203mm upgrade. Compatability? Brand suggestions?

stingray4540 · 3 Weeks Ago

So, after having burned my 160mm brakes a few times and seeing that rotors aren't that expensive, I've decided to upgrade to 203mm rotors front and back.

Before I do though, I want to make sure I don't get something that won't work with my shocks or frame or brakes or whatever.

So can I go to 203mm with this setup? Fox F100RL fork, Shimano M966 XTR brakes, Ringle 1 hubs, and an '05 Santa Cruz Blur XC.

I also need some suggestions on what rotors to get. I'd like to keep it as light weight as possible without being to expensive, and my biggest concern is heat dissipation.

spcarter · 3 Weeks Ago

go to fox's website to see their max suggested rotor size and similarly to santa cruz's site for their suggestion. All else fails email their customer service department.

Bikinfoolferlife · 3 Weeks Ago

With the proper adapter for the larger rotor size, should be no problem with your gear. What interface, 6 bolt or centerlock? You might also consider the inbetween size, 180/185mm.

dogonfr · 3 Weeks Ago

You dont need over 160 in the rear.

stingray4540 · 2 Weeks Ago

It is 6 bolt.

Well according to the '06 manual for fox forks they are good up to 203mm. Is it bad to be right at the limit though?

I figure if I'm going to go bigger why not go the biggest? It can't hurt anything right? Is there a disadvantage of going to 203mm?

You know, I always see people use smaller brakes in the rear, and I've never under stood this as I use my rear brakes more than my front. Not sure if it's because I'm an ex-bmx guy, or that I just don't like that lurching forward feeling if I grab a little too much front brake, but I seem to like my back brake better.

It can't hurt can it? What are the disadvantages of larger rotors?

P.S. What is everyone's opinions on the magura SL rotor, or the aligator rotors? I also need a suggestion on were to get IS adaptors to go from 160mm to whichever size I choose, likely 203mm. It seems like pricepoint doesn't carry them?

Henchman · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingray4540

It can't hurt anything right? ?

Depending on your brakes, going to a bigger rotor can decrease your modulation ability, giving a much more on/off feel.

stingray4540 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henchman

Depending on your brakes, going to a bigger rotor can decrease your modulation ability, giving a much more on/off feel.

Oh, I see. Well, is that known to happen with the xtr m966 brakes? If so, at what point will this happen? Could I at least go to 180mm?

I'd like to go all the way to 203mm if I'm upgrading, but even if I have to go to 180 that should be an improvement. I really need to do something, because with my 160mm rotors, I'm burning up my brakes.

CaveGiant · 2 Weeks Ago

When you get upto 203 the rotors start getting wobbly (so more likely to hit pads during riding) and also get hit more when riding.

The shimano rotor is a cheap way to test to see if you like the pro's more than the con's.

I would advise having 203 back and front, but only if you have the skill to use your rear brake. Most people don't, the pull from my rear brake is enough to throw me onto the bars if not paying attention (that is just with summr tyres, I have freeride fitted now for winter, should be fun).

Don't worry about maximum rotor size. It costs money to test forks for rotor size, most people don't ride above 203, therefore they don't bother to test.

CaveGiant · 2 Weeks Ago

Again modulation is a skill, I ride 220mm fine, but with a formula one brake.

dogonfr · 2 Weeks Ago

http://www.spadout.com/b/Shimano/dis...adapters-misc/

stingray4540 · 2 Weeks Ago

Cavegiant: Wobbly as you are engaging them? or are they just not straight and get a wobble to it that hits the pads when you aren't using the break?

The rear brake will throw you on the bars?! I've never had a problem with that, the front brake is what usually throws me forward.

Dogonfr: Thanks for the link, but it doesn't seem that any of those are what I need? I need to go from 160 to 203 or 180 and both ends need to be IS. Or maybe I just don't understand what it is I need?

matsoki · 2 Weeks Ago

I have 203mm Hope Moto6 thingys......

Love em!

**shiggy** · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingray4540

It is 6 bolt.

Well according to the '06 manual for fox forks they are good up to 203mm. Is it bad to be right at the limit though?

I figure if I'm going to go bigger why not go the biggest? It can't hurt anything right? Is there a disadvantage of going to 203mm?

You know, I always see people use smaller brakes in the rear, and I've never under stood this as I use my rear brakes more than my front. Not sure if it's because I'm an ex-bmx guy, or that I just don't like that lurching forward feeling if I grab a little too much front brake, but I seem to like my back brake better.

It can't hurt can it? What are the disadvantages of larger rotors?

P.S. What is everyone's opinions on the magura SL rotor, or the aligator rotors? I also need a suggestion on were to get IS adaptors to go from 160mm to whichever size I choose, likely 203mm. It seems like pricepoint doesn't carry them?

There is at least part of your problem. You need to learn to use the front brake effectively.

With more front brake use you will actually use both brakes in shorter bursts and the total heat load will drop tremendously.

stingray4540 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiggy

There is at least part of your problem. You need to learn to use the front brake effectively.

With more front brake use you will actually use both brakes in shorter bursts and the total heat load will drop tremendously.

Well, whether or not I use them effectively is up for debate, but I do use them, in fact I think the burning smell is coming from the front brakes.

I tried using short hard braking on my last ride but I still had the same burning smell at the bottom. The trail I like to hit for excersise is a 1000ft. clime over ~4mi. and it's all fireroad with little switchbacks or technical stuff to slow me down, so it takes a lot of brake.

jeffscott · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiggy

There is at least part of your problem. You need to learn to use the front brake effectively.

With more front brake use you will actually use both brakes in shorter bursts and the total heat load will drop tremendously.

Sorry for the same amount of braking heat loads are the same...

So either you are braking so that the heat is more easily disipatted ( short burst higher temps so more heat transfer result less time to heat up the entire pad...)

Or you are braking so that you don't require as much braking ie at better places on the downhills and letting it roll when possible.

Both work well, we take neewbies out to a particular run, they always heat up the brakes, we don't....really opens their eyes.

archer · 2 Weeks Ago

The heat generated should be the same.
All other things being equal the heat sink is bigger with a bigger rotor, more mass, more surface area to radiate it to the environment.

stingray4540 · 2 Weeks Ago

Ok, well, since we are on the topic of heat and heat dissipation, does anyone have any brand/model suggestions for rotors? Regardless if I go with 180mm or 203mm?

What are the cheapest rotors that perform the best? Best heat dissipation, and little to no brake fade on long downhills? Can this be had for ~$30 or less per rotor?

archer · 2 Weeks Ago

Cheapest are probably Alligators, Price point has them for as little as maybe $14 up to $20 or $25 depending on size and style I'm not sure where they max out.
Avid doesn't make 180s but 185s.
Fade is probably going to be a product of a bunch of factors of which the rotor may not be the driver.

Most name brand rotors seem to start at about $30-35 and go up depending on where you are looking, the brand and the size.
That's mail order/ internet. Retail is probably starting about $45 or more.

I recently measured some new rotors for thickness. Hayes 6" and Alligator 7" and 8" all were very close to the same thickness. (.069-.072) Avid 7" measured ~.006 to .008 thicker. Sample size however was only a couple rotors each so that doesn't mean anything.

dogonfr · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingray4540

Dogonfr: Thanks for the link, but it doesn't seem that any of those are what I need? I need to go from 160 to 203 or 180 and both ends need to be IS. Or maybe I just don't understand what it is I need?

http://www.speedgoat.com/catalog.asp?v=2&cat=26&dp=77

chameleoneel · 2 Weeks Ago

Unless you are a heavy rider or hauling ass on a DH bike, I wouldn't go bigger than 180/185 on the rear. The rear is generally for control, and scrubbing smaller amounts of speed. You don't want to be locking the rear up either, which is easier with a bigger rotor. The front is what you want big.

**shiggy** · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffscott

Sorry for the same amount of braking heat loads are the same...

So either you are braking so that the heat is more easily disipatted ( short burst higher temps so more heat transfer result less time to heat up the entire pad...)

Or you are braking so that you don't require as much braking ie at better places on the downhills and letting it roll when possible.

Both work well, we take neewbies out to a particular run, they always heat up the brakes, we don't....really opens their eyes.

Which is what I was getting at. Overuse/abuse vs effective use.

stingray4540 · 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogonfr

http://www.speedgoat.com/catalog.asp?v=2&cat=26&dp=77

Lol, thanks!

So, I think I'm gonna go 203front/180rear, from what you guys are saying, and from what I've found in research, it seems that that is a combination that should get me through just about every situation.

So, are those alligator's decent rotors? I was looking at those and they seem good for the price, I guess I'll have to research them some more.