New 160mm XC Galfer Shark disc brake rotors convey gravity-inspired brake efficiency all the way down to shorter journey bikes, too. With the identical design that includes heat-dissipating fins, the brand new smaller-diameter (and thinner) Shark rotors promise extra constant brake efficiency for cross-country, marathon, and downcountry bikes now, in addition to potential weight financial savings. We’ve dropped a number of grams off certainly one of our mild path bikes this winter, with none lack of braking efficiency…
Galfer Shark 160mm, light-weight 1.8mm disc brake rotors
Final 12 months, Spanish brake maker Galfer launched their Shark disc brake rotors to scale back brake temperature and cut back brake fade for DH & Enduro racers – in 180, 203 & 223mm diameters x 2.0mm thick. However now a lighter, smaller diameter 160mm model brings that efficiency increase to XC & Downcountry riders, too.
Tech particulars
The XC rotors function the very same structure, with small spherical perforations within the braking floor so as to add extra space for warmth dissipation, huge cutouts within the braking floor & an outer wave form to clear particles, and the inward-facing Shark fins for much more warmth dissipation. The rotors are lower from high-carbon chrome steel in Spain, simply now within the thinner 1.8mm thickness applicable for light-weight mountain bike brake calipers.
They’re additionally nonetheless solely out there as 6-bolt, a little bit of an impediment as many lighter XC & downcountry bikes have moved to the lighter centerlock hub customary. However Galfer does additionally promote alloy centerlock adapters.
Galfer claims a weight of simply 104g per rotor, though our take a look at rotors each weighed in a tad heavier at 106g a bit.
Braking Efficiency: Downsize with out sacrificing braking
Galfer bought us on the thought of the brand new 160mm rotors, as providing higher efficiency in comparison with different 160mm rotors. Along with their brake pads, Galfer says their Shark rotors ship larger friction for 5-10% extra brake energy, an 8% discount in stress required on the brake lever to get max energy, and a 30% discount in rotor temperature (vs. all however one competitor… surprise which one?). Curiously, all of these efficiency upgrades are evaluating a 1.8mm thick 180mm Shark rotor in opposition to different 1.8x180mm rotors – however for now the 1.8mm Shark rotor is barely out there in 160mm. Present 180mm Shark rotors are 2mm thick for heavier, longer-travel brakes.
In any case, Galfer satisfied me to swap the Shimano XT 180/160mm rotor mixture out on my Canyon Lux Path, for a lighter 160/160mm Shark rotor setup.
How a lot weight did I save?
On shifting to 160mm rotors alone – a 126g 180mm XT entrance & 114g 160mm XT rear – I saved 28g. Apparently, swapping within the 10g (f) & 19g (r) Shimano pads I spotted that my bike had an aluminum-backed set of pads within the post-mount entrance brake and steel-backed pads within the flat-mount rear brake – each 2-piston XT.
So switching to crimson steel-backed Galfer pads (19g f/15g r) really added 8g to my setup. I did lose a 12g 160-180mm adapter on the fork, and dropped one other 7g with shorter bolts that have been wanted. So ultimately, I had a web discount of 39g. That’s not nothing, however not an enormous financial savings.
The draw back right here would in all probability be should you solely have centerlock wheels. My lightest wheelset for the Lux Path is centerlock, and placing these rotors on them would imply including an additional 32g per wheel, clearly erasing all of the financial savings and extra. Curiously, the load variations between XT rotors I’ve for 6-bolt & centerlock are negligible. As an alternative, I put the Galfer Shark rotors on a set of alloy Hunt Path Extensive wheels I experience on the bike with meatier tread for looser circumstances.
So was it value it?
First Impressions – Driving Galfer Shark XC 160mm rotors
After a correct bed-in of the brakes on dry pavement with hillclimb internals, I headed out to hit the path to check out the brand new brake setup. With a break in winter circumstances, I did a minimum of get to check the brand new Shark rotors out on grime (mud?) peeking out of the snow – correct Leatt Mono Swimsuit circumstances. However I can’t actually say a lot about warmth build-up simply but.
Brake chew and energy positively really feel good, although. The brand new rotors delivered assured braking efficiency, and with Galfer pads predictable modulation, over a mixture of damp to moist circumstances. No noticeable discount in energy, even with the downsized entrance rotor. The texture of the brakes on the lever additionally does really feel good, though I can’t quantify whether it is certainly lower than my inventory XT brakes. The entrance brake particularly is squealing a bit below exhausting braking, however just about each setup does that after I experience it by means of muddy bogs lined with ice & snow.
Do the smaller, lighter Galfer Shark XC rotors brake higher than the Shimano XT setup?
I actually can’t actually inform the distinction to date. And that’s a fairly good factor. I had no complaints with the XT rotors & pads, and to date the lighter Galfer setup appears to work simply as properly.
Galfer Shark XC – Pricing, availability & choices
The brand new smaller, thinner Galfer Shark XC rotors are at the moment out there in just one measurement, focused at XC & Marathon bikes, and even Downcountry & light-weight Path builds – 160mm diameter x 1.8mm thick. The rotors are made in Europe and retail for 90€, together with VAT.
Presumably, a future 1.8mm thick model in 180mm diameter is perhaps out there. However for now, you both have to downsize to 160mm entrance & rear, or examine to see if the thicker gravity-oriented 2mm rotor will slot in your entrance brake caliper.
I had initially thought I’d swap in one of many thicker 180mm rotors on this mild path bike. However for now with no noticeable discount in braking energy, I’ll hold the smaller Shark rotors on the Lux Path and see how they deal with warmth and extra sustained braking as soon as the paths dry and the climate warms up.
