What SwissStop does

SwissStop (legal entity Borflex Rex SA) is a Swiss manufacturer of high-performance bicycle brake components headquartered in Mendrisio, Switzerland, with roots in rubber compound formulation dating to the 1950s. The company designs, develops, and produces disc brake pads, rim brake pads, and the Catalyst family of disc brake rotors, serving cyclists across road, mountain bike, gravel, e-bike, and traditional rim-brake disciplines, from recreational riders to professional racing teams.

The product portfolio is built around proprietary compound chemistry developed and tested in an in-house laboratory using third-generation proprietary test equipment capable of evaluating rim and disc brake systems up to 60 km/h. The disc pad range spans four compounds (Disc RS for race, Disc E for endurance, Disc C for smooth power, and EXOTherm2 with a cooling-fin back plate for maximum pad life) offered in pad shapes tailored to Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Campagnolo, TRP, Tektro, and FSA calipers. The Catalyst rotor platform is tiered into Catalyst ONE (entry-level), Catalyst Pro (all-mountain, 140-220mm, 6-bolt and Centerlock), and Catalyst Race (UCI-approved lightweight). Rim brake compounds include Yellow King and Black Prince for carbon rims and BXP, Original Black, and Grey Economy for alloy rims. Supporting accessories cover cleaning, adapters, lockrings, an e-bike sensor magnet, and an alloy-rim cleaning block. Production is automated with robotic equipment, ISO 9001 certified since 1990, and supported by an EDP-backed quality system.

SwissStop operates a pure channel-partner go-to-market model, selling exclusively through authorized dealers and cycling retailers worldwide with no direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Marketing is driven by professional team and athlete sponsorships (including UCI Continental and Pro road, MTB, cyclocross, and gravel teams), cycling trade show presence across Europe and North America, editorial coverage in outlets such as bikeradar.com and road.cc, and an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Strava. Strategic OEM co-development partnerships with carbon wheel manufacturers (Zipp, Lightweight, Xentis, Mavic, DT Swiss, Specialized/Roval, Easton, Vision, FFWD, 3T, Ambrosio, Ursus, Tune, Spinergy) and brake system makers (SRAM, FSA) underpin the product roadmap and ecosystem positioning. The PAIR & Fair sustainability initiative bundles pads in 100% FSC-certified paper packaging and funds everwave river-cleanup operations.

Name

SwissStop

Legal name

Borflex Rex SA

Website

https://swissstop.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SwissStop (Borflex Rex SA) is a Swiss manufacturer of high-performance bicycle brake components, including disc brake pads, rim pads, and Catalyst disc rotors. Leveraging rubber compound expertise from the 1950s, it serves road, MTB, gravel, and e-bike cyclists through global authorized dealer networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mendrisio

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Bicycle Brake Components: SwissStop generates revenue primarily through the sale of bicycle brake components including disc brake pads, rim brake pads, and disc rotors. Products are sold through authorized dealer networks and cycling retailers globally. The company offers multiple compound options across price/performance tiers for different cycling applications from road to MTB to e-bike.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SwissStop manufactures and sells high-performance bicycle brake components, primarily disc brake pads, rim brake pads, and disc brake rotors. The company develops proprietary rubber compound formulations in-house (origins dating to the 1950s) and produces disc rotors (Catalyst ONE, Pro, and Race families) for road, mountain bike, gravel, cyclocross, and e-bike applications. Products are sold exclusively through an authorized global dealer network of bike shops and specialized cycling retailers.

Product overview

SwissStop is a Swiss manufacturer of high-performance bicycle brake components headquartered in Mendrisio, Switzerland. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio centered on brake pads and disc brake rotors, with origins dating back to the 1950s in rubber compound formulations. The product lineup includes four disc brake pad compounds (Disc RS for race performance, Disc E for high endurance, Disc C for smooth power, and EXOTherm2 for maximum pad life), available in multiple pad models (Disc 15-36) compatible with Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Campagnolo, TRP, and Tektro brake calipers. The Catalyst rotor family spans three tiers: Catalyst ONE for entry-level riders, Catalyst Pro for all-mountain use (140-220mm, Centerlock and 6-bolt), and Catalyst Race for lightweight UCI-approved competition rotors. Rim brake compounds include Yellow King and Black Prince for carbon wheels, and Original Black, BXP, and Grey Economy for alloy wheels. Accessories include cleaning products (Disc Brake Power Clean, Wipes), maintenance tools (Centerlock Adapters, Lockrings, Poliergummi), and e-Bike speed sensor magnets. The company operates with ISO 9001 certification and has implemented the Pair & Fair sustainable packaging initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disc RS Brake Pads Race-ready organic disc brake pad compound offering powerful, progressive, silent braking with maximum initial bite in all conditions (dry, wet, snow). Available in multiple caliper-specific pad models (Disc 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36 RS) compatible with Shimano, SRAM, Magura, Campagnolo, FSA, TRP, and Tektro brake systems.
• Disc E Brake Pads High endurance organic disc brake pad compound with easy modulation of braking force, high temperature stability, and rotor-friendly low-noise formula. Designed for riders prioritizing pad and rotor longevity.
• Disc C Brake Pads Smooth power delivery disc brake pad compound with low noise, suitable for everyday riding applications.
• EXOTherm2 Brake Pads Maximum pad life disc brake pad compound featuring a cooling fin-equipped back plate for consistent, powerful braking and much lower pad wear rate than competitors. Combines durable, easy-to-modulate compound with superior heat management.
• Catalyst Pro Disc Rotors Versatile disc brake rotor family for all-mountain and trail riding with two-piece aluminum spider construction reducing weight and improving warp resistance. Available in 140-220mm diameters with Centerlock and 6-bolt mount options, featuring wear-out indicators and rounded perimeter edges.
• Catalyst Race Disc Rotors Lightweight UCI-approved race disc brake rotors for competitive cycling. Available in 140-160mm Centerlock configurations with 1.80mm brake ring thickness. Designed for road and gravel competition use.
• Catalyst ONE Disc Rotors Entry-level disc brake rotor family for weekend warriors and casual riders, providing reliable braking for everyday cycling and gravel adventures.
• Yellow King Rim Brake Pads High-performance brake pad compound specifically designed for carbon fiber rims, offering excellent modulation and heat resistance for carbon braking surfaces.
• Black Prince Rim Brake Pads Carbon rim brake pad compound offering excellent modulation and power for carbon fiber wheels. Available in FlashPro and Flash EVO variants.
• BXP Rim Brake Pads High-performance brake pad compound for alloy wheels, offering superior wet and dry performance with great modulation. Used as the designated compound for DT Swiss OXiC alloy wheels.
• Original Black Rim Brake Pads Standard brake pad compound for alloy rims providing smooth, rim-friendly braking suitable for everyday cycling.
• Grey Economy Rim Brake Pads Economy brake pad compound for alloy wheels offering reliable braking at a lower price point.
• Disc Brake Power Clean Cleaning solution for disc brake systems that removes brake dust, oil, and contaminants to restore braking performance.
• Disc Brake Power Clean Wipes Pre-moistened wipes for quick cleaning of disc brake rotors and pads, providing a convenient portable option for on-trail brake maintenance.
• Disc Brake Silencer Accessory designed to reduce brake noise and eliminate squeaking in disc brake systems.
• Centerlock Adapter Adapter allowing 6-bolt disc rotors to be mounted on Centerlock hubs, enabling compatibility between different brake mount standards.
• Centerlock Lockrings Centerlock lockrings compatible with disc rotors up to 160mm or 220mm diameter, depending on variant. Required hardware for Centerlock rotor mounting.
• e-Bike Magnet Speed sensor magnet for e-bikes designed to mount on compatible Catalyst disc brake rotors, requiring minimum 4mm clearance from speed sensor.
• Poliergummi Cleaning block (34x20x8.5mm) for alloy rims used to clean and restore braking surfaces on alloy wheel rims.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pad wear rate much lower than competitors with EXOTherm2 compound
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MaviccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMavic is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops exclusive brake pad compounds for Mavic carbon wheels including Mavic CCU and Mavic Exalith 2 rims.
• DT SwisscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDT Swiss is listed as both carbon wheel and alloy wheel partner. SwissStop develops products compatible with DT Swiss OXiC alloy wheels (using BXP compound) and DT Swiss carbon wheels.
• SRAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRAM is listed as a brake caliper partner. SwissStop develops disc brake pads specifically designed for SRAM brake calipers including RED AXS, Force AXS, Rival AXS, Apex AXS, Level, Code, Guide, and Avid Elixir systems.
• ZippcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZipp is listed as an exclusive compound partner. SwissStop develops exclusive brake pad compounds for Zipp carbon wheels.
• Specialized / RovalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized/Roval is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with Specialized/Roval carbon wheel systems.
• LightweightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLightweight is listed as an exclusive compound partner. SwissStop develops exclusive brake pad compounds for Lightweight carbon wheels.
• XentiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerXentis is listed as an exclusive compound partner. SwissStop develops exclusive brake pad compounds for Xentis carbon wheels.
• EastoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEaston is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with Easton carbon wheels.
• VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVision is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with Vision carbon wheel systems.
• FFWDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFWD (Fast Forward Wheels) is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with FFWD carbon wheels.
• 3TcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner3T is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with 3T carbon cycling components.
• FSA (Full Speed Ahead)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSA is listed as a brake caliper partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with FSA brake systems.
• AmbrosiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbrosio is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with Ambrosio carbon wheels.
• UrsuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrsus is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with Ursus carbon wheels.
• TunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTune is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with Tune carbon wheels.
• SpinergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpinergy is listed as a carbon wheel partner. SwissStop develops brake pads compatible with Spinergy carbon wheels.
• everwavecoreGTM or Marketing Partnereverwave is SwissStop's environmental partnership through the PAIR & Fair program. everwave cleans plastic and waste from rivers worldwide using garbage boats and AI. SwissStop donates to support this initiative with each PAIR & Fair product sold. To date, everwave has collected over 1.6 million kilograms of waste from rivers.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TRP (Tektro): Tektro's TRP sub-brand produces high-end disc brake calipers (HD-T910, Quadiem) and aftermarket pads. SwissStop makes pads for TRP calipers, positioning TRP as both a partner and a competing pad/rotor brand.
• Galfer: Spanish manufacturer of disc brake rotors and pads for bicycles, motorcycles, and automotive applications. Directly comparable in disc rotor technology and aftermarket pad/rotor product structure, serving the same cycling and powersports channels.
• Alligator International: Asian manufacturer of bicycle disc brake rotors, pads, and cables, with a broad OEM and aftermarket presence. Comparable product line and channels to SwissStop, though positioned more on volume/value than premium specialist niche.
• Magura: German manufacturer of hydraulic disc brake systems and components for bicycles and motorcycles. SwissStop produces disc pads (Disc 30 RS) specifically for Magura MT calipers, making Magura both a partner and a direct competitor in pad formulation.
• Ashima AI Neox: Taiwanese specialist in bicycle disc brake rotors with proprietary designs and floating rotor technology. Comparable as a performance rotor brand targeting the same premium road, MTB, and e-bike segments that SwissStop serves.
• Hope Technology: UK-based specialist in bicycle disc brakes, rotors, and pads, with a strong premium/pro cycling brand. Closely comparable as an independent brake specialist serving road, MTB, and gravel riders with proprietary compounds and rotors.
• Kool-Stop: US-based specialist in bicycle brake pads (rim and disc) with a long heritage and a comparable product positioning. One of the most direct aftermarket competitors to SwissStop in the bicycle pad category, especially in rim brake compounds.

Broad incumbents

• Shimano: Global leader in cycling groupsets and a major producer of disc brake calipers (XTR, XT, SLX, Dura-Ace, Ultegra) for which SwissStop develops compatible aftermarket pads. Overlaps with SwissStop in pad/rotor supply, but as part of a much broader drivetrain and components portfolio.
• SRAM: US-based cycling components giant whose brake calipers (RED AXS, Force AXS, Rival AXS, Code, Guide, Maven) are major fitment platforms for SwissStop disc pads. Directly comparable brake systems, but SRAM also offers pads and rotors as part of its consumables ecosystem.
• Campagnolo: Italian premium cycling groupset maker whose hydraulic disc brake systems (e.g., EKAR) use SwissStop pads (Disc 30 RS). Comparable as a premium brake ecosystem, but Campagnolo operates across the full groupset, wheels, and components stack.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SwissStop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swissstop
• Instagraminstagram.com/swissstopofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SwissStop