Brake Rotors

nathanm

nathanm

Eats Squid
What would currently be the best value for money rotors? Shimano XT? Galfer Wave?

Since buying my Norco I've been dissatisfied with my braking. I replaced the original Tektro T4 Slate brakes which were ok with Resin pads but terrible with Ceramic and Metallic.
I've put my Shimano XT brake on which I love but still not getting the braking power I expect and after a long run this weekend they're super noisy.
I'm suspecting the OG Tektro rotors are the issue so as per the above question, what rotors are offering the best bang for buck atm?
 
I bet there will be a zillion responses here. My axe to grind with the Shimano floating rotors is that they never seem to stay true compare to my cheaper solid rotors. I have AliExpress Avid 180mm solid rotors that never needs tweaking but the Shimano 203mm always gets the ting tings and I'm no DH'er. Sure it might be a bit bigger in size but it shouldn't happen as much as it does. The Shimano stock pads do have loads of braking mumbo though.

There is a reason why many new bikes are specced with solid rotors being there is less chance that the customer will come back a complain about them.

Metal pads, solid rotors and bed them in well and hope for the best. Clean with isopropyl alcohol if it starts to get noisy or has less power. Avoid paspaelum too. Those sticky weeds will gum up a front rotor and make them noisy. There is always some of that growing trailsdie here.

I'd suggest to clean your rotors and pads as the first step and try to bed them in again if the rotors are clean but braking is still noisy. Check if the discs are glazed and looking too smooth also.
 
I have no idea what the best value for money is, but I put a Galfer rotor on the rear of my I9 wheelset. It's been pretty good, but the Galfer pads made the biggest improvement in braking.
 
2mm thick solid Tektro rotors are the best bang for buck in my opinion. If you want a bit more bling I've had no dramas with the Uberbike floating rotors
 
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rangersac said:
2mm thick solid Tektro rotors are the best bang for buck in my opinion. If you want a bit more bling I've had no dramas with the Uberbike floating rotors
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Shout out for the Tektro 2.3mm rotor too.

Good value.

I have purchased from both Dyson Bikes and Bicycle Parts Warehouse in Abbotsford.
 
I'm running ali express rotors at the moment, they've been pretty good and there's no noticeable difference between them and the big brands.
 
I think the Aliexpress 1.8 rotors warp easy possibly due to heat??? That being said I have this on the rear wheel https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...order_list.order_list_main.221.374b1802pJw0Bt

I thought what the hell for $18 and 2.3mm I'll give it a go plus I wanted to see id 2.3mm rotors would fit my calipers. It came slighty warped out of the box. I have a Galfer 2.0mm 220mm on the front. I would like to try the Tektro but I see Zitto now do a 220mm 2.3 rotor for $23. What could go wrong for $23.
 
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Calvin27 said:
I'm having braking woes too. Can you just straight retrofit a tektro 2.3mm rotor? clearance issues with brand new pads?
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I've had no issues running them on non 2.3mm compatible calipers from Tektro and also Sram DB8 calipers (which are compatible with 2mm HS2 rotors)
 
Richo82 said:
Which compound of Galfer Pads did you go for @Stredda ?
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I went the Ebike ones for my Levo SL and I have standard compound that I have ready to fit to my Stumpy but haven't seen what they are like yet. The SL Codes felt terrible when I first got it. Just no power at all. Got some Ebike Galfer pads and it was like night and day. As I bought it second hand I have no idea what pads were in it, but they were shit.
 
Formula rotors with Uberbike Race matrix here.

The only time I cooked them was in Forrest doing the 100km MTB Gravel Extravaganza
 
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