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Disk brakes
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Can you mix brands when it comes to brakes?
For example put shimano rotors on an Avid system?
Does it fit and will it work?
[Mod. Moved to MTB gear]
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Yes, it is possible in many instances but you need to take care with your set up as it won't work for all brand combinations.
One thing to be aware of is the pad track on the disk. If the pad overhangs the rotor edge, or overlaps the rotor spokes you'll end up with long term problems. Shuddering or pulsing brakes are common with spoke ovelap.
Biggest issue that stops the process dead in the water is that some rotors are larger than the 'standard'. I think it is Shimano 160 rotors are actually 163 mm, so may jam in the caliper of for instance a Hayes.
Rotor thickness can also be an issue....
Have fun experimenting!
I have Avid Cleansweep rotors with my Shimano brakes on my trail bike. However, the pad doesn't quite cover the whole track width.
As slowpup mentioned, I was careful to ensure there was no pad overlap onto the disc rotor spokes. Fortunately no shimming of the caliper required.
I had that happen once on an old commuter bike I no longer have that had Hayes Nne brakes on Hayes adapters with Hayes discs. Since Hayes discs were stupidly soft, I almost ended up wearing through the spokes and by the time I noticed I was close to cutting off the brake track! Lesson learned.
Haven't been near Hayes brakes since. I would hope they've improved their disc material since then because they haven't changed the rotor design. The wear pattern on the bake track was ugly too, some sections ended up thicker than others. Even without the spoke undercutting I'd have had to toss them when I next changed the pads - they only lasted two pad sets.
Avid rotors are 185mm and Shimano are 180mm.
Gave me a few issues on the back of my Chameleon with SLX brakes and avid rotors. Resolved with longer screws and an extra spacer.