ppc

I'm interesed in a certain Shimano disc hub. However, I see they're adopted yet another "standard" for the rotor, the center lock system. Assuming I'm interested enough in the hub to buy a center lock rotor with it (and presumably yet another special tool to mount it), would it still work with my older callipers? I'm especially concerned about lateral alignment: are they supposed to line up like regular 6-screw rotors?

Al.canoe

I faced the same problem. It turns out it depends. Some rotors will cross-match fine. A cheaper after market rotor I tried did not work well with my Avid calipers though they were rated the same diameter. They were actually a smaller diameter. It was a rip off. Avid claims (I called them) that the Shimano rotor will not match their Avid ball bearing calipers because you won't get all the swept area. You'd expect them to say that, so I don't know how true it really is.

As far as alignment, there should be no problem.

What I wound up doing was to buy the adaptor which though expensive ($35.00 at Performance), allows you to adapt any rotor to work on a Shimano hub. I used an Avid rotor. This was for my wifes bike, I still use the old style.

The center lock is nice. It probably saves weight as you don't need the big flange to bolt too and installing/removing a rotor is easier and quicker. You need a freewheel tool and a large socket to fit the freewheel tool to use a torque wrench.

Al

ppc

Oh yeah, that's already the case with standard rotors: I have a pair of Magura rotors on the bike that I use because they're thicker than normal, they were supposed to be 160mm, but in fact they were more like 162mm and rubbed at the bottom of my Shimano callipers. Nothing a file and a friend turning the pedals can't fix though.


Okay, that's what I wondered. I didn't think Shimano would redesign all their brake models just to be incompatible with everybody else, but you never know.

Thanks for the info!

CafeRacer

You should never mix rotors with calipers. In some cases you may get away with it but alot of the time all your doing is damage. For instance. Hayes pads will have a sandpaper effect on shimano rotors. In no time the rotor will be burnt(scored) and useless. You will also wear pads out too. In the case of Avids, An Avid rotor is thicker than a Shimano one, So its not aligning your Avid caliper to a center-loc rotor that will be tough, that should be easy, its getting the brake to work properly that will be sketchy. On my BSX bike I run Saint Hubs witch require Center-loc rotors. In my case I run Shimano brakes so it makes sence. I think most mechanics will agree its a bomb proof system! It works well and is super simple. Tool wise, all it requires is a cassett tool. The Saint sized rotor mount is the only specific sized tool. I know people argure that its "another stantard" on the push to make money but bottom line is if it was crap companies like DT-Swiss and Mavic wouldnt be using the patent on their hubs.

My advise to you; Im not sure why you wouldn't want to run a Shimano brake but if your not and your dead set on those hubs purchase the adaptors that are made by a few companies now.

Cheers JS

ppc

Oh, I'm not worried about that. I've happily mixed rotors and calipers from all kinds of brands. Some combinations require turning down the rotor, some provide more or less braking power, but I've never had problems. My current combo is cheap Shimano Deore mechanical calipers with 1st gen Magura Julie rotors and off-the-shelf pad replacements from BBB (the original Shimano pads work too). They stop my loaded tourer on a dime and the rotors are thicker so they don't heat up as fast as the original Shimanos, which is great on long descents. Being cheap, the calipers are of the fixed pad variety, but they certainly manage to bend the rotors against the inner pad without problem.


Ok that's cool. I was worried that Shimano decided to move the rotor like 3mm inboard to screw all the other manufacturers, or something similar. If it's only a little way off, the caliper can always be adjusted. If the diameter is a bit wrong, there's always the lathe.


I'm all for new standards if they're backward-compatible, so I can valorize my parts heap. This center-lock thing seems to be a good idea for once.


I have Shimano brakes, so Shimano rotors should work well. I'm okay to buy a new rotor with the hub, what I didn't want was to have the nasty surprise of finding out that I need to buy a new caliper when I try to mount the new wheel. From what you guys told me, it won't happen, so I'll order the hub and the rotor on Monday.