I'm looking into upgrading my both front and rear brake rotors to a larger size. I have a 160mm rotors with BB5 brake/calipers installed on them. I'm interested in enlarging the size of the both front and rear to 185mm and I am needing a nod the right direction. Suggestions?
Upgrading BB5 Rotors
- Thread starter MikeStanfill
- Start date
You'll need new caliper mounting adapters to match the larger rotors. You should be able to order that all together, pretty straight forward.
avid rotors are expensive from shops. you might be better off buying new BB7 calipers that come with rotors and adaptors.
Avid rotors aren't really that expensive. They are just as much as Hayes rotors and are significantly less than Hope floating and Shimano center lock rotors. A BB5 style "Roundagon" rotor should run you $25-35 and a "Cleansweep" rotor (used for BB7 and hydraulic Avid brakes) should run you $35-45. The two adapters you would need then will run you between $20-25 for the pair. Add it all up and using your current calipers, the conversion would run you $70-100.
In this case however, you may want to just save up and go with the new caliper set. A new set of BB7 (185mm rotors F&R) should run you $125-155 for the set. That will include a new caliper, rotor and adapter. And you'll end up with (with the exception of the levers) a new set of BB7's. If you feel like saving up or have the cash and like the added tool-free adjustments on the BB7 then it's worth the extra cash. If your happy with the BB5 and want to save some cash, it will still be cheaper to just buy rotors and adapters.
In this case however, you may want to just save up and go with the new caliper set. A new set of BB7 (185mm rotors F&R) should run you $125-155 for the set. That will include a new caliper, rotor and adapter. And you'll end up with (with the exception of the levers) a new set of BB7's. If you feel like saving up or have the cash and like the added tool-free adjustments on the BB7 then it's worth the extra cash. If your happy with the BB5 and want to save some cash, it will still be cheaper to just buy rotors and adapters.
Watch out with those specific ones. Avid rotors go 160, 185 and 203mm rotors. Those rotors are 180mm, you'll probably end up cutting into the pads unevenly with those and may end up with some braking issues. That isn't to say however that other cheaper 185mm rotors won't work. Just look around for rotors that have about the same surface area and the same diameter, and you'll be set.
Oh and I do realize that they say on the website that they are compatible with the Avid 185mm rotors. So if you get them and do run into any issues you should be covered. I just like sticking with rotors of the same size and shape.
Oh and I do realize that they say on the website that they are compatible with the Avid 185mm rotors. So if you get them and do run into any issues you should be covered. I just like sticking with rotors of the same size and shape.
Just get some of the Gator rotors from PP like r464 said, and new caliper adapters and you are good.
Be sure to get the right adapters. The adapter used to adapt the front to 203 is used to adapt the rear to 180. I would just order 2 of these and get 203 and 180 rotors. The cost difference is negligible.
Be sure to get the right adapters. The adapter used to adapt the front to 203 is used to adapt the rear to 180. I would just order 2 of these and get 203 and 180 rotors. The cost difference is negligible.
Some other rotor options for cheap:
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=6439&category=15
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=22035&category=15
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=22791&category=15
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=15712&category=15
Presonal favorite:
Oh yeah.. I think avid should still have the polygon rotors stock still.. i've been rockin 'em on my hardtail since 06, and they are still perfect. Doper than the cleansweeps for sure, I think they sweep cleaner.
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=6439&category=15
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=22035&category=15
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=22791&category=15
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=15712&category=15
Presonal favorite:
Oh yeah.. I think avid should still have the polygon rotors stock still.. i've been rockin 'em on my hardtail since 06, and they are still perfect. Doper than the cleansweeps for sure, I think they sweep cleaner.
Only If you have formulas. You might get lucky, im not sure. Best just play it safe and buy the correct brake adapter for your model brake & correct size rotor.