marciero

I've read a lot about disc brakes, both regarding tandems and single bikes, including most of the lengthy thread on this forum on Spyres, but did not see anything about specific rotors, other than size. It seems that disc brakes have not eliminated heat build-up issues for some teams. I was wondering if anyone has tried the Shimano Ice-tech Freeza rotors. They have a "clad" design, like some cookware, where aluminum is sandwiched between stainless. The aluminum conducts heat away, and there is also an aluminum fin part of the rotor to dissipate heat. Seems like a great design. They are also purportedy quieter. They require centerlock hubs, which is a Shimano proprietary design, licensed to some hub manufacturers.

Shimagnolo

Scroll to bottom: Disc brake rotors .... which ones? - The Paceline Forum

mibike

Also see https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cyc...ice-rotor.html

TooMany

As linked to by mibike, there are reports of these rotors melting. We have the 180 mm size on the Landshark and are happy with them. The are fairly quiet and the braking power is great. (I think Shimano still have the best disc brakes despite gains by others.) The heat build up has been apparent on some descents, mostly in that they start making a lot of noise under braking. However, I have not noticed any fade, though the rotors do get quite hot.

As far as hubs go, I don't think that there are any tandem hubs that use centerlock, so you have to have a tandem with mountain bike spacing of some sort (thru axles, 135 mm, etc). We went with the DT Swiss 350 hubs - fairly durable, easy to rebuild and moderate cost.

marciero

The reports of melting seem from those with only rear disc and using as drag brake. Several other report no such issues, specifically on steep extended descents. I note that many of the reports do not mention rotor size. It seems to me that would be a factor, with larger rotors less likely to have issues. I am thinking with 200 mm front and rear, the right pads, and light team weight you may not have issues.