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I have a rear wheel that uses 6 bolts. I now need a new wheel but the ones that I am looking at only have the centerlock in stock.
Can you just simply swap over to and use a wheel with a centrelock rotor on my existing brake system?
I know I will need to purchase a centerlock rotor for the new wheel, but I just need to know if you can swap and that they are comaptible, cheers.
Yes, just buy a centrelock rotor the same size and you are good to go (or to stop 😂)
You can use an adapter for your existing rotor. Wheel probably comes with it too.
As BearBack says, if not addapters are cheaper than disks.
You might need a tool to fit them, the spanner style BB tool wont fit over the disk, you need the socket style one.
Here you go, just incase the wheel doesn't come with one..
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-centre-lock-adaptor-sm-rtad05-/rp-prod130953
Don’t forget the loctite!
Bloody heathens!!
Centrelock discs seem much more expensive than the 6 bolt ones. Just bought a bargain disc wheel for my commuter and then lost any price advantage buying a bloody centre lock disc....
Ashima do a good adaptor, if your wheel doesn't come with one.
I always buy centrelock hubs and then use a DT Swiss adaptor so I can use 6 bolt rotors.
If you want an adapter I can probably send you one for free
Are there any pros/cons to going over centre lock rotors?
If you want an adapter I can probably send you one for free
If you can, yes please. That's very generous of you.
Are there any pros/cons to going over centre lock rotors?
Quicker to build on a production line.
Depending on the specific hub/rotor combination it's usually a fraction lighter.
Cheaper (because it's the OEM parts that no one wants).
Are there any pros/cons to going over centre lock rotors
That depends on how many knackered rotor bolts you've had to deal with. I'm guessing most of the bike shop mechanics will have seen a few.
Also, some hub/fork combos would have rotor bolts hitting fork lowers.
Pretty impossible for a centre lock disc to come unattached as the brake calliper keeps it in place, whereas six bolts can come loose (never seen it happen mind).
footflaps
Pretty impossible for a centre lock disc to come unattached as the brake calliper keeps it in place, whereas six bolts can come loose (never seen it happen mind).
How does the brake caliper (attached to the fork) keep a centrelock disc (attached to the wheel) in place?
Are there any pros/cons to going over centre lock rotors?
Yes, you can always fit a 6 bolt rotor to a centre lock wheel (with adapter) but you can't do the opposite. Probably only a requirement if you prang the rotor and the shop only has centre lock.
How does the brake caliper (attached to the fork) keep a centrelock disc (attached to the wheel) in place?
For a centrelock disc to come off the wheel it has to slide quite a way to the side (about 10mm) before it comes off the hub. The disc rotates through the brake calliper which is bolted in place to the fork/frame and has an opening 1-2mm wider than the disc. You can't slide the disc off the hub when a wheel is in the fork / frame as the brake pads are in the way.
footflaps
For a centrelock disc to come off the wheel it has to slide quite a way to the side (about 10mm) before it comes off the hub. The disc rotates through the brake calliper which is bolted in place to the fork/frame and has an opening 1-2mm wider than the disc. You can’t slide the disc off the hub when a wheel is in the fork / frame as the brake pads are in the way.
Not sure I'd be citing that as a benefit - and pretty sure I've been able to remove a centrelock disc without taking off the wheel. If anything, having one point of failure as opposed to six makes it less secure.
Are there any pros/cons to going over centre lock rotors?
For the consumer, in my opinion, no benefits either with centerlock rotor or centelock hubs.
I've only got a centerlock hub on one set of wheels because I needed a quick cheap set and being DT factory wheels of the shelf they're centerlock only (shops can get oem versions that are 6 bolt). Got perfectly good one piece 6 bolt rotors so I use an adapter. Cheaper than centerlock rotors.
The DT adapter is a bit rubbish though. It keeps loosening and it's difficult to tighten down enough to grip the disc without play. It won't come off and fine under braking but it's weird when rocking bike back and forth with brake on. Can't tighten on the trail unless I carry a bulky tool with me.
I'm thinking of swapping to Shimano adapter as they appear to bolt the disc onto the adapter, then you screw the adapter onto the hub.
All my other wheels are DT350 hubs that I specced with 6 bolt to avoid this nonsense.
The DT adapter is a bit rubbish though. It keeps loosening and it’s difficult to tighten down enough to grip the disc without play
About 4 wraps of PTFE tape on the splines and you'll be set. Some will turn over and end up in the threads which is also useful
This is my standard practice now and significantly reduces rotor movement and occasional loosening.