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I'm in the process of specing some new wheels and have the option of CL or 6-bolt.
I've currently got 6-bolt but was wondering if there are any benefits of CL or would I be better to stick with what I've got?
Benefits hmm probably not but if you appreciate things that fit together well you'll like centrelocks
Have recently fitted some RT81s and they barely need the lockring to stay in place
Note that if you have a 15/20 mm axle you'll need an external BB-style lockring
Some need 2 tools, front and rear can be cassette tool and BB tool, so me I'm well out. PITA arse for travel for me
centrelock are less of a PITA for taking on and off than 6 bolts for me, that's about it
Apart from the 2 extra tools I'd need to carry, especially flying where weight counts. (personal thing but twice every 6-8 weeks would piss me off)
C/L much less of a PITA to fit and remove.
Both work well, advantages and disadvantages to both.
If your taking it on a plane ever I would say 6 bolt as the tool you need is on your multitool...if not flip a coin
Are the more fancy Shimano Freeza rotors only Centrelock? Thats about as much of an advantage I can think of...
Centrelock...I've had enough of seized in and rounded off hex and torx bolts, I've drilled several out in the past.
On balance, if starting from scratch with a wheelset with an option of either I'd choose centrelock.
Pluses-it is very easy to fit rotors and can you use most standard 6 bolt rotors with an adaptor. I already have the tools as most are done with the cassette tool and those that are bigger use hollowtec BB tool. No more phaffing with bolts which I find very tedious after a while.
Minuses- more difficult to deal with or change on a trail (but when was the last time I had to do that?- oh yes, never) need one/ two extra tools if not already in your tool box. IIRC You can't use Hope floating rotors with the adaptor, or 6 bolt XT rotors if you already have them
Given the choice on the same hub I'd pick centrelock (in fact I just did), it's just easier to use. But I haven't for the last few years because the hubs I wanted didn't take it.
Centrelock hubs tend to be lighter too.
Just realised they don't do the 20mm hub with centrelock so 6-bolt it is..
If your existing wheels are 6 bolt then I'd stick with 6 bolt, as you can swap parts between wheels