Big rotor...

21/07/26 17:18 Filed in: Riding

It feels like the bike industry has pigeon-holed what size rotors each type of bike should be using. I haven't subscribed to this. The most obvious mis-match is my Ripley with 120mm of travel front and rear sporting 200mm rotors front and rear. I didn't do this for better braking - and it might not actually be better braking - I did this so I could quickly and easily swap wheels with my Slash with 170mm of travel and 200mm rotors.
The Ripley runs less aggressive tyres on light-Enduro rims. Perfect for most of what I use the Ripley for. But not perfect for going fast on some of Stromlo's sketchier and more technical trails. Then the full Enduro tyres from the Slash make sense more than the 170mm of travel on the Slash do - the hybrid is the fast and fun option.
One could conceive of a day when I'd like the lighter wheel and tyre combo on the Ripley underneath the Slash, but so far that day hasn't come.
What the big rotors on the Ripley have taught me is gentle brake use. If I pull the lever hard the wheel will lock up instantly. There is much more power than there is traction. It also means I can drag a brake and not overheat anything. Those big rotors shed heat well.
My Sender also sports oversized rotors in the form of 220mm front and rear. That feels less oversized today than it did 4 years ago when I put them on. The Sender came with dual 200s, and I didn't even try them. I knew it was destined for 220s before I ordered it. And on most trails it also has more power than traction.

There is an upside to mostly having too much braking power. When I ran into the 'roo a year ago, I yanked hard on the brakes to try to slow down. But not so hard as to crash even while avoiding the hopping animal. My fingers are very sensitive to braking force now after several years of running big rotors.
Rather than ride around relying on my hand strength to stop, or on incredible brakes like the SRAM Mavens, I have created a good system that works well for me through a more regular brake (Guide on Ripley, Code on Slash and Sender) on a big rotor.
And practice. Practice. Practice.

Michael Hanslip Coaching

If you want to go faster, you have to pedal harder

Big rotor...