MTB brake discs

MTB brake rotors: size, mount, and thickness

The brake rotor sits on the hub and absorbs a large portion of the heat during braking. At MTB-Raceshop, you will find Galfer Wave, Shark, and Shark EVO for MTBs, e-bikes, road bikes, and gravel bikes, as well as the 2.3 mm Brembo GR-PRO rotor.

The diameter determines the braking torque, the thickness determines the heat capacity, and the shape influences cooling and pad wear. Which rotor fits depends on the hub, brake caliper, fork, and frame.

Galfer brake rotors compared: Wave, Shark, and Shark EVO

Galfer Wave® Fixed

One-piece with a wavy outer profile, 1.8 mm thick. Available as 6-boltin 160, 180, 200, and 203 mm, and as Center Lock in 160, 180, and 203 mm – for XC, Trail, and Enduro.

Galfer Wave® E-Bike 2.0 mm

Same shape, but 2.0 mm thick for higher heat capacity. Available as 6-boltand Center Lock from 160 to 223 mm, developed for E-MTBs and demanding Enduro use.

Galfer Shark®

One-piece with internal "Shark Fins": according to Galfer, up to 30% lower operating temperature and 25–40% longer pad life. 2.0 mm(160 mm: 1.8 mm), 6-bolt or Center Lock, with magnet mount.

Galfer Shark EVO

Two-piece: Shark friction ring on a CNC-machined aluminium core (7075-T6), connected with 8 mm rivets. 2.0 mm, 180, 203, and 223 mm, 6-bolt or Center Lock, in Kashima, black, or raw.

Brembo GR-PRO

The Brembo rotoris 2.3 mm thick, has an 18 mm braking surface, and comes in 200 or 220 mm with a 6-bolt mount. It is part of the Brembo GR-PRO system, for which Brembo only intends the use of original rotors.

Rotors for road and gravel bikes in 140 to 180 mm can be found under Road & Gravel. You can find an overview of all Galfer rotors under Galfer Brake Rotors, and more about the brand on the Galfer brand page.

Which brake rotor fits your bike?

• 6-bolt or Center Lock:The hub determines the mounting standard. 6-bolt rotors are attached with six screws; Center Lock rotors are attached with a lockring. According to Galfer, 6-bolt Wave rotors can fit Center Lock hubs using the Galfer Center Lock Adapter(not Fulcrum AFS).
• Diameter:The maximum size is determined by the fork and frame. If you change the size, you usually need a different brake adapter.
• 200 or 203 mm:The radii differ by 1.5 mm; the sizes are not interchangeable. For going from 200 → 203 mm using an existing 200 mm adapter, there are spacers.
• Thickness:1.8 mm (Wave), 2.0 mm (Wave E-Bike, Shark, Shark EVO), or 2.3 mm (Brembo). Thicker rotors store more heat – check whether your brake caliper offers enough clearance.
• Fixed or two-piece:Fixed means one-piece stainless steel. Two-piece rotors, often called "floating," combine a steel friction ring and an aluminium carrier; for the Shark EVO, the 5 mm thick core is intended to increase lateral stiffness, according to Galfer.
• E-bike magnet:The Shark has a mount for the speed sensor magnet, while the Shark EVO has a cutout for it. The Galfer E-Bike Magnetis available for 6-bolt (24 or 32 mm) and as an integrated version.

Installing and maintaining brake rotors

• Tighten 6-bolt screws in a cross pattern to the specified torque; tighten Center Lock lockrings with the appropriate tool.
• Degrease new rotors with brake cleaner before installation and bed them in with the pads.
• Replace the rotor when it reaches the manufacturer’s minimum thickness – often stamped as "MIN TH"; for the Brembo GR-PRO, it is 2 mm according to Brembo – or if it is cracked or severely bent.
• Correct minor lateral runout with a truing tool.

Screws, tools, and adapters

Frequently asked questions about brake rotors

Which Galfer brake rotor fits an e-bike?

The 2.0 mm thick Galfer rotors are intended for e-bikes: the Shark or the Wave E-Bike, both available as 6-bolt and Center Lock. The Shark additionally features a mount for the speed sensor magnet. The Galfer E-Bike brake pads, which Galfer developed together with the 2.0 mm rotors, are a perfect match.

What is the difference between Galfer Wave and Shark?

Both are one-piece with a wavy profile. The Shark additionally features internal cooling fins, which according to Galfer reduce the operating temperature by up to 30% and extend pad life by 25–40%. The Wave is available in 1.8 and 2.0 mm; the Shark is available in 2.0 mm from 180 mm upwards.

Do Galfer brake rotors fit Shimano, SRAM, or Magura?

Yes, Galfer rotors work with all standard brakes and pads, as long as the diameter, mount, and thickness match. With 2.0 mm rotors, check whether the caliper offers enough clearance. The Brembo GR-PRO is the exception: it only runs with original rotors.

1.8 mm or 2.0 mm brake rotor – what do I need?

1.8 mm is sufficient for XC and Trail. 2.0 mm absorbs more heat and is worthwhile for E-MTBs, Enduro, Downhill, and long descents. Check beforehand whether your brake caliper has enough space for 2.0 mm – if in doubt, we are here to help.

Center Lock or 6-bolt – which is better?

Neither mount is fundamentally better; the deciding factor is your hub. You mount Center Lock with a lockring and 6-bolt with six screws. With the Galfer Center Lock Adapter, 6-bolt Wave rotors can also fit onto Center Lock hubs.