200mm Rotor Users

Curious Yellow
Curious Yellow Posts: 281
edited September 2011 in MTB general
I'm trying to fit some 200mm discs on my bike at the moment and I'm looking for some opinions.

I am going up from 160mm (admittedly on faulty brakes) so I know I should definitely see a difference in stopping power. However, is there anything you like/don't like about them?
«13

Comments

  • S-M
    S-M Posts: 174
    You get used to the extra power after a while, i found i had to pump up my front shock a little more as the front was diving more.

    Mine seam more noisy, but i did fit sintered pads at the same time.
    1999 Specialized FSR Elite MAX Backbone.
    1998 Specialized FSR Ground Control - stripped for parts.
    2011 Boardman Pro HT - SOLD! (low quality, expensive garbage)
  • Dave-B
    Dave-B Posts: 16
    I found that there was a lot less moderation in the brakes due to the rotor upgrade.
  • tom_howard
    tom_howard Posts: 789
    I run 203 on the front of my orange, and 160 at the rear, the weight difference in the rotors is scarcely believable, the front weighs (in a 'not actually weighed them just held them both at the same time' test) around double the rear, both same rotors, aside from the size. Something to bear in mind, esp as youre adding to wheel weight.
    Santa Cruz 5010C
    Deviate Guide
    Specialized Sequoia Elite
    Pivot Mach 429SL
    Trek Madone 5.2 Di2
    Salsa Mukluk Carbon
    Specialized Turbo Levo Expert 29er
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Less modulation, and in an extreme case you could damage your forks depending on whether they are designed for big rotors.
    Surely if your brakes are faulty you are just dealing with symptoms, not cause?
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    cooldad wrote:
    Surely if your brakes are faulty you are just dealing with symptoms, not cause?
    Very much so.
    I run 203mm rotors on the front of my bikes, and although I love having "land-anchor"esque brakes, other people who've ridden them have expressed concern about using them.
    Some people just do not get on with huge brake discs - Nicklouse here for example prefers the greater modulation of a smaller disc.
  • 97th choice
    97th choice Posts: 2,222
    Horses for courses, what bike and what lind of riding?
    Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, aye

    Giant Trance
    Radon ZR 27.5 Race
    Btwin Alur700
    Merida CX500
  • I have 160 on the HT and 203 on the FS, both with Avid Elixir R Brakes and standard pads.

    You get a lot more feel with the 160, you use some modulation with the 203.
    The 203 has bags more power available though!
  • Cheers for the responses, and thanks for the concern about my brakes!

    I'm replacing the previous brakes completely. They are leaking DOT fluid and I'm not sure I've got the patience to repair them right now. Shame, because they were great brakes.

    I'm forced to go 200mm because those were the only option left for purchase on the brakes I wanted. I'm hoping to go back to 160mm or 180mm front, 160mm rear at some point.

    Definitely think they're overkill for the kind of riding I'll be doing right away, but I'll have to live with them for the time being.
  • Raymondavalon
    Raymondavalon Posts: 5,346
    +1 for big (203mm) rotors up front. Two fingered braking on demand
    I think once you get used to a bigger rotor you do prefer it, it was certainly the case with me, hence both of my bikes with discs have 203/185 rotors.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    I have 160 both ends and only ever use one finger. I probably don't go very fast though, being a coward and having an aversion to pain.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • weescott
    weescott Posts: 453
    With 200mm discs they take a while to warm up and get optimal braking power/modulation. Once they do, then modulation is just as good as with smaller rotors, but with bags more power and less fade.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    in my opinion they are not needed on anything other than gravity based bikes. DH/FR etc.

    180(5) on the front and 160(5) on the rear will do 99% of the population (XC racers 160/140) :wink:
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    You know what burns more than a hot brake disc?
    The "stupid" that people spout about brakes :roll:
  • Raymondavalon
    2 finger braking?!

    Sod that wit 203mm disks! 1 finger only, and that on the DH!
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    I have a 203mm on the front, partly cause my fork only takes a 203mm rotor, but also cause my current brakes have no power whatsoever. I brake with two fingers, more out of habit than necessity.
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
    05 Trek 1000 Custom build
    Speedily Singular Thingy
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    thel33ter wrote:
    I have a 203mm on the front, partly cause my fork only takes a 203mm rotor,

    what fork is that?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I'm thinking of dropping my rear rotor to 140mm to add a bit more lever travel and feel.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    edited August 2011
    Redundant post
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    nicklouse wrote:
    thel33ter wrote:
    I have a 203mm on the front, partly cause my fork only takes a 203mm rotor,

    what fork is that?

    Magura Wotan, it has a 203mm post mount built in.
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
    05 Trek 1000 Custom build
    Speedily Singular Thingy
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    cooldad wrote:
    Redundant post
    This space intentionally left blank.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    sign-not-in-use.jpg
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • weescott
    weescott Posts: 453
    lost.jpg
  • S-M
    S-M Posts: 174
    nicklouse wrote:
    in my opinion they are not needed on anything other than gravity based bikes. DH/FR etc.

    180(5) on the front and 160(5) on the rear will do 99% of the population (XC racers 160/140) :wink:

    Hmm my XC bike came with Elixer R 160 front and rear as standard, and i cooked them and suffered from brake fade at two different trail centres.

    I have a front disc somewhere that has started to turn purple and the "spokes" have went brown :oops:

    The first time this happened was on the black route at Hamsterly Forrest, i only just managed to get around the corner, but the brake leaver was nearly touching the bars, anyway the second time with my new shiny 203`s i was pushing a lot harder, infact it was a LOT harder, and i think they might have scrubbed a decent amount of speed off before the rear locked, the front started to lock, and i left the trail @ 30mph+ on my way to dislocating a shoulder :lol:

    I might go a little slower on that section next time.

    Edit: I should have added that power needed is different for every rider, if your a heavy chap, its going to take more force to slow you down, fatties need bigger brakes = fact! :D
    1999 Specialized FSR Elite MAX Backbone.
    1998 Specialized FSR Ground Control - stripped for parts.
    2011 Boardman Pro HT - SOLD! (low quality, expensive garbage)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    to that I can not comment as I do not now the "black" route at Hamsterly. or have regular use of ELIXIR brakes.

    but at (well Fat bastard size) I can manage most DH trails in the Swedish "Alps" on an HT with 180/160 and 160/160 on the FS Xc. and even on a DH race bike 180/160 but i supose it depends on how the brakes are used. Also I had issues on the same trails with Codes at 203/203 one year buit did not have any issues with formula the ones the following years.
    maybe I just dont brake quite as much.

    yes I have draw a temper colour on my brakes as well but they were also crap brakes as well.

    well at 203 I could not go bigger really. but Yes if you are drawing a temper colour on the brakes and cooking them you will need a bigger disc for your braking or you may cook the brakes.

    from what i have seen of the trail centers in the Uk I would be very happy with 180/160 or 160/160 and at plus 100kg. :wink:
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • S-M
    S-M Posts: 174
    I was 133kg at christmas :lol:

    Currently around 112kg and it was still dropping until i fell off and had some time out :)
    1999 Specialized FSR Elite MAX Backbone.
    1998 Specialized FSR Ground Control - stripped for parts.
    2011 Boardman Pro HT - SOLD! (low quality, expensive garbage)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    nicklouse wrote:
    from what i have seen of the trail centers in the Uk I would be very happy with 180/160 or 160/160 and at plus 100kg. :wink:
    Ditto.
    I like my 203mm front disc, and although I have had overheating problems with brakes in the past, on various disc sizes, it has never happened at a trail centre. The descents just aren't steep and long enough.
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    Really depends on the brake and riding, and person. For example I currently run Juicys with 203/185 riding DH, the power is just about the minimum i'd have. I wouldnt think about running any smaller rotors. Say I had Saints, i'd run smaller rotors.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I had a juicy up front, with a 203mm rotor, and found the power to be exceptionally poor, verging on the dangerous on some rides. And the overheating issues just compounded it.
    Since replaced the front with an XT M785, but kept the same rotor, and i have an excess of braking power available, and haveb't run into any heating issues yet.
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    I had a juicy up front, with a 203mm rotor, and found the power to be exceptionally poor, verging on the dangerous on some rides. And the overheating issues just compounded it.
    Since replaced the front with an XT M785, but kept the same rotor, and i have an excess of braking power available, and haveb't run into any heating issues yet.

    Secret to Juicys is a good bleed and set up :wink: But yeah they don't have much power do they.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Bleeding doesn't prevent boiling, or prevent them from being utter shite.