Brake upgrade

bigman1976

As someone who is heavier than is strictly necessary (20+ stone), I am concerned that the 160mm rotors on my Rockhopper aren't really up to the job. They're Tektro Draco disks and pads. I've taken it out off road and whilst they're much, much better than the cantilevers on my venerable GT, they're not as good as I was expecting.

Is it worth me upgrading them to 180mm or even 203mm at least on the front? If so, what sort of cost is that going to be? Thanks in advance.

supersonic

I'd go 203 front, 180 back, will give you a nice increase in power. Looking at about £25 for the rotors, another tenner for mounts. Look at Superstar's offerings.

bigman1976

Sounds like a good value for money upgrade. As a mechanical numpty, is this something I could do at home with basic tools or would I need to bleed the brakes etc?

supersonic

No need to bleed: you will need allen kets, T25 torx driver and that's about it! Change rotors and adaptors over, align caliper, bed in.

bigman1976

Sounds relatively simple - may well have a go at doing this myself. What could possible go wrong? :shock:

supersonic

You go over the bars ;-)

cooldad

Only if you do it right. And no problem if you do it wrong as that friendly tree at the bottom of the trail will slow you down.

Welsh_Wizard

I am looking at upgrading the front rotor too. I have elixir 1's.

Can it be done and what parts do I need? I'd be doing it myself... Cheers!!!

cooldad

Same as above, bigger rotors and the right size adapters.

cooldad

Providing your forks can handle it. They will specify biggest rotors to be used.

oodboo

Rotors are directional as well so make sure you put them on the right way round.

Welsh_Wizard

Brill. Looks like I need a PM-PM adaptor to go from current 160mm up to 180mm. They are 4.99 on Superstars website.

Does it matter what actual 180mm rotor you get? Do the different wavy designs make a difference on braking quality?

Also, just read the technical manual and can't find whether my Rock Shox Recon Silver Tk Air solo specifically can or can't take bigger rotors....

Thanks and sorry for hijack!

oodboo

http://www.sram.com/rockshox/products/r ... erm-id/104

Click on specifications, max rotor 210mm.

Welsh_Wizard

Amazing. Cheers mate, I was reading the technical manual at the bottom!!

bigman1976

Welsh_Wizard wrote:

Thanks and sorry for hijack!

Not a problem! You've got the same forks as me so maximum rotor size was something I was looking at too. Just need to work out which adapters I need now. Recon silvers on the front and they're hung on a Spesh Rockhopper 23" frame. Any ideas?

Welsh_Wizard

The fork is a post mount and all you need to check is what your calipers are.

My Rock Shox is PM and my Avid Elixir 1's are also post mount. That means I'll need to get a PM-PM 180mm adaptor. 4.99 on chain reaction!!!