Why Is the Shimano R55C4 the Standard Road Brake Pad?

The Shimano R55C4 is the current-generation road brake shoe for aluminum rims and the OEM pad spec across Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, and compatible Shimano road caliper families. The updated R55C4 compound improves on the R55C3 with better wet weather braking performance and a longer-lasting friction material, making it the recommended choice for any rider maintaining a Shimano road rim brake caliper. The cartridge-type design slots directly into existing R55 shoe holders already mounted on your calipers, so swapping pads requires no tools beyond a 1mm hex wrench and takes less than five minutes.

Compatible caliper families span the full range of Shimano R55 shoe systems: Dura-Ace 7900, 9000, and R9100 series, Ultegra 6700, 6800, and R8000, 105 5700, 5800, and R7000, and the wider road caliper lineup through Tiagra, Sora, and Claris that accept R55 cartridge inserts. Each package includes one pair of R55C4 brake pads. The R55C4 is strictly for aluminum rim braking surfaces -- use the R55C4 carbon-specific version for carbon rims. For everyday training, racing, and commuting on aluminum-rimmed road wheels with Shimano rim brakes, this is the pad to stock.