Mountain Biking - 185mm or 203mm?

So I'll be upgrading my brakes to some Avid BB7's in near future, and as part of a deal the guy at the bike shop said he would throw in any sized rotors I want, free of charge.

I have 160mm rotors front and back at the moment, and I'm happy to keep a 160mm up back, but I would like to upgrade the front. I'm not sure whether to go 185mm or 203mm.

I'm sure 185 would be adequate for my riding (Mainly XC riding, a small hint of downhill every now and then, but nothing extreme) although a part of me is saying "Get the 203!" purely for looks. "Hey, look at my massive brakes, motherf***er!" :lol:

So opinions; Would a 203mm rotor really be overkill?

Check the specs on your fork for maximum rotor size.

Check the specs on your fork for maximum rotor size.
That, sir, is a good idea.

Would the specs be written on the fork somewhere, or in the manual/online?

Prolly online manual. I'd personally go with 180's. If you ride with people who have 160's they look massive.

Prolly online manual. I'd personally go with 180's. If you ride with people who have 160's they look massive.

I've taken a look in the manual and online, and nothing.

The fork is a Mozo Vigor Q. The manual tells me to go to the website for further information, but the website doesn't even have Vigor listed under products. That's annoying.

I'm sure 185 would be adequate for my riding (Mainly XC riding, a small hint of downhill every now and then, but nothing extreme) although a part of me is saying "Get the 203!" purely for looks. "Hey, look at my massive brakes, motherf***er!" :lol:


Sounds like a guy I know:)

Sounds like a guy I know:)

By any chance is he running 160's at the moment?

I've taken a look in the manual and online, and nothing.

The fork is a Mozo Vigor Q. The manual tells me to go to the website for further information, but the website doesn't even have Vigor listed under products. That's annoying.

I just looked up the fork. Personally, I'd not go with the 203's, but thats just me.

Mozo Vigor Q = a low end 83mm XC fork.

probably not recommended and not necessary to have a disc larger than 160mm.

Mozo Vigor Q = a low end 83mm XC fork.
probably not recommended and not necessary to have a disc larger than 160mm.

Yeah, that's the one.

:(

larger rotors are more likely to snag a root or rock and get bent....my vote is 180 if you are heavy, I'm 175 ride XC and 160 rotors work fine

From your riding description alone 160s should be more than fine, and seeing your fork details now, just go with 160.

From your riding description alone 160s should be more than fine, and seeing your fork details now, just go with 160.
Yeah, it seems like this is the better option.

Thanks for everyone's inputs. :)