Mountain Biking - Center locking vs. standard disks

i have shimano disk brakes and they are center locking. I was wondering if that was any better than the standard disk brakes. The reason im wondering is that i'm looking to up grade my brake system to probably hydros from avid or hayes. Whats the best way to do this because i would need a whole new shifter system too because of the hydros.

You can get a centrelock to 6 bolt conversion gadget (I think Kore make one), or you could use a shimano rotor with another manufacturer's brake caliper (providing it's the right size), or the final option, buy new hubs.

Centrelock rotors are just a bit easier to fit, but there's no real difference (weight maybe, but I don't know which is lighter).

I think I read somewhere that Centerlocks are slightly lighter, but don't quote me on that.

just another question...

is there a width difference in rotors? as in, will those alligator serrated rotors work with shimano? i thought that all rotors were pretty much compatible with all calipers except for the centerlock factor...

someone enlighten me.

I've heard that calipers vary in their braking width on the rotor. Getting a rotor designed to work with the caliper is probably the best way to go.

As long as the rotor is the right width then it's all good.

centerlock is to brakes what biopace was to cranks.

As long as the rotor is the right width then it's all good.

but when you go to buy rotors, they don't really specify the width do they? at least at price point, for the alligator serrated ones they didn't. do you just eye it then, after that?

centerlock is to brakes what biopace was to cranks.
That's a bit much, don't you think?

That's a bit much, don't you think?

its not that there's a serious design flaw. The design is good, but its proprietary, which makes it bad

i dont think width of rotors would affect much because couldnt you just adjust your calipers to fit the rotor correctly?

i dont think width of rotors would affect much because couldnt you just adjust your calipers to fit the rotor correctly?

The Hydros your talking about upgrading to are self adjusting, Provided your rotors are'nt too wide to fit in the calipers. I personally can't remember a single thread on this forum, that dealt with rotors being too wide. I also have used Shimano and Hayes rotors with Avid calipers and had no problems.

its not that there's a serious design flaw. The design is good, but its proprietary, which makes it bad

Proprietary isn't synonomous with "bad" in all cases. The big drawback here is the cost of centerlock compared to six bolt.

Proprietary isn't synonomous with "bad" in all cases. The big drawback here is the cost of centerlock compared to six bolt.

Name a situation where proprietary is good?

Name a situation where proprietary is good?
Proprietary components allow designers to match performance of certain components to a certain application. I think Specialized has a good approach on their new Enduro SL with suspension designed and built for it. I don't think the centerlock is "bad" just because it's proprietary. I don't like the fact that it cost's more but, I don't consider it near as big a flop as biopace.;)

Edit: I also like Specialized's proprietary brain shock on the Epic and Stumpy FSR, And Sram's Proprietary 1:1 indexing. JMO

i knew the brain shock would be the answer...I was seriously considering an epic, but i don't want to buy a 2500 bike designed around and dependant on a ~$250 dollar shock that may not be available when it needs to be replaced.

centerlock sucks period

what you need is one of the little converters to convert to a 6 bolt, now that solves the problems of the pawls and rotors wearing out over time. They develop play and you can't have that on your brakes.

centerlock sucks period

what you need is one of the little converters to convert to a 6 bolt, now that solves the problems of the pawls and rotors wearing out over time. They develop play and you can't have that on your brakes.
Huh? Even if he uses a converter, he still has a centerlock hub and interface.

yes, but now you can put 6 bolt rotors on there which aren't rivited to little spiders that wear out all the time.

yes, but now you can put 6 bolt rotors on there which aren't rivited to little spiders that wear out all the time.

I didn't know that there was a problem with these wearing out, I've been running centerlocks on one bike for two years with no problems. How many have you replaced? If this problem really exist's why is it so many manufacturers such as, Mavic, Stan's ZTR, and DT swiss, offer wheelsets in both six bolt or centerlock design?

I'm not advocating centerlock, the price of rotors is rediculous. But when members throw out blanket statements that are not always true, or pull some theory out their arse, I have to call them on it. We need to post fact, or at least label opinion or theory.

I've read statements on this forum like "LX shifts better than X7" or " American classic anything is worthless" Or my personal favorite " The Rocky mountain Slayer will own the Santa Cruz everytime". These are opinion that have been posted like fact. These type post's will always draw fire from members.

currently, the rear disc the spider wore out.
and on the front disc, the pawls wore out, that shouldn't happen possibly it's a rare occurance.