6 Bolt Disc Rotors vs. Centerlock Disc Brake Rotors

Many cyclists will choose between 6 Bolt or centerlock rotors when building new wheels or are curious about braking performance for an upgrade.

There is no absolute answer to the question of how to choose between 6-bolt and centerlock rotors. That depends on your needs and how much you are willing to spend.

The ICAN AERO disc series is the most popular and lightest carbon wheel we offer. You can feel free to choose from Centerlock or 6 Bolt. These wheels were assembled and trued by our skilled wheel builders. No adjustments are needed. Take them out of the box, put the tires on, and start riding. 

It should be noted that the discussion about 6 Bolt rotors and centerlock rotors is limited to disc wheels. If you use rim brake wheels, you don't need to worry about this situation.

This article will explain the difference between 6 Bolt and centerlock rotors. We will look at the comparison from multiple and different angles for you, so at least by the end, you can see what suits you the best.

Before the article, you can see the video below to see the difference between them.

The history of brake rotors

Before discs, there were drum brakes, which tended to overheat and 'fade' in power. But when racing cars began to use discs in the 1950s, the new form of braking swiftly spread to all types of vehicles. In those days, bike brakes used the same basic principle as discs, with calipers that forced friction pads onto a spinning metal rim. The levers needed strong hands to operate them, and the fragile alloy rims could overheat enough during a long alpine descent to melt the glue that held tubular tires on them.

Then, in the Nineties, came the disc revolution, in which the calipers moved down to hub level and closed onto a spinning steel disc, which was attached to the hub by a rotor. With hydraulic discs, a light touch on the levers was enough to lock the wheels. Mountain bike designers embraced discs because they opened the way for wide clearance fat tires and greater freedom in frame geometry. The popularity of carbon fiber frames and wheels also pushed MTB brands toward the new disc technology. Road racers were slow to follow their example. But it wasn't long before.

US Patent No. : US 6371252B1 was granted to Shimano on April 16, 2002, naming the inventor Takanori Kanehisa. This patent was for what became the Shimano Center Lock disc braking system. The invention managed to overcome most of the six-bolt system's drawbacks. It became easy to fit and service the hubs. The discs did not warp or become decentered. But, Takanori's design achieved these objectives with a couple of trade-offs. It was heavier and more expensive than the six-bolt system. In addition, it required the owner to invest in a specialized tool.

This is the Shimano TL-LR10. It is a torque wrench to fit the rotor to the hub and lock the cassette in place. The inner part of the Center Lock rotor is a splined alloy and fits onto the hub. This alloy helps to dissipate the heat that builds up under prolonged braking. The outer part of Shimano's rotor is hard-wearing steel, which resists warp. But the Center Lock disc weighs in at 156 grams, compared to the six-bolt's 115 grams. Using the TL-LR10, the entire assembly locks into proper alignment in seconds. Decentering is not a problem, and the job is soon done, even by an amateur mechanic. Of interest to many riders are the Shimano Ice Tech Freeza rotors, which halve the 500° temperature of the disc during a long descent. With special pads, the disc can get as excellent as 300°, and brakes keep their bite down into the valley.

There is a critical thing to first note with centerlock or 6 bolt rotors. Centrelock and 6 bolt hubs and rotors will work with your disc brake wheels. It does not matter what the make or manufacturer of your disc brakes is. They will work with either rotor.

This is because 6 bolt or Centrelock names refer to how you attach your rotor to your hub. Once you’ve attached your rotor to your hub and it is centered correctly, you’ll see that your brakes don’t care and will grab it and slow you down regardless.

Two types of installation

6 bolt require only a 6mm torx key, while the centerlock requires a special tool and a 24mm fork key.

The center lock special tool known as the lockring is also used to remove the rear wheel cassette and is considered an essential maintenance tool for bikers.

Overall, the center lock has quick installation and disassembly compared to 6 bolts. But corresponding tools are needed.

Weight

We know that the 6-bolt disc rotor is lighter. Still, since the center lock comes with its adapter, the comparison must be considered differently. If we want more accuracy, we need to compare the weights of the total hubs. By comparison, Shimano XT FH-M600 has an SM-RT64 center lock and Sram 900 hubs combined with SM-RT56.

Price

Due to many reasons, such as increased production costs, the centerlock rotor is considered to be more expensive than the 6 bolt.

Since these models are manufactured by major brands such as Shimano and SRAM, they are expected to be higher priced than the 6 bolt rotors that can be manufactured anywhere else in the world.

6 bolt prices start from 10$ (unknown or unbranded), while Magura and Tektro vary between 20$ and 25$; on top-level, Shimano rotors start from 40$ to 90$ for a pair. The price of the top centerlock rotor ranges from US$35 to US$200.

Converting From 6 Bolts To Center Lock

Unlike the center lock to 6 bolts conversion, which is considered easy and inexpensive, the 6 bolts to center lock is quite a challenge, but in the end, it is possible.

From this we can briefly summarize the Pros and Cons of 6 Bolts and Center Lock

Pros and Cons of 6 bolt disc rotors

Pros and cons of Centerlock disc rotors

Conclusion：

The choice between 6-bolt and centerlock rotors depends on individual needs and budget. The ICAN AERO disc series offers both options for cyclists. 6-bolt rotors are lighter, while centerlock rotors provide easier installation. Centerlock rotors, however, are typically more expensive and require specialized tools. Converting from 6 bolts to centerlock can be challenging and costly. Ultimately, the decision should consider factors such as convenience, weight, and price.