Problem with new Shimano XT Brakes using another brand Rotor!

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by 1SickFury, Nov 2, 2011.

  1. 1SickFury

    1SickFury New Member

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    So I just recieved a set of the new 2012 Shimano XT M785 Disc Brakes. I read on many forums that although the Shimano pads have a narrower brake track they will work with any rotor of equivelant size (ie:160, 180, 203)So I mounted them up on my bike and kept my 203mm Alligator wavy rotors, then did some sprints to bed in the pads. Well when I got it back to the garage I noticed on the low points of the rotor the contact point with the pad narrows significantly. Is it ok to ride like this or should I get some rounder rotors which will maximize the brake surface???
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. bing!

    bing! Active Member

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    None issue. The pads arent even bedded in evenly yet. Although the waviness may take away from max braking power, its probably not much. The wavy rotors will scavenge dust out. Thats a good thing.
     
  3. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    I have a brand new set of XTR Trails and I am running Magura Storm SL rotors (180 and 160). No problems whatsoever. Great performance. Quiet and strong.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 2, 2011
  4. scan

    scan Member

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    any reason you're not using the ice tech rotors?
     
  5. 1SickFury

    1SickFury New Member

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    Well aside from them being around $70 each rotor, I read on many forums that the shimano brakes would work with any other standard size rotor sao I figured I'd keep my current rotors for now.
     
  6. 1SickFury

    1SickFury New Member

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    Do you have similar wear on your Storm rotors where the braking surface gets narrower along the outside of the rotor??
     
  7. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    You using Shimano Adapters?

    I am curious if there is difference in the Magura and Shimano adapters
     
  8. 1SickFury

    1SickFury New Member

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    Yeah I was wonderin the same thing, but I found a thread on another forum where a guy said he was using Magura Adapters with his Shimano brakes and it worked fine. I would get the Shimano adapters but they're freakin $40 each. What would merit a small piece of metal costing so much, when I bought the Magura adapters for around $10 each.
     
  9. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    Well it may vary from rotor to rotor if it will work or not.
     
  10. JJ Holiday

    JJ Holiday New Member

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    I had a similar problem using non-Shimano adapters with my Magura rotors and XTR trail brakes. I bought Shimano adapters and it fixed it. Someone told me to try 180 adapters with 203 rotors, but it was just the adapters that weren't compatible. I'm not sure if trying 180 adapters would work or not, but it might be worth a try. Shimano and Magura adapters should be the same though..
     
  11. scottay

    scottay New Member

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    Is the high point of the rotor hitting the high/top of the pad? If not, you definitely need to lower the caliper with a lower adapter.
    If its already using the whole pad surface, you may not be able to lower it as the rotor may hit the caliper body.
    You say they have "a narrower brake track", does that mean the pads arent as tall as others? Maybe the stock rotors
    have a matching narrow(er) disc surface for less rotating weight?
    .
    .
     
  12. thephat

    thephat Active Member

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    As long as the full pad is sometimes touching the rotor, you should be fine. If not, you will get a lip on the pad that can cause some issues. Did you run those rotors with your old brakes? If so, was it any different.
     
  13. XTC29er

    XTC29er New Member

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    I recently changed to the 2012 xt brakes as well. I started off with Sram Cleansweep rotors. I was talked into purchasing the ICE Rotors. The Ice Rotors greatly improved the braking.
     
  14. 1SickFury

    1SickFury New Member

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    The Shimano pads are narrower than most other brakes as you can see here:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    So if my old Hayes Stroker pads were occupying the full rotor surface the shimano's cover less, and yeah I used a light to get a good look in the caliper and it looks like the high points of the rotor are flush with the top of the pads.
     
  15. moto knight

    moto knight New Member

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    Im running the magura SL rotors and adapters with my new xt 785's work great. xt's were night and day over my elixer R's
     
  16. asphaltsucks

    asphaltsucks New Member

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    I am running Avid rotors with the new XT's and I don't have that issue. I am running Shimano adaptors though.
     
  17. 1SickFury

    1SickFury New Member

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    I wanted to get the Shimano adapters to make sure the calipers are correctly positioned, but they sell for around $40 each here in the states, and not only that but I can't find a 203m Post mount adapter on any website other than CRC. CRC (ChainReactionCycles.com) has them for around $10 but they are on backorder.
    [​IMG]
     
  18. socalbrodie

    socalbrodie Member

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    The surface area is probably less at your higher spots, due to the larger holes there....
     
  19. AaronTheGiant

    AaronTheGiant Member

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    I currently run 2012 xt with Cleansweep G3 rotors as well. You mean you saw noticeable difference in braking power with Ice Tech rotors?
     
  20. lucky13biker

    lucky13biker New Member

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    i have the 2012 xts and love them, i have the ice rotors on there and they make a big difference! defiantly worth the extra cost
     

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