Shimano Rotors

clanton
clanton Posts: 1,289
edited August 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
I ride a Scott Genius MC30, mostly local trails and purpose built centres, will ride some of the easier black runs such as Kirropuhtree, Glentress XC routes. The bike has Shimano XT brakes (dual control levers) with 160mm centre lock rotors. I want to increase the stopping power by getting bigger rotors.
Should I:
1. go for 180mm rotor on the front only
2. 180mm front and back
3. go for 203mm rotors front and 180mm back or is this just way too overkill

PS I assume XTR rotors will fir with XT brakes?

Comments

  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    I'd go 203 front and 180 back. I'm considering doing the very same myself as we can't have enough overkill in our lives eh :)
  • royboy11
    royboy11 Posts: 71
    If you're not worried about the very small weight difference then go 203 on front and back. I'm using 8" hayes nines for xc and there's no shortage of stopping power.
    Norco Sasquatch '07 - Parts?.. break'em and replace'em
  • Platano
    Platano Posts: 77
    203 is overkill for the rear and has the potential to damage your frame. Im running 180 front and 160 rear on the XT brakes and it's more than adequate for XC.
    My Bike
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    I don't think that a 203 on the rear would fit most frames. Plus, rear wheel lock up would become a problem I think, even if a 203 did fit.
  • jayson
    jayson Posts: 4,606
    I run a 180f 160r combo and its more than adequate for XC riding and im not a small bloke, 203mm would be overkill for all but the gnarliest DH or FR riding.
    Remedy

    Merida

    Austria 2012
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    :)
  • Scubar
    Scubar Posts: 453
    180mm/160mm Shimano LX on my Trek and it has more than enough stopping power,
    185mm/160mm Avid Juicy 3s w/goodridge hoses on my Marin and also more than enough stopping power.

    Bigger rotors on the rear arent really that needed, i did have a 185mm on Marin but found it way to easy to lock the rear wheel up.
    ___________________________________________________________

    My Marin Hawkhill 2007 - http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1382583/
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    In braking terms how are Juicy 3's different to 5's and 7's? and for that matter and did the Goodridge hose upgrade give you an increase on power Scubar?
  • Platano
    Platano Posts: 77
    Red Panda wrote:
    In braking terms how are Juicy 3's different to 5's and 7's? and for that matter and did the Goodridge hose upgrade give you an increase on power Scubar?

    A braided hose will just improve the feel of the brake. Only changing the rotor size or type of brake pad will increase power :)
    My Bike
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    Thanks Platano, I'm aware of the benefits of braided hose, I just had a funny feeling that I'd read somewhere Scubar had improved the power of his Juicy 3's through fitting Goodridge hose to them.

    I've just got back from a ride and in honesty I wouldn't really want to increase my rear rotor size(160mm) through being able to lock my rear wheel at will, whenever I like. But, I think I would like to improve my front with a 203 rotor at some point.

Categories