Aftermarket Chinese disk brake adapters
09-02-23, 12:03 AM
#1
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Aftermarket Chinese disk brake adapters
Is it worth buying any of aftermarket adapters found on Amazon such as this one?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B089M8NHQH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Previously bought one from Hong Kong on Amazon and never had any problems.
In the rewievs for red 203 mm version someone was complaining about stripped threads. That might be user error only.
Hard to find any convincing reviews about brake adapters in general.
There was a fast shipping for 203 mm Shimano SMRT 76 rotor from Amazon so I thought the most logical thing to do is to get the adapter at the same time since only rear Shimano adapters were available on Amazon at the time.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B089M8NHQH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Previously bought one from Hong Kong on Amazon and never had any problems.
In the rewievs for red 203 mm version someone was complaining about stripped threads. That might be user error only.
Hard to find any convincing reviews about brake adapters in general.
There was a fast shipping for 203 mm Shimano SMRT 76 rotor from Amazon so I thought the most logical thing to do is to get the adapter at the same time since only rear Shimano adapters were available on Amazon at the time.
Last edited by sysrq; 09-02-23 at 12:07 AM.
09-02-23, 08:00 AM
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From what I have seen, many of the Amazon/No-Name/Mainland China parts are decent but some have poor quality control such as bad threads and fit is off, etc. Odds are not too bad you'll get a good one but if it's no good you'll probably have to wait awhile to get a replacement which may be just as bad. Personally I would buy a known reliable brand from a shop/online with established reputations and shop around as you may be able to get a good deal.
09-02-23, 08:10 AM
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Little things like that really should come from a LBS.
It'll cost dollars more, you'll get the right part, and get right on to enjoy cycling now.
Prime delivery is *great* for a lot of things, yes you save time and possible vehicle feul, but when it comes to automotive parts and bike parts, I make an effort with the local businesses that I have a relationship with.
I follow up with people I personally know and people I recently met.
The local shops supply a lot for the things I resell and would be nice that they not go out of business My retail prices are strong enough so it's ok that I pay $15 for a $8 mail order part.
It'll cost dollars more, you'll get the right part, and get right on to enjoy cycling now.
Prime delivery is *great* for a lot of things, yes you save time and possible vehicle feul, but when it comes to automotive parts and bike parts, I make an effort with the local businesses that I have a relationship with.
I follow up with people I personally know and people I recently met.
The local shops supply a lot for the things I resell and would be nice that they not go out of business My retail prices are strong enough so it's ok that I pay $15 for a $8 mail order part.
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09-02-23, 09:52 AM
#4
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Little things like that really should come from a LBS.
It'll cost dollars more, you'll get the right part, and get right on to enjoy cycling now.
Prime delivery is *great* for a lot of things, yes you save time and possible vehicle feul, but when it comes to automotive parts and bike parts, I make an effort with the local businesses that I have a relationship with.
I follow up with people I personally know and people I recently met.
The local shops supply a lot for the things I resell and would be nice that they not go out of business My retail prices are strong enough so it's ok that I pay $15 for a $8 mail order part.
It'll cost dollars more, you'll get the right part, and get right on to enjoy cycling now.
Prime delivery is *great* for a lot of things, yes you save time and possible vehicle feul, but when it comes to automotive parts and bike parts, I make an effort with the local businesses that I have a relationship with.
I follow up with people I personally know and people I recently met.
The local shops supply a lot for the things I resell and would be nice that they not go out of business My retail prices are strong enough so it's ok that I pay $15 for a $8 mail order part.
Last edited by sysrq; 09-02-23 at 09:59 AM.
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09-02-23, 10:02 AM
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If they service bikes, then they surely have everything in stock.
They are telling walk-ins that because they don't want their time wasted.
The Costco/Amazon era has evolved a new species of buyers who see anything above a web price, they think the local store is ripping them off.
Even if I weren't reselling bikes, I would still pay premium for parts because my time is vaulable, I like my bikes fixed asap so I can go biking while others are waiting for their potentioally wrong part to arrive.
Bike shops like money, and that's the same kind of regular clients they cater to.
They are telling walk-ins that because they don't want their time wasted.
The Costco/Amazon era has evolved a new species of buyers who see anything above a web price, they think the local store is ripping them off.
Even if I weren't reselling bikes, I would still pay premium for parts because my time is vaulable, I like my bikes fixed asap so I can go biking while others are waiting for their potentioally wrong part to arrive.
Bike shops like money, and that's the same kind of regular clients they cater to.
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09-02-23, 10:13 AM
#6
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From what I have seen, many of the Amazon/No-Name/Mainland China parts are decent but some have poor quality control such as bad threads and fit is off, etc. Odds are not too bad you'll get a good one but if it's no good you'll probably have to wait awhile to get a replacement which may be just as bad. Personally I would buy a known reliable brand from a shop/online with established reputations and shop around as you may be able to get a good deal.
Since I don't know the quality of the aluminium used then there is no other choice but to look for Shimano adapter from local companies on Monday and recieve it around Friday.
The only difference is Chinese 203 mm adapter looks rough around the edges at close up compared to 160 mm adapter from Hong Kong which is smooth.
09-02-23, 10:26 AM
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It’s Amazon. Buy it and try it out. If it strips you can return it for a full refund. No-brainer.
Last edited by icemilkcoffee; 09-02-23 at 01:45 PM.
09-02-23, 11:43 AM
#8
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Seems like bigger adapter needs to be made with higher manufacturing quality despite the fact that bigger rotor reduces load on the fork while increasing the load on the spokes for less brake lever force.
Last edited by sysrq; 09-02-23 at 12:19 PM.
09-02-23, 02:46 PM
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sysrq By all means let us know if this works ! And what problem you think was solved.
would sure like to understand what you mean by "higher manufacturing quality". It's pretty much all spewed out by factories in China or Taiwan now.
I am not in agreement with your assertion that "higher manufacturing quality" but whatever works for you.
/markp
would sure like to understand what you mean by "higher manufacturing quality". It's pretty much all spewed out by factories in China or Taiwan now.
I am not in agreement with your assertion that "higher manufacturing quality" but whatever works for you.
/markp
09-02-23, 03:23 PM
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I used to think like you but quickly discovered that local bike shops don't carry much of anything in the way of repair parts. I got the impression they order stuff from Amazon same as everyone else. I've even been lectured and told what I was asking for wasn't what I wanted. In fact, whenever a LBS has come through for me has usually been one of the mechanics selling, or flat out giving me, a part out of his personal parts bin stash.
I don't blame or even fault the LBS, just the nature of the beast these days.
REI is far and away the best parts supplier in my area.
I don't blame or even fault the LBS, just the nature of the beast these days.
REI is far and away the best parts supplier in my area.
09-02-23, 05:44 PM
#11
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I used to think like you but quickly discovered that local bike shops don't carry much of anything in the way of repair parts. I got the impression they order stuff from Amazon same as everyone else. I've even been lectured and told what I was asking for wasn't what I wanted. In fact, whenever a LBS has come through for me has usually been one of the mechanics selling, or flat out giving me, a part out of his personal parts bin stash.
I don't blame or even fault the LBS, just the nature of the beast these days.
REI is far and away the best parts supplier in my area.
I don't blame or even fault the LBS, just the nature of the beast these days.
REI is far and away the best parts supplier in my area.
Last edited by sysrq; 09-02-23 at 05:48 PM.
09-03-23, 05:08 PM
#12
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Turns out the Shimano adapter doesn't place the TRP hy/rd caliper far enough to clear the caliper slot. Looks like Chinese adapter moves the caliper bit too much outboard. Not sure yet.
Never stumbled upon any information about max rotor size for calipers. Quick search doesn't bring up anything about max rotor size for calipers in general and TRP also doesn't say anything.
Never stumbled upon any information about max rotor size for calipers. Quick search doesn't bring up anything about max rotor size for calipers in general and TRP also doesn't say anything.
09-03-23, 05:19 PM
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In the end if you are a regular commuter you need to have and use a second bike and keep one bike maintained at all times. If you are relying on cheap-o no-name parts from wherever from whomever then you are going to be in trouble. Get a good reliable bike as your main bike and have a good reliable spare bike and go down to your local shop and get spares as needed or just bring them the bike when it is having problems and ride the spare or vice verse and you will be fine.
There are some places that may not have everything you need because there is so much to carry and limited space. However if you do as I have suggested above you will be fine.
There are some places that may not have everything you need because there is so much to carry and limited space. However if you do as I have suggested above you will be fine.
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09-03-23, 05:55 PM
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In the end if you are a regular commuter you need to have and use a second bike and keep one bike maintained at all times. If you are relying on cheap-o no-name parts from wherever from whomever then you are going to be in trouble. Get a good reliable bike as your main bike and have a good reliable spare bike and go down to your local shop and get spares as needed or just bring them the bike when it is having problems and ride the spare or vice verse and you will be fine.
There are some places that may not have everything you need because there is so much to carry and limited space. However if you do as I have suggested above you will be fine.
There are some places that may not have everything you need because there is so much to carry and limited space. However if you do as I have suggested above you will be fine.
It has been said that it's normal for these adapters requiring some tweaking since every fork and caliper is different.
It too expensive to select all the parts for long distance commuting (100 mile round trip) to make two bikes with the same comfort level.
Last edited by sysrq; 09-03-23 at 06:01 PM.
09-04-23, 10:49 AM
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Looks like there is a need for 1,5-2 mm spacers between the caliper and adapter.
It has been said that it's normal for these adapters requiring some tweaking since every fork and caliper is different.
It too expensive to select all the parts for long distance commuting (100 mile round trip) to make two bikes with the same comfort level.
It has been said that it's normal for these adapters requiring some tweaking since every fork and caliper is different.
It too expensive to select all the parts for long distance commuting (100 mile round trip) to make two bikes with the same comfort level.
