185mm rotor v 203mm... Drastic difference?
LeighM
Posts: 156
I've currently got 185mm on the front and 160mm on the back.
I was thinking about sticking the 185mm on the back and getting a 203mm but I'm not sure how much of an affect this will have on my stopping power.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade or should I save my money?
I imagine with the extra bite, initially I'll lock the backend up more and increase the risk of going over the bars too.
I was thinking about sticking the 185mm on the back and getting a 203mm but I'm not sure how much of an affect this will have on my stopping power.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade or should I save my money?
I imagine with the extra bite, initially I'll lock the backend up more and increase the risk of going over the bars too.
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do you feel underbraked currently?
I would just upgrade to a 203mm front if you really feel the need as you rarely need more than 160mm on the rear.0 -
it will give 9.7% more power.LeighM wrote:I've currently got 185mm on the front and 160mm on the back.
I was thinking about sticking the 185mm on the back and getting a 203mm but I'm not sure how much of an affect this will have on my stopping power.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade or should I save my money?
I imagine with the extra bite, initially I'll lock the backend up more and increase the risk of going over the bars too.0 -
yeehaamcgee wrote:MORE POWER !!!
sold.
i'd actually like to be called max power just for sh*ts and giggles , sounds dynamic 0 -
yeehaamcgee wrote:it will give 9.7% more power.
Well that settles it then
Its not that I feel "underbraked" at the minute, but I'm wanting to push my riding on and tackle some of the White/Dark peak trails and I'd rather have more than I need than not be able to control my speed when I need to.
Plus, I have a crazy urge to buy bits for my bike, despite it not actually "needing" anything... :roll: :shock: 0 -
Less power can actually mean more control. You use more of the lever throw.
Can you lock the brakes up at ease?0 -
supersonic wrote:Less power can actually mean more control. You use more of the lever throw.
Can you lock the brakes up at ease?
Obviosuly the back is easy to lock up, but I don't think I've ever locked the front... yet :shock:
Would that suggest i'm still operating within the limits of my current setup?0 -
I tried a 203mm on the front last year, for no particular reason other than i could, felt no real difference for my average kinda ridding at cannock and dark peak too, so took it back off and sold it on.
Think you have to check your fork can handle it too if nobody has already mentioned it.0 -
I did exactly this on my Marin, The front has made a noticeable difference, less pressure through the lever means less arm pump on long gnarly descents.
I'm not sure that the upgrade at the back was such a good idea though as i frequently lock up the back end, this recently proved to be dangerous on a wet, bendy tarmac descent, just feathering the lever caused the back end to momentarily lock up and i nearly lost the back end into oncoming traffic.... not fun
Upgrade the front if you think you need it, leave the back as it is
(Im probably going to put the 160 back on)0 -
Personally, I like stupidly powerful brakes. I find I have more control over them if I need to use less finger strength. I adjust my finger position, and I know how much power I'll have.0
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I never though there could be such a thing as too much power until I tried a 203mm V2 at the back. Even the 2.4" tyre I was using would struggle for grip when feathering the brake. :shock: I downgraded to a 183mm rear rotor for just the right amount of stupidly powerful brake.0
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yeehaamcgee wrote:Personally, I like stupidly powerful brakes. I find I have more control over them if I need to use less finger strength. I adjust my finger position, and I know how much power I'll have.
+ potato
Upgraded from a 185/160 combo on my All Mountain to 203/185 and it made a difference.
I then upgraded my Juicy 3's to Codes, that made a massive difference and allows me to now brake with [one fingered] confidence0 -
yeehaamcgee wrote:Personally, I like stupidly powerful brakes. I find I have more control over them if I need to use less finger strength. I adjust my finger position, and I know how much power I'll have.
+1 I find the subtlity comes just after bite that you get at a much lighter pressure AND you don't risk running out of brakes which I find much scarier than a bit more fork dive, which if you ignore is you own fault for locking the front (fun though on gravel if you are trying for it)-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Mongoose Teocali
Giant STP0
Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:0 -
I have 203mm rotors on the front and back of my bike and wouldnt have anything else now, i love powerful brakes and the peace of mind knowing ur gon stop no matter what in any and every condition.0
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Raymondavalon wrote:I then upgraded my Juicy 3's to Codes, that made a massive difference and allows me to now brake with [one fingered] confidence
I found the Codes to be Too much on the DH bike during a 2 week Uplift fest. so much so they were changed to something with a bit more control.
OP sometimes just a change in pads and a service can do wonders.
as can levers closer to the bar."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Braking is limited usually by tyre grip.
I was riding down a step of steep, large steps not so long back, and feathering the rear brake, but it locked very easy, almost pitching me over the bars! Too much power and no control is bad for me.0 -
I had a 203mm rotor when I was running my Saints.... now that was stopping power!
Cansidering they are one of the most powerful brakes on the market, I found them controlable enough and well modulated to have comfortable braking on a 160mm hardtail.0 -
No control or too little control is a bad thing, but, I find I can control big 203mm discs fine. Even, easier.supersonic wrote:Braking is limited usually by tyre grip.
I was riding down a step of steep, large steps not so long back, and feathering the rear brake, but it locked very easy, almost pitching me over the bars! Too much power and no control is bad for me.0 -
I guess it depends on the system too.0
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supersonic wrote:I guess it depends on the system too.
definately...
Stroker trails for instance have good power with a 203mm rotor... but they are very wooden and have an "on/off" feel to them.0 -
It definitely has a lot to do with the system.
Like Northen Monkey says, I found Shimano Saints (the old two-pot) to be incredibly powerful, but very very controllable.
Whereas, my mate had some cheap 160mm Hayes, and they were uncontrollably wooden, and had a very on/off feel.0 -
I run 180/180 and it works great, the 160 on the back didn't work to good for me, didn't feel like i was getting the power i wanted. Plus 14st+camelbak/tools etc
Never tried 203 up front, but when i get time to get into more aggressive riding then i won't need the extra power.0 -
Why won't you need the extra power?0
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I'm planning on doing this with my Hope Mono Mini 2 pots. I figured it's the cheapest option (after a good bleed) to get more power on the front. If I'm still pushing through them then it'll be a swap to 4 pots, plenty of those on ebaY.Happy trails.0
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yeehaamcgee wrote:Why won't you need the extra power?
If you can lock the wheels up at ease in control, then not worth changing for some people.0 -
No, I mean in response to this...supersonic wrote:yeehaamcgee wrote:Why won't you need the extra power?
If you can lock the wheels up at ease in control, then not worth changing for some people.Biggus86 wrote:but when i get time to get into more aggressive riding then i won't need the extra power.0 -
Sorry yeehaa, i mean until i get into more aggressive riding then the bigger rotors won't be needed. (Had the gf sat nxt to me wibbling on about stuff)0
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Ah, I see.
that right confused me that did.0 -
I went from a 180 to a 203 then back to 180, with a 180 i can pull a pretty long stoppie and modulations great, with a 203 i would regularly nearly kill myself pulling stoppies when they suddenly bit really hard... so ide say the difference is pretty significant but only when working the brake hard..0
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i find there is a big difference between 203 and 180 discs. i tend to run 203 front and a 185 on the back but there is no reason why 160 wouldnt be ideal, as i never have any trouble with locking the back wheel up (although i do my best to avoid this)
mind you, im a monster so the extra power is usefull to me.0
