Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Upper quality rotors?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Upper quality rotors?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-26-23, 11:42 AM
  #1  
Tomm Willians
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Tomm Willians's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Nevada County, California
Posts: 790

Bikes: Subject to change at any given moment but currently is...... Colnago Mapei, Colnago C40, Wilier Triestina Carbon, Wilier Triestina Ramato, Follis 472, Peugeot PX60, Razesa, Orbea Terra, Soma Pescadero and 1/2 owner of a Santana tandem.

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Liked 782 Times in 264 Posts
Upper quality rotors?

Is there such a thing as “top quality” rotors or do they all function more or less the same? I had a set of Hope RX4 brakes installed on my Pivot in place of the SRAM Rival and must say I like them very much. Now wondering if rotor selection could make a further impact?
Tomm Willians is offline  
Old 09-26-23, 12:15 PM
  #2  
csport
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: /dev/null
Posts: 675

Bikes: Soma Double Cross Disc (2017), red Hardrock FS (circa 1996)

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 217 Post(s)
Liked 155 Times in 102 Posts
I do not see why there should be difference in stopping power if the pads are correctly bedded in.
There are other parameters like heat dissipation (some rotors have aluminum fins for this), mechanical strength/heat resistance (some rotors are rated for organic pads only and can allegedly get warped if used with metallic pads), cut out holes for water displacement etc.
csport is online now  
Old 09-26-23, 01:13 PM
  #3  
FBinNY 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,725

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5793 Post(s)
Liked 2,585 Times in 1,433 Posts
Short answer is no.

Longer answer.

What matters most is that the pads fit properly and don't overhang the rotor's edge. If your brakes and frame can accommodate it, a larger rotor helps, especially in front. Drilled holes help slightly improving cooling which might help if you have multiple slowing in close order, more for mtb vs. road. Likewise, a thicker rotor will be able to take up more heat, which might help a heavier rider or in hiller terrain.

Other than the larger diameter rotor, all the above are marginal improvements only worth worrying about if you truly need to squeeze more out b what you have now.

Overall, proper instalationand btaek in counts the most.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Old 09-26-23, 01:52 PM
  #4  
Rick
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,443
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 399 Times in 276 Posts
In addition to being rated for semi metallic and using the largest diameter rotors recommended by the manufacture of your bicycle. You can also find ebike specific rotors that are thicker. Quality wise TricStuff rotors are about the best when you can find them.
Rick is offline  
Old 09-26-23, 02:01 PM
  #5  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 4,047
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2241 Post(s)
Liked 3,443 Times in 1,802 Posts
In my experience, Shimano center-lock with heat-dissipating fins are the best. (Ultegra, Dura Ace, XT(R)).
Polaris OBark is offline  
Old 09-26-23, 02:32 PM
  #6  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,811 Times in 3,319 Posts
I've seen some rotors that claim they are better for resin pads and some say they are good for either. As for a premium rotor, other than a brand name you trust, what would the criteria be for a premium rotor?
Iride01 is offline  
Old 09-26-23, 08:10 PM
  #7  
Weogo
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NC USA
Posts: 41

Bikes: 2022 HudSki Doggler

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 8 Posts
Hi Folks,

I had a budget rotor that was 'pulsing' when braking.
Thickness varied from 1.81mm to 1.89mm.
Grinding it all to 1.81 solved the pulsing.
Am guessing better grade rotors have more consistent thickness?

Thanks and good health, Weogo
Weogo is offline  
Old 09-26-23, 10:32 PM
  #8  
headasunder
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 75 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 14 Posts
We run magura floating rotor spec ed for ebikes on our tandem, it is a step up from the ice tech Shimano equivalent when it comes to heat management and noise when wet, 203mm diameter 6bolt only. I guess it depends on what sort of riding you do and your braking technique
headasunder is offline  
Old 09-27-23, 12:11 AM
  #9  
Rick
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,443
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 399 Times in 276 Posts
Trickstuff HD rotors are 25 percent stronger than many of the other rotors and over 2mm thick. They are chamfered at the outer edge so they slide between the brake pads easier.
Rick is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.