Disc brake rotors as spoke protector discs?
#1
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Disc brake rotors as spoke protector discs?
Note 1
Added after first 2 responses.
My RD came perfectly setup and with a spoke protector. Chain never slipped while shifting into the lowest gear. Chain slipped twice when going thru potholes and over bumps and the spoke protector saved the rear wheel.
Note 2
This thread is NOT about need for spoke protectors.
Nor about alternatives to using rotors as spoke protectors.
Nor about how to buy spoke protectors from outside India.
Metal (and plastic, as well) spoke protector discs for freehubs are not easily available in India.
Can I use disc brake rotors as spoke protector discs?
If yes, have the following questions.
1. Should I use centerlock or 6-bolt rotors?
2. For a 11-36T cassette, diameter of 36T cog is 150mm (6 inches).
Is it better to use 180mm or 203mm rotors?
3. Should I attach the rotor to the spokes or the 36T cog?
4. How close to the 36T should the rotor be to prevent chain derailment?
Thanks
Added after first 2 responses.
My RD came perfectly setup and with a spoke protector. Chain never slipped while shifting into the lowest gear. Chain slipped twice when going thru potholes and over bumps and the spoke protector saved the rear wheel.
Note 2
This thread is NOT about need for spoke protectors.
Nor about alternatives to using rotors as spoke protectors.
Nor about how to buy spoke protectors from outside India.
Metal (and plastic, as well) spoke protector discs for freehubs are not easily available in India.
Can I use disc brake rotors as spoke protector discs?
If yes, have the following questions.
1. Should I use centerlock or 6-bolt rotors?
2. For a 11-36T cassette, diameter of 36T cog is 150mm (6 inches).
Is it better to use 180mm or 203mm rotors?
3. Should I attach the rotor to the spokes or the 36T cog?
4. How close to the 36T should the rotor be to prevent chain derailment?
Thanks
Last edited by anga; 01-30-23 at 06:15 AM.
#2
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I suppose you can use anything you can fit on there in the proper position. A old lid off a pail, metal or plastic. Just whatever is pleasing to you for any reason.
However if your bike has the DR limits properly adjusted and nothing else is wrong to make the chain come off the rear cassette or freewheel often, then why do you need spoke protector?
However if your bike has the DR limits properly adjusted and nothing else is wrong to make the chain come off the rear cassette or freewheel often, then why do you need spoke protector?
- Which seem easier for you to make fit?
- Don't know, spoke protector design and engineering doesn't get mentioned much. I think you should use your own judgement.
- Either will work. You might not want to have the protector firmly attached to the spokes by bolts or other fasteners that alter the stress points of the spoke. But maybe nylon zip ties or something. Or fasten it to the big cog.
- Protector isn't to prevent chain derailment. It's there to protect the spokes in the event the chain does come off the cog while you are sprinting with all your might from a dead stop. Other times you probably aren't putting out enough power to damage the spokes. Unless you foolishly keep pedaling. Again, the DR low limit are what keeps the chain from coming off the big cog and correct adjustment and condition of everything else. IE, the DR hanger.
Last edited by Iride01; 01-29-23 at 12:43 PM.
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Metal (and plastic, as well) spoke protector discs for freehubs are not easily available in India.
Can I use disc brake rotors as spoke protector discs?
If yes, have the following questions.
1. Should I use centerlock or 6-bolt rotors?
2. For a 11-36T cassette, diameter of 36T cog is 150mm (6 inches).
Is it better to use 180mm or 203mm rotors?
3. Should I attach the rotor to the spokes or the 36T cog?
4. How close to the 36T should the rotor be to prevent chain derailment?
Thanks
Can I use disc brake rotors as spoke protector discs?
If yes, have the following questions.
1. Should I use centerlock or 6-bolt rotors?
2. For a 11-36T cassette, diameter of 36T cog is 150mm (6 inches).
Is it better to use 180mm or 203mm rotors?
3. Should I attach the rotor to the spokes or the 36T cog?
4. How close to the 36T should the rotor be to prevent chain derailment?
Thanks
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Spoke protectors are very thin and are contoured to follow the dish of the spokes. A disc rotor is much thicker and perfectly flat. Your derailleur would probably hit the rotor when you shift to your largest cog
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I'd make something out of scrap plastic (e.g. the jug below) before trying to use a rotor. Might need 2 or 3 layers of plastic, depending on thickness. Zip tie them to the spokes.
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Amazon has more spoke protectors under 10 bucks than you can shake a stick at. If you want something blingier than plastic, chrome ones are about 5 bucks more. I don't know that it would be worth the effort for most people to try to use a disk brake rotor unless they want to aggravate the people the eschew spoke protectors AND disk brakes.
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I highly recommend this idea to all disc brake-coveters while they hold out for a thru-axle bicycle, rather than buying a QR-disc bicycle that will forever be a lemon. I'm serious. People are better off making their rim-brake bicycle look like it has disc brakes, than to settle with the QR-junk being passed off as disc brakes in the era of thru-axles.
Last edited by Nyah; 01-29-23 at 05:20 PM.
#9
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Amazon has more spoke protectors under 10 bucks than you can shake a stick at. If you want something blingier than plastic, chrome ones are about 5 bucks more. I don't know that it would be worth the effort for most people to try to use a disk brake rotor unless they want to aggravate the people the eschew spoke protectors AND disk brakes.
Spoke protector costs $8.64
Delivered to India cost is $28.86
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#11
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You can get them much cheaper here: https://www.aliexpress.com/premium/s...ke.html?dida=y
AliExpress and similar sites cannot ship to India!
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I highly recommend this idea to all disc brake-coveters while they hold out for a thru-axle bicycle, rather than buying a QR-disc bicycle that will forever be a lemon. I'm serious. People are better off making their rim-brake bicycle look like it has disc brakes, than to settle with the QR-junk being passed off as disc brakes in the era of thru-axles.
To the OP, I agree with the above issue raised about a rotor being flat and not contoured, and being relatively thick. I think you’d have issues with your derailleur hitting it when in low gear.
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even easier would be finding a flat plastic lid of suitable thickness
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Possibly.
I don't think it matters as you'll have to remove the centre anyway.
I just checked a 32t cassette against a 160 mm rotor and that looked a bit close, so I'd go for the 203 mm on 38t.
Probably more effective bronze welded to the back of the cassette than zip tied to the spokes.
The regular spoke protector doesn't prevent chain drop, it just catches it before it chews the spokes or jams the freewheel. You'll need it far enough back that the derailleur doesn't hit it in normal operation.
Probably more effective bronze welded to the back of the cassette than zip tied to the spokes.
The regular spoke protector doesn't prevent chain drop, it just catches it before it chews the spokes or jams the freewheel. You'll need it far enough back that the derailleur doesn't hit it in normal operation.
#21
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Between $10 and 15. Shimano.
Appreciate the useful responses, grumpus.
Inner diameter of centerlock rotors seems to be 35mm and BCD of 6-bolt rotors is 44mm. I was thinking of using bolts, nuts and washers to setoff the 6-bolt rotor from the cassette and then attach to cassette and spokes to maintain position.
Even if the centerlock rotor fits the freehub, it may interfere with the derailleur, as you warned.
Possibly.
I don't think it matters as you'll have to remove the centre anyway.
I just checked a 32t cassette against a 160 mm rotor and that looked a bit close, so I'd go for the 203 mm on 38t.
Probably more effective bronze welded to the back of the cassette than zip tied to the spokes.
The regular spoke protector doesn't prevent chain drop, it just catches it before it chews the spokes or jams the freewheel. You'll need it far enough back that the derailleur doesn't hit it in normal operation.
I don't think it matters as you'll have to remove the centre anyway.
I just checked a 32t cassette against a 160 mm rotor and that looked a bit close, so I'd go for the 203 mm on 38t.
Probably more effective bronze welded to the back of the cassette than zip tied to the spokes.
The regular spoke protector doesn't prevent chain drop, it just catches it before it chews the spokes or jams the freewheel. You'll need it far enough back that the derailleur doesn't hit it in normal operation.
Inner diameter of centerlock rotors seems to be 35mm and BCD of 6-bolt rotors is 44mm. I was thinking of using bolts, nuts and washers to setoff the 6-bolt rotor from the cassette and then attach to cassette and spokes to maintain position.
Even if the centerlock rotor fits the freehub, it may interfere with the derailleur, as you warned.
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paint can lid