help needed to a novice disc brake upgrade

kalex

Retro Guru
Hi i'm after some help on what I actually need to upgrade to larger size rotors front and rear. Also what type of rotor adaptors as I'm unsure being a novice.

To start with i've got a specialized camber evo but as it's the medium size it came with 180mm/160mm rotors.

I would like to put a 203mm at the front and put the existing 180mm on the rear.

So starting with the front i'm ok with what type of rotor to get but unsure on what type of bracket. I think it's a post to post type I need but I would like someone to confirm that.

On the rear I'll use the existing 180mm front rotor but can I also use the front adaptor ( as this was for the same rotor) or do I need to buy another adaptor and is thus a post to post type.

Sorry if this isn't very clear but the more I look on line the more confused I get.

Just to add confusion, on some of the adaptors pictured online they come with plastic locking clips but my other bikes don't have them fitted over the Allen head caps.
 
The frame/fork mounts are key. As you already have the brakes you just need the appropriate adapter to increase the distance from the mounts to match your rotor size. Not sure you'll just be able to use the front mount on the rear as you usually have to reverse the mount to get the right angle. Most mounts will suit a front at a set size and the rear at a smaller size I.e. a front 180 will be a rear 160. There are plenty of options out there, most will come with the bolts needed so I wouldn't worry about the plastic cap things you mentioned (no idea what they are myself). One thing to watch is that if you are going for a 203 rotor, get an adapter for this size and not a 200 one. Not sure how much of a difference it really makes but better to be safe than sorry.
 
Re:

I think I cracked it earlier today.

Both my F&R fittings are post to post.

As standard I have 180/160 with a shimano 180 adaptor on the front and none on the rear.

After doing some research on what adaptor I need to go to 180 rear it turns out it's the same part number as the one fitted to the front which I won't need on there. So hopefully if I'm correct the front 180 rotor and adaptor will be a straight swap to the rear.

Then I just need a shimano xt76 203mm rotor and matching 203mm adaptor for the front.

I just need to get a pot of loctite 243 to dab on the bolts as I'll be reusing them.

Also need to get some stans no tubes and try that out.
 
Re:

you need minimum of 1.5x diameter length of thread enaging.

you should be able to reuse front bolt at the rear but check the front one are long enough.

also check the forks are specified to take 203 rotors.
t
 
Re: Re:

02gf74":150uxf09 said:
you need minimum of 1.5x diameter length of thread enaging.

you should be able to reuse front bolt at the rear but check the front one are long enough.

also check the forks are specified to take 203 rotors.
t

I thought any fork will take any size rotor.

I'm sure these forks will be ok though as if I'd bought a large frame size it would have come with the larger brakes that I'm up grading to
 
kalex":37ktgo98 said:
Hi i'm after some help on what I actually need to upgrade to larger size rotors front and rear. Also what type of rotor adaptors as I'm unsure being a novice.

To start with i've got a specialized camber evo but as it's the medium size it came with 180mm/160mm rotors.

I would like to put a 203mm at the front and put the existing 180mm on the rear.

Why do you feel you need to increase brake rotor size? You say its an upgrade but it isn't really.

You ride a medium frame and assuming it is correct size for you, I ride a Large so assuming neither of us is phenomenally overweight, my bikes are likely to be heavier and carry more weight and I find 160 front and rear is adequate. I have 180/160 and can't say there is a noticeable amount of difference. I should point out that my riding is mostly cross country.

Bigger discs are able to shift more heat so brake fade is less likely but you'd need to be braking down a long steep hill for that to occur; I've not come across one down here in the south that has caused brake fade on my 160/160 set up.
 
Re: Re:

kalex":3eo0791s said:
I thought any fork will take any size rotor.

No.
See example here:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/rock ... nt=Default

Read the question asking about rotor size.

Using a larger rotor than recommended my have clearance issue depending on fork shape or supposedly rip the calliper off the fork - google that and that is what is touted yet there are no cases of this happening. If you have space for the 203 mm, then it'll be fine ... but do you really need 203 mm???
 
Re: Re:

kalex said:
I think I cracked it earlier today.



Yes, you can use the adapter front or rear. And as you've already worked out, you just need a post to post 203 adapter for the front, oh, and a disc :xmas-big-grin:
One thing I will say is, discs are different thicknesses so make sure you find the correct disc for your caliper!
I have rode DH bikes since 95/96 and found that if you use a decent brake system you can actually decrease the rotor size, but you gotta go with what makes you feel most confident.

Mark. :xmas-cool:
 
Re:

I'm 16 stone so I just figured that the extra rotor size would help me.

I also figured that if I needed the same bike in a large frame it would have come with the rotor size i'm going up to any way.

It's most likely over kill but I always went for large discs on my supermoto
 
Re:

Existing front disc and mount successfully put on to the rear this morning and new 203 rotor and mount ordered today
 
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