|   disc brake rotor switch-a-roo or not | jamis rider
Dec 29, 2003 7:02 PM | | I have had a pair of Hayes HMX-1 mechanical disc brakes on my Dakar for a few months now, yes, i know, they aren't the greatest, nor the easiest brakes to maintain, and YES i should forked over the extra cash for the Avids, but i didn't.
Anyways, my front brake is working great, haven't had to do much adjusting at all. The rear on the other hand is another story, the stopping power has not been that impressive. I have gone through one set of Hayes pads (the stock ones) and am on my 2nd set of Hayes pads on the rear, they are doing o.k., but still not all that impressed. So, my latest effort in making this rear brake up to par was to purchase a set of EBC RED replacement pads. I know the RED'S may wear down faster, but a buddy of mine recommended them to me for great stopping power. I picked a pair up at SUPER_GO for $13.00.
So, with all that said, my friend also mentioned that since my rear rotor is more scarred than the front one, i may want to swap them out, i.e., put the rear rotor on my front wheel, and my front rotor on my rear. Does anyone have any input on doing this. Will it benefit the stopping power at all? I am kind of hesitant to do the swap because i am very happy with how well my front brake is performing.
Any thoughts and or suggestions would be appreciated. ( i plan on giving the rotor a good wipe down with the isopropyl alcohol before installing the new pads)
Thanks everyone! |
| clean cables | EricTheRed
Dec 29, 2003 9:37 PM | | make sure your cables are clean too, added friction can cause poor performance, i'd do that first before any rotor swap.
Most of your stopping power comes from the front brake so, switching rotors might get you into more trouble than it would solve. But if you still want to switch you could take it out on a parking lot or easy dirt ride and see if there is any difference.
its ok to want enough power to lock up the back brake, but remember its easier to lock up the wheel on dirt so please don't skid on the trail. |
| what ETR said.... | FreeRangeChicken
Dec 30, 2003 7:07 AM | | ....most of your braking power comes from the FRONT wheel. The reason for this is that your front tire gets weighted and the rear tire tends to unweight under braking (weight shifts foreward) making rear wheel is less effective during braking. This is not just an anomaly with your bike, the same thing happens with cars and motorcycles. It's physics. That's why when you buy a set of brake pads for your car, the front pads are thicker than the rear.
If you still think that there isn't as much power as there should be, check out your brake levers. Some brake levers have a leverage adjustment that allows you to get a little better mechanical advantage.
FRC |
| thanks guys_NM | jamis rider
Dec 30, 2003 9:29 AM | | thanks for the responses. i understand the front wheel is more dominant under braking. I will check the cables and see how they are holding up. i was leaning more towards leaving the rotors where they are, like you guys suggested.
ETR, i always do my best to avoid locking up the rear wheel on trails, i practice the fine art of brake modulation when riding.
thanks again guys. |
| I've got the same disc set....bought 'em cheap. | Danny
Dec 31, 2003 5:57 AM | | You are right. Avid is better...mostly because they have that special adjustment nut system that makes squaring up the caliper to the rotor very simple. Getting caliper square and centered on the rotor is the most important part of the setup and the main reason people have problems with chattering, unequal wear, and poor performance.
If you can see the rotor flexing...especially if it is flexing more in the front of rotor or back of the rotor than the other side. Doublecheck your setup to make sure that isn't happening.
To get a "good" setup, make sure you clamp the caliper to the rotor before you tighten the bolts.
As to your question, I would not recommend swapping the rotors. That will only increase the wear of your pads on the front. Instead, if the rotor is in really bad shape, buy a new one from Jenson. They sell replacements for $10 bucks. |
| I've got the same disc set....bought 'em cheap. | jamis rider
Jan 2, 2004 11:10 AM | | thanks danny, i will take what you said into consideration as well. |
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