Can I Upgrade The Rotors On A Mongoose Mountain Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Generally, disk brake rotors of same diameter are thought of as cross-compatible

, but there are some edge cases when this might not be true: Rotor thickness might not be the same across manufacturers and disk brake calipers might be designed with thicker/thinner rotor in mind.

How do I change 160mm rotor to 180mm?

You can switch from 160mm to 180mm by

installing a mount adapter

. 4. Many people run a 180mm rotor at the front for maximum braking power and 160mm at the back for greater modulation.

Are bigger MTB rotors better?


Larger rotors have a greater mass and allow for greater storage of heat

. This is good because if there is a greater capacity for heat in the rotors, your brake pads and hose fluid can stay at operation temperatures.

Are bigger brake rotors better?


The larger rotors not only provide more power but they also put less strain on your forearms and shoulders

since you don’t need to pull the brakes as hard, keeping you fresher for longer and allowing you to ride more actively.

Can I get bigger rotors?


Upgrading to larger rotors can be detrimental

. The extra weight, or mass, in the rotor allows it to absorb more heat. A larger rotor also takes longer to heat up. These factors can bring your vehicle’s braking system temperatures below their optimal range.

Are all bike rotors the same thickness?


Rotors from different manufacturers generally have different thickness out of the box, between 1.7mm – 2.0mm

. The thicker ones generally don’t have a markedly different fade behavior, and even if they did, of course the rotors will get thinner as they wear down, negating the effect.

Can I use any rotor with disc brakes?


You can use any rotor you like with any brake

, within reason. Some rotors have narrower brake tracks than others, i.e. Shimano, but generally, it’s just a metal disk.

Are all bike rotors the same?

Rotors come in 140mm, 160mm 180mm and 203mm sizes, and

depending on the category of bike you’re riding, it will be set up for a different-sized discs

: the front rotor will usually be a size up from the rear.

Do brake rotors matter MTB?

Although

larger brake rotors are more powerful and durable in their performance, when descending very steep terrain, they can be too powerful for flatter, flowing trails or terrain that isn’t tacky

. In dusty summer riding conditions, a 203mm brake rotor will react with great immediacy to even the slightest lever input.

How often change rotors MTB?

You should replace your bicycle disc rotors

when they get to a thickness of 1.5mm or less

. A bike’s disc rotor can last for an average of 2 years for a rider who rides 3-5 times in a week.

Do brake rotors make a difference MTB?


The bigger the rotor, the more braking power you get and better heat distribution, but also the greater the weight

. Usually downhillers go for 205mm rotors on the front and 180 on the rear. For more calm disciplines like XC 160mm rotors are more common.

Do I need a 160mm rotor?

Sram’s road product manager, Brad Menna, agrees: ‘

We recommend 160mm for road applications

. That’s what provides the most power and best system performance for the widest range of riders and uses. ‘ Shimano’s Ben Hillsdon also agrees, and explains why 160mm rotors might be better able to cope in certain situations.

Can you put 180mm rotors on a road bike?

If you actually ‘need’ a 180 rotor to slow yourself down what you really need is a different bike.

There is no good way to put a 180mm rotor on a bike w/ flat mount calipers

.

What thickness are SRAM rotors?

SRAM rotors are usually

1.85mm thick to start with, although some of its 140mm rotors are 1.9mm

, and they should be retired once they get down to 1.55mm. Different brands recommend different minimum thicknesses so check the details for the rotors you use. If you could slice ham with yours you’ve left it waaay too long!

How do I know what size rotors I need?

Do I need to replace my rotors?

As a general rule, you should get your brake pads replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles to keep wear to a minimum. When it comes to your rotors, you have a bit longer.

Your rotors should be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles

to keep your brakes in peak health.

Are all brake rotors the same?

When it comes time to replace your rotors, keep in mind that

not all rotors are made the same

. In fact, there are four different types to choose from, so before replacing your vehicle’s rotors, make sure you’re choosing the right one for your needs.

Do bigger rotors need bigger calipers?


The point of having larger rotors is to have larger calipers to hold larger brake pads for more braking power

. Just installing larger rotors won’t do anything for performance and you may have clearance issues with the smaller caliper brackets, not to mention out of spec rotor wear that might cause braking issues.

Are front rotors bigger than rear?


The front rotor is bigger

because you CAN brake more with the front before losing traction. The rear rotor is smaller because a whole lot of extra braking force is just going to make the wheel lock up anyway, so a bigger rotor would just be a waste.

How expensive is it to replace rotors?

How much does it cost to replace the brake pads and rotors? Rotors cost

between $30 and $75 each

. Labor to replace rotors and pads is around $150 to $200 per axle. Brake pads and rotors come out to around $250 to $500 per axle.

What is a good thickness for rotors?

Yes there is a minimum recommended rotor thickness, and it varies from brand to brand. Magura’s minimum recommended rotor thickness is

1.7mm

. At that thickness, Magura recommends replacing them for several reasons, one being reduced heat stability.

What is the minimum thickness for brake rotors?

Brake rotors are marked with a “minimum thickness” on the casting (usually

2 mm to 3 mm less than the new rotor thickness

). Rotors should be replaced before they reach this minimum thickness and should not be “turned” (machine refinished) below this.

Are all centerlock rotors compatible?


No. The center lock spline on the hub is the same, only the lock ring is different

.

Are all 6 bolt rotors the same?


Yes, the 6 bolt rotors have the same bolt pattern

. You will find some slight differences in the actual contact area – if you currently use hayes pretty much any should be fine except possibly the Shimano stuff as it was a slightly smaller contact area.

Can disc brakes be added to any bike?

Disc brakes can be fitted to any mountain bike so long as the bike is equipped with two things: Hubs that have the fittings for a disc rotor. Frame and forks which have mountings for disc calipers.

Can I use SRAM rotors with Shimano brakes?

Condensed answer:

SRAM rotors can be used with Shimano disc brakes

. The diameter of the rotors should match the system’s settings. The rotors have to be compatible with the wheel’s hub too.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.