Rotors for 2-piston Shimano BR-MT410 extremely limited?

[Ringo9]

My ebike came with 160mm front rotor (it's got 180mm at the back for some reason) which I find small for the weight, motor, speed characteristics. I want to upgrade, once, and go with 203mm.
To my surprise, the BR-MT410 2-piston calipers are extremely limited in rotor options, or so does Shimano want you to believe?
These calipers support only the so-called "WIDE" pad type, which in turn only supports specific rotors (as listed in Shimano's compatibility chart, mostly rotors on the cheap end apart from a SM-RT30 centerlock which doesn't work on my 6-bolt setup anyway) and will result in less contact area between pad and rotor. As I understand it, these pads are slightly higher than the pads on 4-pistons, and so need a larger contact area (in terms of height/contact diameter) on the rotor to work as they should.

https://productinfo.shimano.com/en/compatibility/C-461

Shimano BR-MT410 2-piston


I want to install a decent MDR-C 203mm rotor from Magura, not after top performance racing stuff but neither entry level ones, like the one in the link. I believe most non-Shimano rotors are similar anyway in how much contact area they offer to the pads, but apparently these will not work well with my caliper and pads type/shape. Is that really true? If so these must be the most pointless calipers to get on a bike: More expensive than the basic models, but a bit cheaper than full 4-pistons, still only compatible with the cheapest entry level rotors, why bother?

https://www.magura.com/en/EUR/bicycle_tuning_&_spare_parts_rotors_rotor_mdr-c/p/mdr-c

Or that's all Shimano marketing and I should go ahead and buy any aftermarket 203mm rotor?

 

[Base]

just had a look on the bikes in the workshop here. measured a few diffent makes and type of rotors. All measure between 16 and 17mm on the highest point. mix of 140, 160, 180 and 203 rotors from Tektro, Shimano, Sram and Magura.

what do you measure at you rotor?

 

[Chazmo]

but apparently these will not work well with my caliper and pads type/shape.

Ringo, where are you getting that info from? Any reason not to just try it?

 

[stompandgo]

Can you use a mount adapter? I don't know if it's possible or safe.

 

[CanNik]

My ebike came with 160mm front rotor (it's got 180mm at the back for some reason) which I find small for the weight, motor, speed characteristics. I want to upgrade, once, and go with 203mm.
To my surprise, the BR-MT410 2-piston calipers are extremely limited in rotor options, or so does Shimano want you to believe?
These calipers support only the so-called "WIDE" pad type, which in turn only supports specific rotors (as listed in Shimano's compatibility chart, mostly rotors on the cheap end apart from a SM-RT30 centerlock which doesn't work on my 6-bolt setup anyway) and will result in less contact area between pad and rotor. As I understand it, these pads are slightly higher than the pads on 4-pistons, and so need a larger contact area (in terms of height/contact diameter) on the rotor to work as they should.

https://productinfo.shimano.com/en/compatibility/C-461

Shimano BR-MT410 2-piston


I want to install a decent MDR-C 203mm rotor from Magura, not after top performance racing stuff but neither entry level ones, like the one in the link. I believe most non-Shimano rotors are similar anyway in how much contact area they offer to the pads, but apparently these will not work well with my caliper and pads type/shape. Is that really true? If so these must be the most pointless calipers to get on a bike: More expensive than the basic models, but a bit cheaper than full 4-pistons, still only compatible with the cheapest entry level rotors, why bother?

https://www.magura.com/en/EUR/bicycle_tuning_&_spare_parts_rotors_rotor_mdr-c/p/mdr-c

Or that's all Shimano marketing and I should go ahead and buy any aftermarket 203mm rotor?

WHY! do you want to "upgrade" that is what is missing

 

[Base]

I think he needs MEGA stopping power ;D

 

[Gionnirocket]

WHY! do you want to "upgrade" that is what is missing

Ringo, where are you getting that info from? Any reason not to just try it?

All this is in the OP
Seems reading comprehension is at an all time low.

 

[CanNik]

WHY! do you want to "upgrade" that is what is missing

????

 

[CanNik]

I think he needs MEGA stopping power ;D

The point is why,

"I want to upgrade my camera, no reason I just want to" !!!!

 

[Gionnirocket]

O M G!

OP First sentence...
"My ebike came with 160mm front rotor (it's got 180mm at the back for some reason) which I find small for the weight, motor, speed characteristics. I want to upgrade, once, and go with 203mm."

 

[Ringo9]

just had a look on the bikes in the workshop here. measured a few diffent makes and type of rotors. All measure between 16 and 17mm on the highest point. mix of 140, 160, 180 and 203 rotors from Tektro, Shimano, Sram and Magura.

what do you measure at you rotor?

Thanks for that. Do you mean 16-17mm between the inner diameter of the rotor where the big pockets are, to the outer diameter? In other words the contact area height for the pad?

If so, I just measured 16,7-17mm on mine (depending on how parallel I can get my caliper) but seems to be the same value. In other words the rotors you measured should provide the same contact area

 

[Ringo9]

Ringo, where are you getting that info from? Any reason not to just try it?

Just browsing Shimano's literature. Maybe that's a Shimano rotors and pads thing though and aftermarket rotors are made to work with both pad types? Don't want to waste 30-40 EUR just to try, it surely must be something others have come across.

Can you use a mount adapter? I don't know if it's possible or safe.

For sure, and I will. I have found the correct type but that's not an issue. The question of whether these aftermarket rotors will play nicely with my pads (specific to my calipers as it seems) is what I'm trying to figure out.

WHY! do you want to "upgrade" that is what is missing

I wrote exactly why, as pointed out already by another member. So, my decision is taken already. The question is not why or if, but with what I should upgrade my current front rotor.

 

[Shifty Shane]

My ebike came with 160mm front rotor (it's got 180mm at the back for some reason) which I find small for the weight, motor, speed characteristics. I want to upgrade, once, and go with 203mm.
To my surprise, the BR-MT410 2-piston calipers are extremely limited in rotor options, or so does Shimano want you to believe?
These calipers support only the so-called "WIDE" pad type, which in turn only supports specific rotors (as listed in Shimano's compatibility chart, mostly rotors on the cheap end apart from a SM-RT30 centerlock which doesn't work on my 6-bolt setup anyway) and will result in less contact area between pad and rotor. As I understand it, these pads are slightly higher than the pads on 4-pistons, and so need a larger contact area (in terms of height/contact diameter) on the rotor to work as they should.

https://productinfo.shimano.com/en/compatibility/C-461

Shimano BR-MT410 2-piston


I want to install a decent MDR-C 203mm rotor from Magura, not after top performance racing stuff but neither entry level ones, like the one in the link. I believe most non-Shimano rotors are similar anyway in how much contact area they offer to the pads, but apparently these will not work well with my caliper and pads type/shape. Is that really true? If so these must be the most pointless calipers to get on a bike: More expensive than the basic models, but a bit cheaper than full 4-pistons, still only compatible with the cheapest entry level rotors, why bother?

https://www.magura.com/en/EUR/bicycle_tuning_&_spare_parts_rotors_rotor_mdr-c/p/mdr-c

Or that's all Shimano marketing and I should go ahead and buy any aftermarket 203mm rotor?

Check out Tektro TR203-52 rotors, specifically meant for 2 piston calipers with wide pads. I just ordered a pair along with Tektro E10.11 pads for my Biktrix Juggernaut Ultra FS Pro 3, which has Biktrix branded Tektro HD-E350 2 piston calipers that use the same style brake pads as your Shimano BR-MT410 calipers.
I ordered a set of SRAM Centerline 203mm rotors at first, (RT-CLN-A1) When I installed them, I noticed the outer brake pad contact patch was only 13.5mm tall vs my original 180mm rotors 17mm contact patch. After some research, I found out these rotors are meant for 4-piston calipers with the narrow brake pads.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Check out Tektro TR203-52 rotors, specifically meant for 2 piston calipers with wide pads. I just ordered a pair along with Tektro E10.11 pads for my Biktrix Juggernaut Ultra FS Pro 3, which has Biktrix branded Tektro HD-E350 2 piston calipers that use the same style brake pads as your Shimano BR-MT410 calipers.
I ordered a set of SRAM Centerline 203mm rotors at first, (RT-CLN-A1) When I installed them, I noticed the outer brake pad contact patch was only 13.5mm tall vs my original 180mm rotors 17mm contact patch. After some research, I found out these rotors are meant for 4-piston calipers with the narrow brake pads.

When I read this thread I was curious to see how mine measured out.
TRP 4 piston E23 front and rear. Tektro pads have a contact area height of 13.5mm
Tektro TR203-53 Rotor in the front with 15mm of contact area.
Rohloff 203 in the rear with 17.5mm of contact area.
Pads and rotors are wearing properly and the braking is excellent
File this under trivial information

 

[Shifty Shane]

When I read this thread I was curious to see how mine measured out.
TRP 4 piston E23 front and rear. Tektro pads have a contact area height of 13.5mm
Tektro TR203-53 Rotor in the front with 15mm of contact area.
Rohloff 203 in the rear with 17.5mm of contact area.
Pads and rotors are wearing properly and the braking is excellent
File this under trivial information

I'm curious how your brake pads are aligned with the outer edge of your rotors.
Are the front and rear pads closer to the outer edges of the rotors?
My OEM 180mm rotors contact area is approx 17.25mm and the Tektro A10.11 pads contact area height is 16mm.
With the 180mm rotors, the front and rear pads outer surface is approx. 1mm from the outer edge of the rotors and 0.25mm from the inner edge.
I installed SRAM Centerline 203mm rotor up front (13.5mm contact area), with Magura QM42 post mount adapters.
The pads outer surface was approx 0.5mm from the outer edge of the rotors, and the pads inner surface was 3mm inboard of the rotors contact area.
I think this would wear out the rotors arms/spokes prematurely, so while I'm waiting for my Tektro TR203-52 rotors, I decided to add washers between the post mount adapters and calipers to move the brake pads contact area outwards on the rotors. I used a 1.1mm washer on the top post mount and a 2.2mm washer on the bottom. This moved the pad contact area 1mm past the outer edge of the rotor, and now it's only 1.5mm inboard of the rotors inner contact area.

 

[Gionnirocket]

They're set right on the outer edge of the rotor. I'm not developing a no contract lip on the rotor nor the pads.

 

[Shifty Shane]

They're set right on the outer edge of the rotor. I'm not developing a no contract lip on the rotor nor the pads.

That's what I figured was the correct brake pad to rotor mating surface, as far towards the outer edge of the rotor for the most potential braking force.

 

[Chazmo]

Hey, @Ringo9,

I’m not sure where this stands with you at the moment, but to clarify… If the Magura rotor has the same radius between the inner and outer part of the ring as the Shimano (like you measured in your picture), and it has the same thickness, then you should be fine using the stock caliper. As stomp mentioned earlier, you just need an adapter to basically shim the caliper so the pads clamp properly on the ring. The only thing I’d watch out for is that you have long enough bolts to go through the extended adapter (probably supplied?) and that you don’t strip the threads in your fork where you’re attaching them. If you have existing washers, be careful when you thread the bolts with the new adapter.

 

[stompandgo]

Also, use a drop of Loctite Blue or equivalent with the new, longer bolts.

 

[Base]

Also, use a drop of Loctite Blue or equivalent with the new, longer bolts.

and a torque wrench