, improving both the braking experience and overall safety of the rider. Through this machine, we aim to educate users on the bedding-in process while making it easier for them to achieve optimal results.

The Sinter Smart Bedding Machine was developed to make the bedding process more mainstream and much easier for workshops. Our goal is to standardize this process and eliminate any chance of improper bedding, ensuring a reliable and consistent result every time. The machine professionally beds in brake pads in under 10 minutes (three minutes per wheel) regardless of weather conditions outside and guides technicians through each step with clear instructions on the display. It offers three modes, developed through extensive testing in our lab, to select the most optimal programs for bedding in based on disc size and caliper type.

There are currently three modes to choose from depending on the rotor size, rotor materials and the brake system. Once the technician chooses the mode the machine runs the user through a step-by-step process that makes bedding virtually foolproof.

We can say for sure that the Bedding Machine results in brakes with a minimum of 40 per cent better braking power than parking lot bedding. Brakes are safe, quiet and consistently powerful from the very first ride when using the Smart Bedding Machine.

What makes the product unique?

What makes our product stand out is our expertise in braking technology. As brake pad manufacturers with years of first-hand experience, we’ve conducted extensive testing both in-house and outside on the tracks, giving us a unique understanding of braking performance. This knowledge has been key to perfecting our machine. After all, when it comes to safety, especially with brake pads, though small and often unnoticed, they play a crucial role in ensuring a rider’s safety.

In addition to our advanced technology, our product offers practical features, such as built-in stop/start functionality, and the ability to change the roller rotation with a simple wave of your foot past the touch-less sensor, making the process simpler and even more user-friendly.

How does it benefit retailers?

The Sinter Smart Bedding Machine helps speed up the new pad service and bike assembly process. Not only does it produce brake pads that outperform parking lot-bedded pads by more than 20 per cent, but its quick processing time also saves valuable time and money. Regardless of weather conditions, whether it’s rain, snow, or heat, technicians can bed in pads in just a few minutes. By significantly reducing the time spent on bedding-in pads, retailers can use fewer labour hours, allowing them to focus efforts on other tasks and speeding up the workflow. Additionally, the machine ensures a high-quality, consistent level of finished products for consumers with quieter braking and more even pad surfaces that improve wear and performance. For retailers, this translates to fewer returns, happier customers and peace of mind that you are offering a service that stands out. Also, with the rise of e-bikes and their increased braking demands, properly bedded-in pads are more essential than ever to meet the needs of today’s riders.

We have also seen professional cycling teams benefit greatly from our Smart Bedding Machine during races like the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and UCI World Cups. In these high-stakes events, where every minute matters, having bikes ready with properly bedded-in brake pads in just a few minutes has proven to be a game-changer. The machine’s efficiency supports quick repairs and maintenance, allowing mechanics to maintain a smooth workflow.

What sort of feedback have you received from the industry?

The response from the industry has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re thrilled with both the strong demand and the impressive sales results. Workshops worldwide are sharing their satisfaction, highlighting how much easier and faster the bedding-in process has become. They love the versatility of the machine, particularly the different modes tailored for various calliper and disc configurations. Thanks to valuable user feedback and extensive testing, we’ve fine-tuned several features, including a more intuitive display and even quieter operation, ensuring the machine is as efficient and user-friendly as possible. The results speak for themselves, and we couldn’t be more excited that the Smart Bedding Machine is quickly becoming a necessary part of workshops.

What are the brand’s plans for 2025?

In 2025, we plan to improve the user experience of our Smart Bedding Machine by developing an app that will make the bedding-in process simpler and more advanced. We are also making great strides towards sustainability. In 2024, we switched to fully recyclable packaging with zero plastic, and we aim to continue improving sustainability across all our products. Additionally, we are working to optimise our manufacturing facility, reduce waste and minimise our environmental impact.