Hi all,
Wondering if anyone can help me with this question before I spend my money on a different mount for this caliper.
I am going to increase my front rotor size but what is printed on the side of my current mount has me confused. It says 160mm or 180mm implying that this mount can be used for both but surely the pads need to be in a different position for each size of rotor? I can't just bang a 180mm rotor on and change nothing else and expect it to work fine can I?
Can anyone clarify for me what this text on the side of the mount is getting at, am I able to use this mount for the bigger rotor somehow? If so how?
I plan on taking it apart this weekend and trying it out for sizing before I order a different mount but in my mind the caliper would need to be pushed further out to make space for the increase in size for the rotor and was hoping someone could enlighten me on what this text actually means whilst I plan the work in my head :D
The text on the adapter indicates it is for rotors 160 OR 180mm in diameter, depending on the fork design. The flat mount on your fork was designed for 160mm, but there are also flat mounts on other bikes designed for other standard sizes. Contact your fork manufacturer to confirm whether you can fit a 180mm rotor.
Even if a 180mm rotor physically fits, that's only part of the equation. Increasing rotor size increases the moment arm being applied to the fork leg. The fork needs to be designed for the potentially higher forces. YMMV, and be aware that snapping your fork/frame is a real possibility when increasing rotor size. That said, 160—>180 doesn't result in a major increase in moment, but primarily increases cooling area.
Ah I see, I didn't think about the fact the bike could change and then the same mount could be used for a 180mm. That explains that for me, thanks!
Yeh I'm aware that changing it will result in increased load but YOLO, I'm gonna risk it and I'll have faith the forks can take it. Like you say it won't be a drastic increase in braking force, I am more doing it for the cooling element anyway as power wise the 160mm is fine.
I'll get an adapter, cheers for the info!
Enjoy!
I mentioned the increase in moment arm for anyone else thinking about increasing their rotor size. On my own bikes, I would have zero concerns about 160—>180. This is a super common modification, and it is for cooling purposes.
But people being people, someone else would see "put on a larger adapter and rock out!" And then think they could put on a 203 rotor just because it fits. And THAT is absolutely getting into concerning, "you better know what you're doing" territory.
Yeh I appreciate that. I have been doing all my own bike work, maintenance and upgrading for around 30 years now so I'm fairly confident in my own abilities and knowing what feels safe and what doesn't. It was more the text on what I have that was throwing me and making me wonder if I needed any additional hardware.
Thanks for the input and I definitely won't be slapping on a 203, I'll leave that for the MTB xD