6" rear rotor?

[BeTz]

So on my new DH rig I noticed I have a bent rotor on the rear - not sure if it's shuttle damage or from the rock garden when I pinch flatted on the weekend... Thing is, I seem to always be bending rear rotors and I have no idea how.

I was thinking about replacing the 8" rotor with a 6" one and just removing the spacer thingy on the calipers so that it will be less likely to foul on things - can anyone see a problem with that? I have hayes Stroker trails on the new bike - so would any standard 6" rotor fit or would I need one specific to hayes or one even more specific for strokers?

I haven't got a lot of experience with disc brake maintenance on bikes so i'm intrigued to know if this would work. I don't think there would be much of a negative performance wise as I mainly use the fronts for slowing, and I'm sure I could still lock the rear up easily.

Opinions would be appreciated.

[russthedog]

6" will be fine, and tucked more out of the way. because its smaller its stronger too, and lighter. do it, you wont notice the difference on the back anyway

[Jagman]

There are world cup riders using 6" rotors, but I daresay they're off the brakes a lot more than you. 6 inch can work for the rear, and the same calliper will work, but did you know you can straighten rotors with a shifter? Also, depending on how your calliper mounts are setup, you might need a 6 inch specific mount.

[wal]

I notice that when people lay their bike on the ground, their rotors are often touching the dirt. Ive seen a few rotors bent in this way.

Ive been using 7" rotors. I thought about going bigger. But Im happy with their performance.

[Backdoor]

Just go faster and go over those rocks rather than between or around them,
Better for the rear mech too

[BeTz]

Jagman - I just read a little earlier about using a shifter to straighten the discs. I'll give that a shot first, and if it doesn't work I'll put a 6" rotor on the back. I just like the idea of having less stuff to be caught on the evils of rocks and sticks. (talking of which I should be getting an XT Shadow rear mech for the PDC soon).

Oh and backdoor, I tried going that bit faster over the rocks on Sunday and that's how I pinchflatted admittedly I took a really bad line though

[Housey]

From what i've seen hayes stroker and hfx an all those use the same rotor's, v6, v7, v8 etc etc.
If your currently running an 8 inch rotor and wish to change down to a six you will need to change the caliper mount adapter, just removing spacer's probably won't bring your pad contact fully inline with the rotor.

Changing your rear size won't affect your braking, you won't even notice it in WA.

[mike]

If the shifter wont work, try using a 2kg gimpy.

If all else fail, get out the oxy and the sledgy.

[BeTz]

hmmm, somehow I'm cautious of following mike's advice!!! We used to use hammers to bend things at work, i.e. lay some bar flat on the ground and belt the crap out of it along it's whole length and voila, you have a beautifuly rounded toneau (can't remember how to spell it) bar for the back of a ute. I think I'll go the shifter method...

Also, bummer about needing a 6" spacer. Might have a play with the bike when I get home tonight.

[DISSA II]

Sraightened mine on the weekend with two shifters... one to bend the other for twist.
PS. Thanks Doug. Why do you hate my bike?