Shimano Calipers and non-shimano rotors - OK or not?

kenmc

My MTB brakes have been squealing since last year, and now that the long evenings are coming again I want to get it ready for evening spins.

I've replaced the pads, bled the lines and STILL they squeal like something being tortured. Very annoying. Have cleaned the rotors with isopropyl alcohol also, but still not joy. So am going to replace the rotors to see if THAT helps.

So can I use something other than shimano rotors with my Deore calipers (obviously with the same diameter and bolt pattern)?
e.g. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=52350 is 10 GBP a pop cheaper than
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=756
in 160mm size that I need.
Ta
K

at1withmyself

Should be fine, as you say once the correct bolt pattern and diameter is selected then its compatible.

I think there is something about Hope's floating rotors which have compatibility issue's otherwise you'll be fine.

kenmc

Ok, so following on from this, I've replaced the rotors and pads and still I have squeeling brakes, and it appears that at least the back brake is leaking oil since I can see a thin film of oil and some bubbles when I have the pads out and pull the lever. So I'm going to replace the rear caliper/pads/rotors this time.

I can't find a direct replacement for my Deore M555, so the next best cheapest I can find is SLX. I require a IS to PostMount adaptor to fit this to my bike, so was thinking that I might as well upsize to 180s by buying a 180 adaptor and rotor to go with it.

Anyone see any missing logic in my idea? I'm hardly likely to need new wheels as well due to increased torque or anything?

Cheers
K

at1withmyself

kenmc wrote: »

Ok, so following on from this, I've replaced the rotors and pads and still I have squeeling brakes, and it appears that at least the back brake is leaking oil since I can see a thin film of oil and some bubbles when I have the pads out and pull the lever. So I'm going to replace the rear caliper/pads/rotors this time.

I can't find a direct replacement for my Deore M555, so the next best cheapest I can find is SLX. I require a IS to PostMount adaptor to fit this to my bike, so was thinking that I might as well upsize to 180s by buying a 180 adaptor and rotor to go with it.

Anyone see any missing logic in my idea? I'm hardly likely to need new wheels as well due to increased torque or anything?

Cheers
K

No you'll be fine once you change the calipar and rotor to the same diameter. I just recently done the same on my rear brake and went from 160 to 140.

triggermortis

If you're going to upgrade the rotor size, you'll be better off putting a larger one on the front to get better braking.
I swapped out my hayes brakes for shimano for similar reasons to you and haven't looked back. I put a 180 rotor on the front and kept 160 on the back

kenmc

triggermortis wrote: »

If you're going to upgrade the rotor size, you'll be better off putting a larger one on the front to get better braking.
I swapped out my hayes brakes for shimano for similar reasons to you and haven't looked back. I put a 180 rotor on the front and kept 160 on the back

I know what you're saying, but I don't want to spend too much until I know for sure what the issue is with the squealing. I *need* a new back brake, I don't *need* a new front one yet cos I don't think it's leaking. Although what I might do is get a IS to IS adaptor and then I can just reposition the front one to give me 180 clearance.
From what I can see, all the setups seem to come prebled with lever and caliper ready to attach to bike, so it'd be very awkward to try and reposition the old front one to the back

gman2k

You won't notice a huge amount of difference going from say 160 to 180 on the rear.
And upgrading the front is definitely the way to go! But, most fork manufacturers only recommend going up to 180mm max.

triggermortis

kenmc wrote: »

I know what you're saying, but I don't want to spend too much until I know for sure what the issue is with the squealing. I *need* a new back brake, I don't *need* a new front one yet cos I don't think it's leaking. Although what I might do is get a IS to IS adaptor and then I can just reposition the front one to give me 180 clearance.
From what I can see, all the setups seem to come prebled with lever and caliper ready to attach to bike, so it'd be very awkward to try and reposition the old front one to the back

You probably will find that the hose is too short to put a front brake on the rear, and the levers may be handed - ie the left one has to go on the left to keep the reservoir the right way up.

kenmc

yeah exactly thats what I meant, I don't want to have to disassemble the prebled one to get it to fit with the old hose and lever.
Will spend a bit more time examining my options, Merlin have some on sale so maybe i can get them there depending on shipping