Disco Brakes rotor

The venerable Shimano M525 front brake on the Rockhopper had been getting a bit sketchy, which I put down to the original rotor that was visibly concave after 8 years of continous use over two bikes, so time for a new rotor.  In my usual style of preferring industrial kit, I found that Disco Brakes were knocking out no-frills 160mm rotors for £8. Well, what’s in a rotor? You have to be able to produce a flat metal disc with holes drilled in the right places, if you can’t get that right, go and do something else.

Out of the packet, it was a plain and simple hunk o’ metal, but far more drilled out than the Shimano rotor.  Bolted on with no problems using the old bolts – rotor did not come with bolts.  I used threadlock in lieu of the Shimano “rotor tightening” plates, which I have always found to be a pain in the backside.  The wheel side of the rotor has a few sharp edges, but the outer/circumference edges of the disc are bevelled, which I thought a very nice touch, and the rotor was remarkably true.  A quick reset of the caliper had the wheel spinning with absolutely no pad dragging noises, and a nice firm lever feel.

Braking was merely OK at first, but I was venturing into a downpour with old pads that needed to settle into the new disc.  A bit of howling, but as I wasn’t the only one getting that, I put it down to the rain.  By the end of the ride, braking felt very positive, good bite, certainly enough power to pitch over the front if you really felt the need, and I felt comfortable going down stuff a little faster than of late.  I’m very happy with the outcome.

Considering that a new Avid branded disc for the Elixirs on the Five cost about £30 after I bounced one off a rock, I’ll be looking at Disco when I have to buy again.