Are sintered metal brake pads on mountain bikes just a marketing gimmick or do they genuinely offer a tangible performance advantage? It seems like every high-end MTB is specced with these pads, but is it just a case of manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon or are there real benefits to be had? Ive heard claims of improved heat dissipation, better modulation, and increased durability, but is this just hype or can sintered metal pads really deliver? And if so, are the benefits significant enough to justify the increased cost and complexity compared to organic or semi-metallic pads? Can anyone whos actually put in the miles on sintered metal pads chime in and share their real-world experiences?