Bigger front rotors

Noel PT

Evening guys, I was hoping somebody out there could shed some light on my stopping problem.... or the lack of it.

I'm a chunky dude with a 07 speshi rock hopper and it doesnt stop all that well. Its got 16" rotors front and back and was wondering if puttin 18's would improve its stopping capabilities? If so, is there anything else I should consider. For example braded brake lines...

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Ciaran500

EDIT: >_< Misread what bike you have

MarvintheAndroid

Hi Noel PT

I hope you mean 16cm not 16", or you are riding round with dustbin lids on your wheels !!

I assume you mean the Rockhopper Disc with the Juicys, or did you buy the standard version and fit them yourself ?

I recently upgraded my front disc from 16cm to 18cm, and found a useful improvement in stopping power. More than that, it made the application of power smoother and more controllable, less of a "grab and hope".

Bigger discs will put more twisting force through your fork but if the fork is fairly stiff and well maintained that won't be a problem, I just mention it for completeness.

The process is quite straightforward, you will need a new rotor and a larger mounting bracket for the front fork. I would leave the rear rotor alone as 16cm is usually enough to lock the wheel without any difficulty.

Marv

ashleymp777

I agree totally with Marv!

Had 16cm rotas front and rear! Found that the front could do with beefing up! So replaced the rota and mounting bracket for an 18cm rota and have never looked back!!!!!!

Noel PT

dustbin lids....... oops!

Yeh I meant 16cm sorry mate. I got the speshi with juicy hydrolics.

Glad to hear I am on the right track! Any rotors and mounts you guys could recommend!

I was also looking at upgrading to braded hoses.....any point.....much difference?

thanks guys

Sir HC

What forks are they ?

Braided lines don't expand as much as standard hoses.

Noel PT

Tora Rock Shox

MarvintheAndroid

Suggest you stick with Avid G2 kit to avoid any problems. Chain Reaction have a good range. Please check these for yourself as I obviously cannot see your bike, but I think these are the right ones.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=13721
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=15263

[EDIT] Of course if you change the brake lines you will need a bleed kit as well. IMHO not worth doing unless you are going extreme !

Marv

Noel PT

yeh, they look good. I'll order them and if they dont fit I can always send them back I suppose. Gonna get some braded hoses too. I gotta slow my fat ass down!

Cheers guys

MarvintheAndroid

Brakes slow your bike down, not necessarily your ass.......

Marv

Noel PT

hahaha

Anonymous

im a pretty big old unit and notice the lack of power from normal 6 inch rotors. i put a bigger rotor on the giant and it has made a massive difference, the power is greatly improved.

i think braided hoses are ok but not really necessary, i'd try a new disc first then see if you need to upgrade your hoses.

rob cole

was also looking at upgrading to braded hoses.....any point.....much difference?

Avid strongly recommend that people don't fit braided hoses to their Juicy brakes...in fact it will invalidate your warranty and they offer no performance advantage with the Juicy brakes

try upgrading your rotors, this will make a big difference to braking power. 160mm rotors are pretty small for anything but pure XC race use, i would suggest 203mm on front and 185mm on rear if your fork has clearance and is adequately burly to withstand the increased stress the bigger rotor will place on it.

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Red Panda

rob cole wrote:

was also looking at upgrading to braded hoses.....any point.....much difference?

Avid strongly recommend that people don't fit braided hoses to their Juicy brakes...in fact it will invalidate your warranty and they offer no performance advantage with the Juicy brakes [/b]

No performance improvement? really? plus, I wonder why they throw their rattle out of the pram if you do fit them. Doesn't add up to me.

Scubar

I have Goodridge hoses fitted to my Juicy 3s. big performance increase in stopping power under alot of pressure. Certainly a good upgrade if you like you brakes and want to give them abit extra , i have 185mm front and 160mm rear and the they can stop all 200lbs of me dead in a second.

P-Jay

I can recomend big Juiceys. Got 20cm / 18cm Front / rear and they stop my ample 16st body very nicely, my bikes aren't the lightest ether.

I biggest upgrade I did though was to swap from the the OE sintered pads to organic. Just keep and eye on them if it's shitty out (and when isn't it this summer?) they don't last long.

Red Panda

Scubar wrote:

I have Goodridge hoses fitted to my Juicy 3s. big performance increase in stopping power under alot of pressure. Certainly a good upgrade if you like you brakes and want to give them abit extra , i have 185mm front and 160mm rear and the they can stop all 200lbs of me dead in a second.

I always thought fitting Goodridge hoses gave better 'feel' through removing sponginess. Is that what you found Scubar? I'm possibly considering a brakeline upgrade in the future...but not before going to a 203 front and a 180 rear.