Mountain Biking - Does the make of the disc itself matter?

I have a Hardrock Sport Disc 2006. It comes with Tektro IO mechanical disc brakes. If I upgrade to Avid BB7s, do I need to put on the Avid disc, too, or can I leave on the Tektro disc and just add the Avid calipers? I'd sell the Avid discs to recoup some of the upgrade cost. WIll the Avids calipers perform equally well on the Tektro disc, or do I need to add the Avid disc to realize the BB7s full performance?
Thanks,
-Erik

I'm in the same boat Ecox. I have a Hardrock Sport 2005 and have to get rid of those crappy Tektros and upgrade to Avid BB 5.

My LBS tells me that I have to replace the disks also, something about disk thickness being differant (not diameter).

He's giving me a great deal $60 CDN per brake including disks and labour.

I'm in the same boat Ecox. I have a Hardrock Sport 2005 and have to get rid of those crappy Tektros and upgrade to Avid BB 5.

My LBS tells me that I have to replace the disks also, something about disk thickness being differant (not diameter).

He's giving me a great deal $60 CDN per brake including disks and labour.

Dunno about the 2005 Hardrock, but the 2006 Hardrock's discs are the exact same thickness as Avid BB7 discs.

You should be fine but I would go ahead and swap the rotors as well. Then you can keep the tektro discs as spares for when / if you bend one of the avids.

Dunno about the 2005 Hardrock, but the 2006 Hardrock's discs are the exact same thickness as Avid BB7 discs.


Hmm, I must check into that then. I doubt there is a difference between 05 and 06. Thanks!

But I think I'd have to buy the discs anyway, same as you....right? Might as well install them and keep Tektros as a spare (like previously mentioned).

would recomend having extra disks. My friend was riding a lader, slipped of the edge and bend his disk 90 degrees. I had a tree branch get caught in mine and warped it (both were 8 inch, so stuck out more)

I'm not sure what the Tektro's rotors look like, but the BB7's are comparatively thin and VERY well ventilated (you can hear the buzzzz of the vent slots when you're really haulin' it down). That means they dissipate heat very well. Just check to be sure you Tektro rotors are as well ventilated or your BB7s may not perform as well as they should.

Edit = BTW, rotor thickness is not an issue because the BB7 calipers are so adjustable.

I tried a cheaper rotor on my Avids. Though advertised as the same diameter, it was smaller to such an extent that there was less pad contact. That would have caused a bad wear pattern not to mention less braking. It was also poorly finished. I threw it away.

As already mentioned, an extra disc is a good idea. I keep a lot of spare parts as I have to maintain four bikes and my wife and I go off on bike trips.

Al

My LBS tells me that I have to replace the disks also, something about disk thickness being differant (not diameter).

They're trying to rip you off. There are no problems with disc thicknesses. You could keep your discs, but they're probably worn a lot more, and wont have as much life left in them. Plus, Avid makes a sweet rotor.