Avid disk brakes, which rotor?

[Sully]

I'm considering avid cable-actuated disk brakes, and I see they make the rotors in a couple of different sizes.

Will all three sizes fit just the same?

Is there any real advantage to a larger rotor, other than cooling on long descents?

Is there any reason not to go with the smaller/cheaper 165mm rotors?

[whistler110]

What kind of bike? What kind of riding? What fork?

Larger rotors will have more power (I believe Hayes claims 30% more from 6" to 8" rotor) but can pull the front wheel out of some forks. If you are DHing or FRing go for the larger rotors, If you are doing XC then stick with something around the 6" size.

I don't know the Avids that well but it should be just the mounting adapters that change to run larger rotors.

[vova]

I put the avid's on my Superlight with the 6" on my bike and I love them. Unless you are doing major downhill get the 6".

[sikocycles]

I would do 6" for just cross country riding. If you are a little more aggresive do a 7" up front and 6" in the rear. 8"s are for downhill and freeriding
All the sizes will fit it just comes with a different adapter also some bikes can't accept a 8" in the back

[Freerider661]

All depends on the ridding you do. I do mostly mild dh and fr... i went with the 180mm and i love them. They stop on a dime and don't weigh that much. I will never use anything else. They are super easy to install and adjust... ive tried Xt's, Maguras, Hays, and they all sucked to install and adjust... avids are by far the best. Either way stick with avids you wont regret it.


chad

[JMyerz]

Everyone is right, its just the adapter and the rotor that makes each set different. Try the 6"s and if you hate them you can always buy the larger rotors and adapters.

If your going to get the avid mechs. be sure to get the Avid SD7 brake levers too, that combination is killer and can be found cheap at http://www.pricepoint.com


Justin

[vova]

I take back what I said. i just rode some fun downhill and my front got HOT! I think I need 8" in the front :)

[sloman]

Go with the 185mm BB7's in the front and 160's in the rear. You don't need 185's in the rear if your asking what size rotor you need. :D The 185mm up front will give you better stopping power when you need it and the weight difference between 160mm and 185mm is not worthy of discussion. I use the 185mm bb7 in front, hayes 6" in the rear. a friend has the same setup except he went with the 160mm bb7 in front and there is a noticeable difference in stopping power especially on long descents. He has said many times he should have went 185! But, as others have mentioned, it really depends on you and your riding conditions. I'd rather have the xtra braking power and not need it than need it and not have it... I got mine here: http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=12881

[Jou]

I'm running 8" front and a 6" rear for DH. Going with the 6 in teh rear until i learn to feather better, hope it's soon cause i'm getting an awesome deal on 8" el camino's through a sponsor.

[91Toyota4x4]

I run 7 front/ 6 rear on my trail bike. Been running the rear avid for a few months and just installed the front yesterday. Switched from sucky shimano mechs.

[vova]

I run 7 front/ 6 rear on my trail bike. Been running the rear avid for a few months and just installed the front yesterday. Switched from sucky shimano mechs.
Do they make a 7"? I think it's either 6 or 8".