What size disc rotors do I need?

What size disc rotors do I need?

Here are some general rules of thumb: 160mm rotors for cross-country (possibly with a 180mm front rotor for heavier riders and greater versatility); 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors for 5in and 6in full suspension bikes; 200mm rotors for gravity riding.

How do I know what size my rotors are?

The measurement is stamped into the edge of the rotors currently on your vehicle. Your other option would be to Physically Measure them with a ruler or tape measure. The Auto Parts Stores usually have all the information you need.

What is the difference between 160mm and 180mm rotors?

1. 180mm rotors offer greater stopping power than 160mm ones and are better for larger riders and harsh descents. 160mm rotors are lighter, provide better modulation and work just fine for small riders and bikes that won’t be used for downhill.

Are front and rear rotors the same size?

Originally Answered: Are front and rear rotors the same size? Usually not. On most passenger vehicles the front brake rotors are larger, with a larger friction surface. This is because when the brakes are applied, the weight shifts forward, the front end drops and the rear end raises.

Do I need 160mm rotors?

Sram’s road product manager, Brad Menna, agrees: ‘We recommend 160mm for road applications. That’s what provides the most power and best system performance for the widest range of riders and uses. ‘ Shimano’s Ben Hillsdon also agrees, and explains why 160mm rotors might be better able to cope in certain situations.

Does the size of the rotor matter?

You can exchange brake pads, experimenting with different material compounds for feel and durability, but rotor size has a much more significant influence on absolute brake performance. The more heat your brake rotors can absorb, the longer they’ll retain stopping power, without fading.

How do I choose rotors?

How to Select Brake Rotors

1. Smooth rotors offer the quietest operation, lowest dust and longest pad life.
2. Drilled rotors offer slightly more bite and friction than slotted rotors.
3. Slotted & Drilled rotors offer a compromise, midway between the benefits of slotted rotors and drilled rotors.

Why are bigger rotors better?

The larger rotors not only provide more power but they also put less strain on your forearms and shoulders since you don’t need to pull the brakes as hard, keeping you fresher for longer and allowing you to ride more actively.

Are rear rotors smaller?

The front rotor is bigger because you CAN brake more with the front before losing traction. The rear rotor is smaller because a whole lot of extra braking force is just going to make the wheel lock up anyway, so a bigger rotor would just be a waste.

Are all 160mm rotors the same?

Yes, the 6 bolt rotors have the same bolt pattern. You will find some slight differences in the actual contact area – if you currently use hayes pretty much any should be fine except possibly the Shimano stuff as it was a slightly smaller contact area.

Is 140mm rotor enough?

‘In my opinion a pair of 140mm rotors look nicest, but as many riders are over 80kg there is a chance braking performance can be affected in certain conditions,’ says Giacomo Sartore, groupset product manager at Campagnolo. ‘This is why we recommend either a pair of 160mm rotors or 160mm front, 140mm rear.

How many sizes of disc brake rotors are there?

SRAM’s HS1 disc brake rotors are available in five diameters: 140,160,170,180, and 200mm. Shimano, and most other brake companies, offers rotors in four sizes, which can still be a lot to choose from.

Is it better to have the same size rotors front and rear?

At best, you’ll have the same size rotor front and rear. However, we’re of the opinion that a large rotor up front and an even bigger one at the rear would be better still. Why is that?

What size brakes do I need for my enduro bike?

In contrast, the rear brake gets dragged a lot to control speed, generating a lot more heat. For aggressive enduro riders with large 29” wheels, 200 mm rotors are mandatory and upgrading to 220 mm rotors is worthwhile for heavier riders. Trail bikes also benefit from powerful brakes.

How much difference is there between 160mm and 140mm rotor sizes?

There are other factors that lend even more credence to the 160/140 setup. ‘It depends on the rotors, but there can be a 30-40g difference between a pair of 160mm rotors and a pair of 140mm ones,’ says Menna. Shimano’s Hillsdon quotes a similar figure, saying the difference between a 160mm Ultegra rotor and its 140mm counterpart is 20g.