6-bolt vs centre-lock: pros and cons?

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13
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I am having a new set of wheels built, and am trying to decide on whether to go with 6-bolt or centre-lock rotor interface.



What are the pros and cons of the two systems?







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  • 2




    My gut instinct is that 6 bolt is more common, but that's only a small benefit in economics and finding parts. Also, tiny torx screws seem to be hard to get out sometimes - are centerlock rotors easier to remove after duty ? Not posted as an answer because its just not.
    – Criggie
    Sep 3 at 1:48















up vote
13
down vote

favorite












I am having a new set of wheels built, and am trying to decide on whether to go with 6-bolt or centre-lock rotor interface.



What are the pros and cons of the two systems?







share|improve this question
















  • 2




    My gut instinct is that 6 bolt is more common, but that's only a small benefit in economics and finding parts. Also, tiny torx screws seem to be hard to get out sometimes - are centerlock rotors easier to remove after duty ? Not posted as an answer because its just not.
    – Criggie
    Sep 3 at 1:48













up vote
13
down vote

favorite









up vote
13
down vote

favorite











I am having a new set of wheels built, and am trying to decide on whether to go with 6-bolt or centre-lock rotor interface.



What are the pros and cons of the two systems?







share|improve this question












I am having a new set of wheels built, and am trying to decide on whether to go with 6-bolt or centre-lock rotor interface.



What are the pros and cons of the two systems?









share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Sep 2 at 22:56









NPE

262210




262210







  • 2




    My gut instinct is that 6 bolt is more common, but that's only a small benefit in economics and finding parts. Also, tiny torx screws seem to be hard to get out sometimes - are centerlock rotors easier to remove after duty ? Not posted as an answer because its just not.
    – Criggie
    Sep 3 at 1:48













  • 2




    My gut instinct is that 6 bolt is more common, but that's only a small benefit in economics and finding parts. Also, tiny torx screws seem to be hard to get out sometimes - are centerlock rotors easier to remove after duty ? Not posted as an answer because its just not.
    – Criggie
    Sep 3 at 1:48








2




2




My gut instinct is that 6 bolt is more common, but that's only a small benefit in economics and finding parts. Also, tiny torx screws seem to be hard to get out sometimes - are centerlock rotors easier to remove after duty ? Not posted as an answer because its just not.
– Criggie
Sep 3 at 1:48





My gut instinct is that 6 bolt is more common, but that's only a small benefit in economics and finding parts. Also, tiny torx screws seem to be hard to get out sometimes - are centerlock rotors easier to remove after duty ? Not posted as an answer because its just not.
– Criggie
Sep 3 at 1:48











6 Answers
6






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
16
down vote



accepted










Centerlock largely exists because since the beginning of modern disc brakes for bikes, Shimano has more or less alone had a weird cautionary take on the physics of rotor bolts theoretically being able to loosen in the six-bolt design. That's why their six-bolt rotors have always come with various retention systems for the bolts that nobody else bothers with.
Shimano rotor hardware



Centerlock doesn't accomplish anything special and doesn't allow for lighter hubs or rotors (at least in a meaningful sense). Shimano rotors are excellent so it's not like you're trapped if you have centerlock hubs, but you do have fewer options, and centerlock rotors are inherently more expensive at the low end because they can't just be flat pieces of steel.



Centerlock has the disadvantage that carrying a lockring tool plus something to turn it isn't practical, so the best you can do if you severely bend a rotor on a ride is undo the caliper mounting bolts and try to hang the caliper out of the way, which is awkward. Even though the risk here is small and theoretical, it's enough of a potential day ruiner that given centerlock has little to no functional advantage, there's an argument to avoid it if all else is equal. The catch is that all else is often not equal, because Shimano hubs are some of the best value choices.



Six-bolt does have the disadvantage that bolts getting seized, heads getting stripped, and/or hub threads getting damaged are all things that happen sometimes, whereas centerlock tends to be free from any such problems. Having one big high-torque fastener does create a more reliable interface in that sense. But it's a pretty fringe concern; six-bolt is perfectly robust and very few people will ever have to deal a seized rotor bolt. However, in all fairness it can be a difficult enough problem to deal with when it does happen that centerlock usually looks pretty good by the second hour in.






share|improve this answer





























    up vote
    10
    down vote













    Advantages of 6-bolt:



    • Not being patented by Shimano means more vendors offer compatible wheels/disks.

    • Torx bolts require a smaller tool which is often included in many multi-tools so one can always have one on the road.

    Advantages of Centerlock:



    • Faster installation and removal with a cassette tool; no need to fiddle with 6 separate bolts

    • No need to have an extra tool, use the same cassette removal tool.





    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      8
      down vote













      A couple more pros of centre lock:



      Finned rotors



      One big difference is that you can't get the finned Shimano Ice-Tech rotors used on the road bike groupsets in a 6-bolt configuration. E.g:



      Dura Tech Ice Tech Freeza



      or



      IceTech SM-RT99 Centerlock Rotors



      I've had brake fade on my Shimano RS685/785 set up on descents in Wales and wanted to try the finned rotors, but my hubs are 6-bolt.



      You can make a centre lock rotor take a 6 bolt rotor, but not the other way round



      This is pro and a con: Shimano do an adaptor to run 6 bolt rotors on a centre-lock hub (SM-RTAD05), which is great for choice. But, I'd be slightly wary of this approach, because any misalignment or opportunities for vibration in a disc brake setup can cause brake squealing or shudder, and while I'm sure Shimano have tested these adaptors very well, it's a fair engineering assumption that the more interfaces and separate parts there are the more chances for misalignment there are.



      Shimano Centre Lock Adaptor (SM-RTAD05)



      For me, I'd go 6 bolt on a mountain bike, because of the wider availability of 6 bolt rotors and the trail-side repairability, but centre locks on a road bike for the increased cooling and because they look a bit neater next to the more delicate road bike forks/chainstays (that last reason is subjective!).






      share|improve this answer


















      • 1




        Good point - do you know why finned rotors are not available in 6 bolt format ?
        – Criggie
        Sep 4 at 11:31

















      up vote
      7
      down vote













      One disadvantage of 6 bolt is that you can torque one side just a bit more than the other which can cause the rotor to be just a bit warped.



      Center-lock torques evenly by design so there’s no risk.






      share|improve this answer




















      • Can be avoided with a torque wrench.
        – Michael
        Sep 4 at 9:11

















      up vote
      2
      down vote













      If you’ve ever stripped a torx bolt on a 6-bolt, you will have your answer for why people run centerlock. I will add a small disadvantage to centerlock is boost conversion on the rear. MRP sells kits for the front that use a caliper adapter to offset the rotor on the front, but nobody sells conversions for centerlock rears. You could in theory convert it to 6-bolt and then use the boost adapters, but 2 adapter kits is where I draw the line and sell my sweet DT 240.






      share|improve this answer
















      • 1




        Wow, you really need quite some force to destroy those bolts. Use adequate force and threadlocker adhesive. Best would be a torque wrench of course.
        – Michael
        Sep 4 at 9:14






      • 1




        @Michael I've sheared rotor bolts - admittedly they were cheap rubbish but didn't need a huge amount of leverage, just ratty steel and poor thread preparation. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/45092
        – Criggie
        Sep 4 at 11:47










      • @Michael Rounding off a shallow T25 head is not really that difficult if the bolt is seized, and it's a real nightmare to put right.
        – Will Vousden
        Sep 5 at 9:27


















      up vote
      1
      down vote













      Adding to existing answers ... 6 bolt rotors can be shimmed to make rotors on two different wheels fit in the calipers without having to re-align. That's not possible on center-lock hubs.






      share|improve this answer




















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        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes








        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        16
        down vote



        accepted










        Centerlock largely exists because since the beginning of modern disc brakes for bikes, Shimano has more or less alone had a weird cautionary take on the physics of rotor bolts theoretically being able to loosen in the six-bolt design. That's why their six-bolt rotors have always come with various retention systems for the bolts that nobody else bothers with.
        Shimano rotor hardware



        Centerlock doesn't accomplish anything special and doesn't allow for lighter hubs or rotors (at least in a meaningful sense). Shimano rotors are excellent so it's not like you're trapped if you have centerlock hubs, but you do have fewer options, and centerlock rotors are inherently more expensive at the low end because they can't just be flat pieces of steel.



        Centerlock has the disadvantage that carrying a lockring tool plus something to turn it isn't practical, so the best you can do if you severely bend a rotor on a ride is undo the caliper mounting bolts and try to hang the caliper out of the way, which is awkward. Even though the risk here is small and theoretical, it's enough of a potential day ruiner that given centerlock has little to no functional advantage, there's an argument to avoid it if all else is equal. The catch is that all else is often not equal, because Shimano hubs are some of the best value choices.



        Six-bolt does have the disadvantage that bolts getting seized, heads getting stripped, and/or hub threads getting damaged are all things that happen sometimes, whereas centerlock tends to be free from any such problems. Having one big high-torque fastener does create a more reliable interface in that sense. But it's a pretty fringe concern; six-bolt is perfectly robust and very few people will ever have to deal a seized rotor bolt. However, in all fairness it can be a difficult enough problem to deal with when it does happen that centerlock usually looks pretty good by the second hour in.






        share|improve this answer


























          up vote
          16
          down vote



          accepted










          Centerlock largely exists because since the beginning of modern disc brakes for bikes, Shimano has more or less alone had a weird cautionary take on the physics of rotor bolts theoretically being able to loosen in the six-bolt design. That's why their six-bolt rotors have always come with various retention systems for the bolts that nobody else bothers with.
          Shimano rotor hardware



          Centerlock doesn't accomplish anything special and doesn't allow for lighter hubs or rotors (at least in a meaningful sense). Shimano rotors are excellent so it's not like you're trapped if you have centerlock hubs, but you do have fewer options, and centerlock rotors are inherently more expensive at the low end because they can't just be flat pieces of steel.



          Centerlock has the disadvantage that carrying a lockring tool plus something to turn it isn't practical, so the best you can do if you severely bend a rotor on a ride is undo the caliper mounting bolts and try to hang the caliper out of the way, which is awkward. Even though the risk here is small and theoretical, it's enough of a potential day ruiner that given centerlock has little to no functional advantage, there's an argument to avoid it if all else is equal. The catch is that all else is often not equal, because Shimano hubs are some of the best value choices.



          Six-bolt does have the disadvantage that bolts getting seized, heads getting stripped, and/or hub threads getting damaged are all things that happen sometimes, whereas centerlock tends to be free from any such problems. Having one big high-torque fastener does create a more reliable interface in that sense. But it's a pretty fringe concern; six-bolt is perfectly robust and very few people will ever have to deal a seized rotor bolt. However, in all fairness it can be a difficult enough problem to deal with when it does happen that centerlock usually looks pretty good by the second hour in.






          share|improve this answer
























            up vote
            16
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            16
            down vote



            accepted






            Centerlock largely exists because since the beginning of modern disc brakes for bikes, Shimano has more or less alone had a weird cautionary take on the physics of rotor bolts theoretically being able to loosen in the six-bolt design. That's why their six-bolt rotors have always come with various retention systems for the bolts that nobody else bothers with.
            Shimano rotor hardware



            Centerlock doesn't accomplish anything special and doesn't allow for lighter hubs or rotors (at least in a meaningful sense). Shimano rotors are excellent so it's not like you're trapped if you have centerlock hubs, but you do have fewer options, and centerlock rotors are inherently more expensive at the low end because they can't just be flat pieces of steel.



            Centerlock has the disadvantage that carrying a lockring tool plus something to turn it isn't practical, so the best you can do if you severely bend a rotor on a ride is undo the caliper mounting bolts and try to hang the caliper out of the way, which is awkward. Even though the risk here is small and theoretical, it's enough of a potential day ruiner that given centerlock has little to no functional advantage, there's an argument to avoid it if all else is equal. The catch is that all else is often not equal, because Shimano hubs are some of the best value choices.



            Six-bolt does have the disadvantage that bolts getting seized, heads getting stripped, and/or hub threads getting damaged are all things that happen sometimes, whereas centerlock tends to be free from any such problems. Having one big high-torque fastener does create a more reliable interface in that sense. But it's a pretty fringe concern; six-bolt is perfectly robust and very few people will ever have to deal a seized rotor bolt. However, in all fairness it can be a difficult enough problem to deal with when it does happen that centerlock usually looks pretty good by the second hour in.






            share|improve this answer














            Centerlock largely exists because since the beginning of modern disc brakes for bikes, Shimano has more or less alone had a weird cautionary take on the physics of rotor bolts theoretically being able to loosen in the six-bolt design. That's why their six-bolt rotors have always come with various retention systems for the bolts that nobody else bothers with.
            Shimano rotor hardware



            Centerlock doesn't accomplish anything special and doesn't allow for lighter hubs or rotors (at least in a meaningful sense). Shimano rotors are excellent so it's not like you're trapped if you have centerlock hubs, but you do have fewer options, and centerlock rotors are inherently more expensive at the low end because they can't just be flat pieces of steel.



            Centerlock has the disadvantage that carrying a lockring tool plus something to turn it isn't practical, so the best you can do if you severely bend a rotor on a ride is undo the caliper mounting bolts and try to hang the caliper out of the way, which is awkward. Even though the risk here is small and theoretical, it's enough of a potential day ruiner that given centerlock has little to no functional advantage, there's an argument to avoid it if all else is equal. The catch is that all else is often not equal, because Shimano hubs are some of the best value choices.



            Six-bolt does have the disadvantage that bolts getting seized, heads getting stripped, and/or hub threads getting damaged are all things that happen sometimes, whereas centerlock tends to be free from any such problems. Having one big high-torque fastener does create a more reliable interface in that sense. But it's a pretty fringe concern; six-bolt is perfectly robust and very few people will ever have to deal a seized rotor bolt. However, in all fairness it can be a difficult enough problem to deal with when it does happen that centerlock usually looks pretty good by the second hour in.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Sep 4 at 22:24

























            answered Sep 3 at 4:59









            Nathan Knutson

            20.2k11145




            20.2k11145




















                up vote
                10
                down vote













                Advantages of 6-bolt:



                • Not being patented by Shimano means more vendors offer compatible wheels/disks.

                • Torx bolts require a smaller tool which is often included in many multi-tools so one can always have one on the road.

                Advantages of Centerlock:



                • Faster installation and removal with a cassette tool; no need to fiddle with 6 separate bolts

                • No need to have an extra tool, use the same cassette removal tool.





                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  10
                  down vote













                  Advantages of 6-bolt:



                  • Not being patented by Shimano means more vendors offer compatible wheels/disks.

                  • Torx bolts require a smaller tool which is often included in many multi-tools so one can always have one on the road.

                  Advantages of Centerlock:



                  • Faster installation and removal with a cassette tool; no need to fiddle with 6 separate bolts

                  • No need to have an extra tool, use the same cassette removal tool.





                  share|improve this answer






















                    up vote
                    10
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    10
                    down vote









                    Advantages of 6-bolt:



                    • Not being patented by Shimano means more vendors offer compatible wheels/disks.

                    • Torx bolts require a smaller tool which is often included in many multi-tools so one can always have one on the road.

                    Advantages of Centerlock:



                    • Faster installation and removal with a cassette tool; no need to fiddle with 6 separate bolts

                    • No need to have an extra tool, use the same cassette removal tool.





                    share|improve this answer












                    Advantages of 6-bolt:



                    • Not being patented by Shimano means more vendors offer compatible wheels/disks.

                    • Torx bolts require a smaller tool which is often included in many multi-tools so one can always have one on the road.

                    Advantages of Centerlock:



                    • Faster installation and removal with a cassette tool; no need to fiddle with 6 separate bolts

                    • No need to have an extra tool, use the same cassette removal tool.






                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Sep 3 at 3:55









                    Grigory Rechistov

                    3,454727




                    3,454727




















                        up vote
                        8
                        down vote













                        A couple more pros of centre lock:



                        Finned rotors



                        One big difference is that you can't get the finned Shimano Ice-Tech rotors used on the road bike groupsets in a 6-bolt configuration. E.g:



                        Dura Tech Ice Tech Freeza



                        or



                        IceTech SM-RT99 Centerlock Rotors



                        I've had brake fade on my Shimano RS685/785 set up on descents in Wales and wanted to try the finned rotors, but my hubs are 6-bolt.



                        You can make a centre lock rotor take a 6 bolt rotor, but not the other way round



                        This is pro and a con: Shimano do an adaptor to run 6 bolt rotors on a centre-lock hub (SM-RTAD05), which is great for choice. But, I'd be slightly wary of this approach, because any misalignment or opportunities for vibration in a disc brake setup can cause brake squealing or shudder, and while I'm sure Shimano have tested these adaptors very well, it's a fair engineering assumption that the more interfaces and separate parts there are the more chances for misalignment there are.



                        Shimano Centre Lock Adaptor (SM-RTAD05)



                        For me, I'd go 6 bolt on a mountain bike, because of the wider availability of 6 bolt rotors and the trail-side repairability, but centre locks on a road bike for the increased cooling and because they look a bit neater next to the more delicate road bike forks/chainstays (that last reason is subjective!).






                        share|improve this answer


















                        • 1




                          Good point - do you know why finned rotors are not available in 6 bolt format ?
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:31














                        up vote
                        8
                        down vote













                        A couple more pros of centre lock:



                        Finned rotors



                        One big difference is that you can't get the finned Shimano Ice-Tech rotors used on the road bike groupsets in a 6-bolt configuration. E.g:



                        Dura Tech Ice Tech Freeza



                        or



                        IceTech SM-RT99 Centerlock Rotors



                        I've had brake fade on my Shimano RS685/785 set up on descents in Wales and wanted to try the finned rotors, but my hubs are 6-bolt.



                        You can make a centre lock rotor take a 6 bolt rotor, but not the other way round



                        This is pro and a con: Shimano do an adaptor to run 6 bolt rotors on a centre-lock hub (SM-RTAD05), which is great for choice. But, I'd be slightly wary of this approach, because any misalignment or opportunities for vibration in a disc brake setup can cause brake squealing or shudder, and while I'm sure Shimano have tested these adaptors very well, it's a fair engineering assumption that the more interfaces and separate parts there are the more chances for misalignment there are.



                        Shimano Centre Lock Adaptor (SM-RTAD05)



                        For me, I'd go 6 bolt on a mountain bike, because of the wider availability of 6 bolt rotors and the trail-side repairability, but centre locks on a road bike for the increased cooling and because they look a bit neater next to the more delicate road bike forks/chainstays (that last reason is subjective!).






                        share|improve this answer


















                        • 1




                          Good point - do you know why finned rotors are not available in 6 bolt format ?
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:31












                        up vote
                        8
                        down vote










                        up vote
                        8
                        down vote









                        A couple more pros of centre lock:



                        Finned rotors



                        One big difference is that you can't get the finned Shimano Ice-Tech rotors used on the road bike groupsets in a 6-bolt configuration. E.g:



                        Dura Tech Ice Tech Freeza



                        or



                        IceTech SM-RT99 Centerlock Rotors



                        I've had brake fade on my Shimano RS685/785 set up on descents in Wales and wanted to try the finned rotors, but my hubs are 6-bolt.



                        You can make a centre lock rotor take a 6 bolt rotor, but not the other way round



                        This is pro and a con: Shimano do an adaptor to run 6 bolt rotors on a centre-lock hub (SM-RTAD05), which is great for choice. But, I'd be slightly wary of this approach, because any misalignment or opportunities for vibration in a disc brake setup can cause brake squealing or shudder, and while I'm sure Shimano have tested these adaptors very well, it's a fair engineering assumption that the more interfaces and separate parts there are the more chances for misalignment there are.



                        Shimano Centre Lock Adaptor (SM-RTAD05)



                        For me, I'd go 6 bolt on a mountain bike, because of the wider availability of 6 bolt rotors and the trail-side repairability, but centre locks on a road bike for the increased cooling and because they look a bit neater next to the more delicate road bike forks/chainstays (that last reason is subjective!).






                        share|improve this answer














                        A couple more pros of centre lock:



                        Finned rotors



                        One big difference is that you can't get the finned Shimano Ice-Tech rotors used on the road bike groupsets in a 6-bolt configuration. E.g:



                        Dura Tech Ice Tech Freeza



                        or



                        IceTech SM-RT99 Centerlock Rotors



                        I've had brake fade on my Shimano RS685/785 set up on descents in Wales and wanted to try the finned rotors, but my hubs are 6-bolt.



                        You can make a centre lock rotor take a 6 bolt rotor, but not the other way round



                        This is pro and a con: Shimano do an adaptor to run 6 bolt rotors on a centre-lock hub (SM-RTAD05), which is great for choice. But, I'd be slightly wary of this approach, because any misalignment or opportunities for vibration in a disc brake setup can cause brake squealing or shudder, and while I'm sure Shimano have tested these adaptors very well, it's a fair engineering assumption that the more interfaces and separate parts there are the more chances for misalignment there are.



                        Shimano Centre Lock Adaptor (SM-RTAD05)



                        For me, I'd go 6 bolt on a mountain bike, because of the wider availability of 6 bolt rotors and the trail-side repairability, but centre locks on a road bike for the increased cooling and because they look a bit neater next to the more delicate road bike forks/chainstays (that last reason is subjective!).







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited Sep 3 at 12:38

























                        answered Sep 3 at 9:34









                        tomRedox

                        24126




                        24126







                        • 1




                          Good point - do you know why finned rotors are not available in 6 bolt format ?
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:31












                        • 1




                          Good point - do you know why finned rotors are not available in 6 bolt format ?
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:31







                        1




                        1




                        Good point - do you know why finned rotors are not available in 6 bolt format ?
                        – Criggie
                        Sep 4 at 11:31




                        Good point - do you know why finned rotors are not available in 6 bolt format ?
                        – Criggie
                        Sep 4 at 11:31










                        up vote
                        7
                        down vote













                        One disadvantage of 6 bolt is that you can torque one side just a bit more than the other which can cause the rotor to be just a bit warped.



                        Center-lock torques evenly by design so there’s no risk.






                        share|improve this answer




















                        • Can be avoided with a torque wrench.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:11














                        up vote
                        7
                        down vote













                        One disadvantage of 6 bolt is that you can torque one side just a bit more than the other which can cause the rotor to be just a bit warped.



                        Center-lock torques evenly by design so there’s no risk.






                        share|improve this answer




















                        • Can be avoided with a torque wrench.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:11












                        up vote
                        7
                        down vote










                        up vote
                        7
                        down vote









                        One disadvantage of 6 bolt is that you can torque one side just a bit more than the other which can cause the rotor to be just a bit warped.



                        Center-lock torques evenly by design so there’s no risk.






                        share|improve this answer












                        One disadvantage of 6 bolt is that you can torque one side just a bit more than the other which can cause the rotor to be just a bit warped.



                        Center-lock torques evenly by design so there’s no risk.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Sep 3 at 17:03









                        RoboKaren

                        22k651126




                        22k651126











                        • Can be avoided with a torque wrench.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:11
















                        • Can be avoided with a torque wrench.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:11















                        Can be avoided with a torque wrench.
                        – Michael
                        Sep 4 at 9:11




                        Can be avoided with a torque wrench.
                        – Michael
                        Sep 4 at 9:11










                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote













                        If you’ve ever stripped a torx bolt on a 6-bolt, you will have your answer for why people run centerlock. I will add a small disadvantage to centerlock is boost conversion on the rear. MRP sells kits for the front that use a caliper adapter to offset the rotor on the front, but nobody sells conversions for centerlock rears. You could in theory convert it to 6-bolt and then use the boost adapters, but 2 adapter kits is where I draw the line and sell my sweet DT 240.






                        share|improve this answer
















                        • 1




                          Wow, you really need quite some force to destroy those bolts. Use adequate force and threadlocker adhesive. Best would be a torque wrench of course.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:14






                        • 1




                          @Michael I've sheared rotor bolts - admittedly they were cheap rubbish but didn't need a huge amount of leverage, just ratty steel and poor thread preparation. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/45092
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:47










                        • @Michael Rounding off a shallow T25 head is not really that difficult if the bolt is seized, and it's a real nightmare to put right.
                          – Will Vousden
                          Sep 5 at 9:27















                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote













                        If you’ve ever stripped a torx bolt on a 6-bolt, you will have your answer for why people run centerlock. I will add a small disadvantage to centerlock is boost conversion on the rear. MRP sells kits for the front that use a caliper adapter to offset the rotor on the front, but nobody sells conversions for centerlock rears. You could in theory convert it to 6-bolt and then use the boost adapters, but 2 adapter kits is where I draw the line and sell my sweet DT 240.






                        share|improve this answer
















                        • 1




                          Wow, you really need quite some force to destroy those bolts. Use adequate force and threadlocker adhesive. Best would be a torque wrench of course.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:14






                        • 1




                          @Michael I've sheared rotor bolts - admittedly they were cheap rubbish but didn't need a huge amount of leverage, just ratty steel and poor thread preparation. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/45092
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:47










                        • @Michael Rounding off a shallow T25 head is not really that difficult if the bolt is seized, and it's a real nightmare to put right.
                          – Will Vousden
                          Sep 5 at 9:27













                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote










                        up vote
                        2
                        down vote









                        If you’ve ever stripped a torx bolt on a 6-bolt, you will have your answer for why people run centerlock. I will add a small disadvantage to centerlock is boost conversion on the rear. MRP sells kits for the front that use a caliper adapter to offset the rotor on the front, but nobody sells conversions for centerlock rears. You could in theory convert it to 6-bolt and then use the boost adapters, but 2 adapter kits is where I draw the line and sell my sweet DT 240.






                        share|improve this answer












                        If you’ve ever stripped a torx bolt on a 6-bolt, you will have your answer for why people run centerlock. I will add a small disadvantage to centerlock is boost conversion on the rear. MRP sells kits for the front that use a caliper adapter to offset the rotor on the front, but nobody sells conversions for centerlock rears. You could in theory convert it to 6-bolt and then use the boost adapters, but 2 adapter kits is where I draw the line and sell my sweet DT 240.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Sep 4 at 1:18









                        Cole Inman

                        211




                        211







                        • 1




                          Wow, you really need quite some force to destroy those bolts. Use adequate force and threadlocker adhesive. Best would be a torque wrench of course.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:14






                        • 1




                          @Michael I've sheared rotor bolts - admittedly they were cheap rubbish but didn't need a huge amount of leverage, just ratty steel and poor thread preparation. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/45092
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:47










                        • @Michael Rounding off a shallow T25 head is not really that difficult if the bolt is seized, and it's a real nightmare to put right.
                          – Will Vousden
                          Sep 5 at 9:27













                        • 1




                          Wow, you really need quite some force to destroy those bolts. Use adequate force and threadlocker adhesive. Best would be a torque wrench of course.
                          – Michael
                          Sep 4 at 9:14






                        • 1




                          @Michael I've sheared rotor bolts - admittedly they were cheap rubbish but didn't need a huge amount of leverage, just ratty steel and poor thread preparation. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/45092
                          – Criggie
                          Sep 4 at 11:47










                        • @Michael Rounding off a shallow T25 head is not really that difficult if the bolt is seized, and it's a real nightmare to put right.
                          – Will Vousden
                          Sep 5 at 9:27








                        1




                        1




                        Wow, you really need quite some force to destroy those bolts. Use adequate force and threadlocker adhesive. Best would be a torque wrench of course.
                        – Michael
                        Sep 4 at 9:14




                        Wow, you really need quite some force to destroy those bolts. Use adequate force and threadlocker adhesive. Best would be a torque wrench of course.
                        – Michael
                        Sep 4 at 9:14




                        1




                        1




                        @Michael I've sheared rotor bolts - admittedly they were cheap rubbish but didn't need a huge amount of leverage, just ratty steel and poor thread preparation. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/45092
                        – Criggie
                        Sep 4 at 11:47




                        @Michael I've sheared rotor bolts - admittedly they were cheap rubbish but didn't need a huge amount of leverage, just ratty steel and poor thread preparation. bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/45092
                        – Criggie
                        Sep 4 at 11:47












                        @Michael Rounding off a shallow T25 head is not really that difficult if the bolt is seized, and it's a real nightmare to put right.
                        – Will Vousden
                        Sep 5 at 9:27





                        @Michael Rounding off a shallow T25 head is not really that difficult if the bolt is seized, and it's a real nightmare to put right.
                        – Will Vousden
                        Sep 5 at 9:27











                        up vote
                        1
                        down vote













                        Adding to existing answers ... 6 bolt rotors can be shimmed to make rotors on two different wheels fit in the calipers without having to re-align. That's not possible on center-lock hubs.






                        share|improve this answer
























                          up vote
                          1
                          down vote













                          Adding to existing answers ... 6 bolt rotors can be shimmed to make rotors on two different wheels fit in the calipers without having to re-align. That's not possible on center-lock hubs.






                          share|improve this answer






















                            up vote
                            1
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            1
                            down vote









                            Adding to existing answers ... 6 bolt rotors can be shimmed to make rotors on two different wheels fit in the calipers without having to re-align. That's not possible on center-lock hubs.






                            share|improve this answer












                            Adding to existing answers ... 6 bolt rotors can be shimmed to make rotors on two different wheels fit in the calipers without having to re-align. That's not possible on center-lock hubs.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Sep 5 at 20:08









                            Argenti Apparatus

                            24k12661




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