bigger rotor on weak fork
silvermatt
Posts: 8
Whats going to happen if I add a bigger rotor to my fork which exceeds the manufacturers max size? I have a dart2 fork and current rotor is 160 which is the stated max size. Would adding a bigger rotor really add that much more strain to the fork mounting point to cause it to fail? Has anyone had experince of this part of a fork breaking?
I'm considering upgrade to increase braking capability. The current setup has struggled to stop me on some downhill bits and its making my fingers ache and cramp pulling the lever so hard! I'm first of all trying new pads to see how that goes but if its not what I'm hoping for I'm seriously considering rotor increase. I'm not going to be buying new forks anytime soon so thats not an option.
I'm considering upgrade to increase braking capability. The current setup has struggled to stop me on some downhill bits and its making my fingers ache and cramp pulling the lever so hard! I'm first of all trying new pads to see how that goes but if its not what I'm hoping for I'm seriously considering rotor increase. I'm not going to be buying new forks anytime soon so thats not an option.
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Comments
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You will void any warranty, that is for sure.
But your problem does sound more than simple rotor size - try new pads and clean the rotors with alcohol.0 -
Chances are it would make no difference however the fork manafacturer will have done extensive tests on the setup and the recomended rotor size will be a compromise of longevity and performance!!
You pays your money you takes your chances.
Ive been running a 200mm rotor and a 20mm step up mount on my RC 40 XCAM's for 2 years now and no adverse effects, fork went back to pace last month for their annual service and no faults were apparent at time of inspection?!!0 -
Aaron's right in that you might not get any adverse effects. However, when I had a 203mm rotor on an old Marzocchi Junior T, which was only meant to take 160mm brakes, fork flex under braking was very apparent, and I wouldn;t have recommended running that combination for any length of time.0
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Ok thanks for all your responses which are all very useful. I will try the new pads first before making any other changes. My worry was the fork breaking in some way but fork flex (not something I'd heard of before) seems less of a worry and something I can look out for if I do change.0
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Well, flexing fork lowers can lead to catastrophic fork failure.silvermatt wrote:Ok thanks for all your responses which are all very useful. I will try the new pads first before making any other changes. My worry was the fork breaking in some way but fork flex (not something I'd heard of before) seems less of a worry and something I can look out for if I do change.0 -
They are Shimano M485 so pretty much bottom end. I'm about to try discobrakes organic/medium pads and I will try these before I go for bigger rotors.
The original pads wore out on a recent trip to Afan so maybe thats clouding my judgement. It basically felt like I was hanging on the brakes for fear of death. My hands were cramping really bad but others bikes were easy one-finger pull on.
I just want something with improved stopping power that doesn't break the bank and a rotor upgrade seems a cheap option (as long as it doesn't break the forks that is!!
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Or look for Quad brakes as distributed by Raleigh UK they offer Avid juicy stopping power at mechanical disc prices!!!!!
Dime
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ime--31066
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/12318/Qua ... n=pid12318
Quad QHD-1
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ting-30792
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/12318/Qua ... n=pid12318
Quad QHD-4
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... rake-31092
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/cycling/bra ... CAIQDB400F0
