160 vs 180 rotor size for 150 lb rider on 29r wheels?

[jubebug]

Looking for advice on 160 vs 180 rotor for front wheel. I am 150 lbs riding a light full suspension bike with Stans No Tubes Crest 29er wheels (a pretty light wheelset) and XTR brakes. Here in Utah we have lots of steep downhills. 160s have always been fine on 26 inch wheels for me, but I'm wondering if I should go up a size. I need new rotors anyway.

[Clones123]

Tough call - I'm 225 lbs on XT brakes and running 203F/180R on a trail bike. If I had it to do over again, I'd have stuck with the stock 180F/180R configuration. On the other hand, when I'm going downhill with 60 lbs of trail-a-bike and kid attached to my seat post, the extra power doesn't hurt. It's just that without the trail-a-bike I've put myself on my head a few times.

Ultimately, I'd rather learn how to stop better with smaller brakes than be learning how to crash better doing endo's - LOL.

[jubebug]

Thanks Clones123. I decided to go with Avid G3 Cleansweep rotors in 165 rear and 185 in front. I'll have to be careful for a while I suspect.

[mopartodd]

That's alot of stopping power for only 150 lbs with Hydraulic brakes. I'm 220 and run 180/165 with mechanicals....but you may be alot faster than me too.

[bing!]

Im 160 and i run 185 mm all around. Not only does larger provide more power, it also gives better modulation.

[SCR818]

Thanks Clones123. I decided to go with Avid G3 Cleansweep rotors in 165 rear and 185 in front. I'll have to be careful for a while I suspect.

Perfect choice!

[jubebug]

Update: When my show was building up my bike, they didn't have a 180 rotor for the front, so they put a 160 on it and said I could switch out later if I wanted. I did initially notice that I had less stopping power than on my old 26" bike, but now that I am used to it, I have no issues. Saved some weight too. I think the 180 would have felt nice, but it is unnecessary.