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Thick Brake Rotors?...
 

Thick Brake Rotors? Options?

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Posted by: Speeder

I think some people are just a bit more open minded about the possibilities

Of what, magic?


 
Posted : 18/06/2026 3:35 pm
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Posted by: Speeder

Posted by: tjagain

folk on here have a fundamental misunderstanding of how disc brakes work

I think some people are just a bit more open minded about the possibilities . . .

I for one am well aware of how they work in general, but we're talking about a very specific set of circumstances which may occur and there's anecdotal evidence to support this.

Like chem trails? 😂

 


 
Posted : 18/06/2026 4:04 pm
Onzadog reacted
 Olly
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my understanding was the thicker rotor puts the caliper pistons in an ever so slightly better position in the cylinder, compensating for a minor design flaw/preference really.

Shimano brakes have variable throw through the stroke, to increase the retraction of the pad vs the pressure on the pad. pressumably this is managed at the lever end

ive also heard of people bleeding brakes with slimmer than specced brake blocks in, to get more fluid into the system.

Similar to over filling hope brakes because the diaphram doesnt have enough flex to use all the pad without drawing air.

 

folk on here have a fundamental misunderstanding of how disc brakes work

i think youre only looking at the fundermentals of how disk brakes work, and ignoring the nuances of lever design, seal design,  master and slave cyclinder design, reservoir design and how they all interact with each other


 
Posted : 18/06/2026 4:13 pm
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Posted by: Olly

Shimano brakes have variable throw through the stroke, to increase the retraction of the pad vs the pressure on the pad. pressumably this is managed at the lever end

correct - so this will have no difference at the pad end of the system.  the lever is still working in exactly the same way no matter how far out the pad is at rest.

Same as overfilling the system - all thats doing is setting the pads slightly further out to compensate for sticky pistons.  As soon as you get any wear on the pads then overfilling makes no difference at all.

the basic issue with bicycle discs is that its easier to bend the disc than it is to free a sticky piston so once one piston sticks then the disc is pushed over by the remaining working piston.  Particularly true of Hopes hence the hope way of centralizing pistons.

99% ( made up stat!) of all brake issues are down to sticky pistons.  I lube mine and never have these issues


 
Posted : 18/06/2026 5:53 pm
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I lube mine and never have these issues

Be careful with this. A clean up and smear of fluid is all that is needed.

Over-lubing can make the seal too slippery and stop it retracting the piston as intended 


 
Posted : 18/06/2026 7:29 pm
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Posted by: timba

Over-lubing can make the seal too slippery and stop it retracting the piston as intended 

That's not how disk brakes work. This thread is an incredible archive of fundamental misunderstandings of brakes.


 
Posted : 18/06/2026 10:59 pm
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Posted by: thols2

This thread is an incredible archive of fundamental misunderstandings of brakes.

All to be summarised by ‘Stan’ for years to come 😀


 
Posted : 19/06/2026 8:15 am
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Posted by: thols2

Posted by: timba

Over-lubing can make the seal too slippery and stop it retracting the piston as intended 

That's not how disk brakes work. This thread is an incredible archive of fundamental misunderstandings of brakes.

Well, Magura and Shimano don't mention lubrication

Observe the movement of the pistons: if the pistons move very unevenly or individual pistons do not extend at all, mobilization can help.(Magura)

SRAM, gives the detail,

The application of SRAM Hydraulic Brake Grease on top caliper pistons can cause two issues. Firstly it can cause a slipping of the caliper pistons, which results in intermittent rubbing of the pad on rotors. The second is less than-ideal piston movement - this comes from the caliper design, where a gland is used to allow for piston roll forward and back. If this gland is blocked by debris mixing with the SRAM Hydraulic Brake Grease, it will restrict movement and again cause issues with rubbing.

So which bit of my post is a "fundamental misunderstandings of brakes"?

Formula and Hope do allow a little lube, but that isn't the same as "over-lubing" which was the point of my post ^^

 


 
Posted : 19/06/2026 9:31 am
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Posted by: Rubber_Buccaneer

All to be summarised by ‘Stan’ for years to come

Oh, I'm so looking forward to when Stan is fully trained.


 
Posted : 19/06/2026 11:14 am
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Posted by: thols2

That's not how disk brakes work. This thread is an incredible archive of fundamental misunderstandings of brakes.

I'm not sure you're being as helpful as you think you are . . . .

 


 
Posted : 19/06/2026 2:48 pm
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