Front brake rotor replacement

[TenSpeed]

After doing some part swapping between my two bikes, I have ended up with a bit of overkill on my front rotor. I am running a 203mm Avid rotor on a medium Specialized Camber with Avid Elixir CR hydraulics on it. It works fine but is a bit of overkill for me. I am wondering about swapping to a 185 or possibly a 160 rotor up front, and was wondering about people's experiences with them. Is it enough? I am about 205lbs or so, and I tend to use my brakes a lot.

On my last ride, I lost the lower caliper mounting bolt, and the caliper ended up smashing into the rotor, and dragged as I hit the brakes when I noticed that it was gone. I am concerned that I may have damaged the rotor by possibly putting an unnecessary groove in it. I looked at it when I got home, but don't really trust myself enough to know if it is damaged or not.

Also, does anyone have any feedback on Alligator brand rotors? The price of course, is very appealing. However, I am not ready to sacrifice quality, and will stay with my 203 Avid if it is a better rotor.

[c0nsumer]

I'm about 190 (probably 200+ riding weight) and I use 160mm rotors front and rear without issue on a 29er. A number of folks that I ride with are low to mid 200s and do the same. For the kind of stuff that you're likely to ride I'd say you'd be fine with that size.

[utabintarbo]

I am a bit bigger than you guys ( ), and 160's work for all but the edge conditions (going really, really fast downhill).

[ColorVoyeur]

I've never had a stopping issue with 160s and I'm about 250lbs with gear.
The issue with smaller rotors isn't really stopping power, it's fade over long sections of braking due to heat issues. If you're not braking for more than a quick turn here and there, 160s shouldn't be a problem. If you're dragging your brakes down a 2 minute sustained downhill at 25 mph, you're going to want something larger.

[BigMike]

I thought brakes where for corners not downhills

[utabintarbo]

I thought brakes where for corners not downhills

What about downhills coming up to a curve? Or a road crossing?

[iamkickstand]

185 front and 160 rear on my trail bike
203 front and 185 rear on my DH bike

Never had a problem. I'm about 175lbs this season. Never had a brake fade problem on the trail bike even when riding some pretty sustained downhill with it. No reason for an XC bike you need a rotor that big.

Considering adding a 203 to the back of the DH bike, but the 185 on the trail bike is plenty of brake in all situations.

I'm running Juicy 5's or 7's on the trail bike, and elxir something or others on the dh

[Di_bear]

I am a bit bigger than you guys ( ), and 160's work for all but the edge conditions (going really, really fast downhill).

You're not supposed to use your brakes when going really, really fast downhill, so problem solved. Just go with the flow, Bob.

[Di_bear]

I thought brakes where for corners not downhills

Rear brake.

[RMXByker]

I am a bit bigger than you guys ( ), and 160's work for all but the edge conditions (going really, really fast downhill).

You're not supposed to use your brakes when going really, really fast downhill, so problem solved. Just go with the flow, Bob.

I don't know about you Di, but I don't want Bob running me over on a downhil...

[Laser4G63]

Brakes? You don't need no stinking brakes!

[Di_bear]

I am a bit bigger than you guys ( ), and 160's work for all but the edge conditions (going really, really fast downhill).

You're not supposed to use your brakes when going really, really fast downhill, so problem solved. Just go with the flow, Bob.

I don't know about you Di, but I don't want Bob running me over on a downhil...

If you quit being a wussy and let go of the brakes, he won't.

[RMXByker]

I am a bit bigger than you guys ( ), and 160's work for all but the edge conditions (going really, really fast downhill).

You're not supposed to use your brakes when going really, really fast downhill, so problem solved. Just go with the flow, Bob.

I don't know about you Di, but I don't want Bob running me over on a downhil...

If you quit being a wussy and let go of the brakes, he won't.

Hey now...he has quite the mass advantage on me when it comes to the downhills and since we don't live in a vacuum, he is likely to approach me quicker...

[xcrdr]

Better keep them big rotors on for Brown County. I ain't gonna pick splinters outta yer butt. Maybe Jon will.

[RMXByker]

Better keep them big rotors on for Brown County. I ain't gonna pick splinters outta yer butt. Maybe Jon will.

Oh man...that sounds like a bad deal to me!!!