180/180mm rotors or 180f/160r?

agg25
agg25 Posts: 619
edited April 2012 in MTB buying advice
Tossing up whether to go 180mm both ends on my 150mm trail bike or whether a 180f/160r would be just as good? There's a post mount on the rear of the frame which would fit the 160mm but if I want the 180mm on the back I'd need an adaptor. Just wondering would it be worth having the bigger rotor on the back?

Comments

  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Personal preference really. I like 200mm front & rear because I like lots of power for minimal pressure at the lever. Some of my friends only use 160mm for DH racing.
    Try a set up & see how it works for you.
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  • agg25
    agg25 Posts: 619
    Well I have 180/180 on my XC bike and 160/160 on my commuter mtb, but it would be easier to just have the caliper directly attached to the frame on my new bike (which I haven't built yet) and also marginally lighter...and cheaper, but I don't want to be underbraked. For info they're 2012 XT brakes. Don't a bigger rotor just mean they'll cool quicker, not necessarily be more powerful?
  • oodboo
    oodboo Posts: 2,171
    If you're skinny then no, probably not worth having. If you're a bloater then yeah, why not and while you're at it get a 203mm rotor up front as well. Just check a 180mm rotor will fit the frame if you do go for it.

    I've got 203r/180r on my enduro.
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  • agg25
    agg25 Posts: 619
    yeah 180mm will fit, not sure about a 203 though, it's a Pivot Mach 5.7 carbon. I'm 80kg, so not really a skinny or a bloater :-)
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    ive got 180/160 on my HD with the same xt brakes and icetech rotors, weigh about the same as you, circa 75kg, and they stop me great, very powerful, went down from a 183mm to a 160mm on my hardtail with the same brakes, found them almost too powerful with the bigger rotor
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    I figure that with a 160mm on the rear it's very little effort to lock the back wheel so can't see much point on anything but a DH bike running any bigger, plus direct mount to frame and smaller disc will save you about 75g in weight!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Sikora
    Sikora Posts: 519
    I'm also debating what size rotors to go for when I buy a 2012 XT setup. I currently use 203f/185r setup on Juicy 5's. Stops me ok, but not really one finger braking. I'm a little heavier than you though at 95kg.

    I also find I drag my brakes a bit, so I think the larger rotors help with cooling.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Not dragging brakes works better than going up a disc size!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Sikora
    Sikora Posts: 519
    Well yeah, its just a nasty habit
  • agg25
    agg25 Posts: 619
    Thanks guys ordered the 180/160 setup ;-)

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