Disc Brakes and Wheel Interchangeability

[Baconman]

I've been thinking about getting a second set of wheels to run studs in the winter and some meatier tires in the summer. I'd like to be able to quickly interchange wheels (without reshimming the brakes). The bike has XTR brakes and hubs. Can I expect that any hubs with Shimano discs are interchangeable or do I need Shimano hubs?

[steve_b]

XTR disc brakes use a propritary Shimano splined hub. (What a suprise). ::)

[Baconman]

What I had in mind involved XT rotors with the standard bolt pattern in place of the proprietary splined type. What I'm concerned about is the side to side position of the rotor. Will other hubs (CK, Hugi, etc) position the rotor in the same place, or will I have to manually move the pads or reshim the caliper for the brakes to work properly?

[C.P.]

I'm pretty sure this will work. I know that you can run XTR calipers on CK hubs/IS 6 Bolt XT discs, so based on that fact, I would think it could work. I'll check IS disc hub dimensions and compare with XTR disc hub dimensions, and let you know...

[steve_b]

I would think most non-shimano XTR hubs (Hope, Hugi, King, Deore, XT) would all position the rotor in a similar place. But it would probably be better to have the same hubs on both wheelsets, regardless of a rim choice. You defintely don't want to have to add or remove spacers to the caliper mounts everytime you swap out the wheelset.

I have always used Shimano hubs, and haven't had a problem. I'm sure someone else on the forum can provide better input on any potential difference between the brands.

[johnbryanpeters]

I have two wheelsets with hubs from different manufacturers. There is just enough of a difference to be a giant pain in the ass.

I was running Magura Julies, which use shims between the caliper and the mounting bosses, and finally got frustrated enough to switch to Hayes, which don't use shims, and centering the calipers on the rotor is a cinch.

Once adjusted, both manufacturer's brakes worked equally well; the Julies are simple and well integrated, but a pain to shim; the Hayes are a little Rube Goldberg but easier to maintain.

[C.P.]

Okay, after emailing my friend Tom, the answer is a firm MAYBE. He states, all major disc brake manufacturers adhere to the ISO standards for the position of the disc on the hub. However, there is always some variation in casting and machining for the front fork and the rear triangle tabs where the caliper is mounted. Unfortunately, the XTR system uses thin shims between the frame and the caliper to position the caliper correctly. Because of that, the probability is that you will have to change shims to get the exact fit for different wheel sets (sets that will likely be different then the XTR rotorlock hub spacing). However, you may get lucky and have two wheels that have the disc exactly (within 1/4 mm) in the same position, and that will take experimentation...


OR - as JBP suggests, some disc brake manf'rs make their calipers easily adjusted (avid & some hayes models)...you could cetainly try that - but the results may be a little frustrating if the brakes don't work perfectly... and I know you don't want to change out those swanky XTR calipers...

If you have the means, build a second set of wheels using some shimano rotorlock hubs - all the 04 XT/XTR hubs are coming this way...
http://www.bikeman.com/miva/merchant.mv?&Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BOS&Category_C ode=COMPHUMTNDSHM

[Baconman]

Thanks Steve, JPB and CP for your good advice. Seems like sticking with the Shimano hub is the easy way to go. Or just changing the tires on my current wheels.

[C.P.]

This just in - IF you run a shimano 6 bolt IS campat hub and and use the SHIMANO RT-75 rotor - it should work.
Good news too - bc you can find shimano IS 6 Bolt disc hub wheelsets for cheap!

[charlieb]

after you get your second set of wheels... shim the rotors on one of them so they are both "equal" .. or get brakes that are easily adjustable like the avid mechanicals. I use magura and they require shims which makes interchangeability difficult at best.

charlie

[radair]

I have two wheelsets with hubs from different manufacturers. There is just enough of a difference to be a giant pain in the ass.

I have two wheelsets with hubs from different manufacturers. With Avid mechanicals, it's a quick & easy adjustment with a 5 mm wrench.

[Baconman]

I bought the second set of wheels. To be safe I went with another set of XTR hubs. When I installed the wheels the new rotors weren't in the exact plane as the old rotors and there was a minute amount of rub. After applying the brakes (XTR) on and off for 30 seconds the rub disappeared.

Tomorrow I'm taking the studded Nokian Extremes to Arcadia. I'll be the idiot looking for ice on the trail.