Cheap Brake Rotors???

[Wolfman]

Hi everyone, i am presently in the middle of restoring a 1996 TRX, and need to replace the brake disc rotors. On E-bay, There is heaps of cheap "knock off" wave style brake rotors for a fraction of the price of similar, if not same in design as the established brands, like Galfer, and Braking.

My question is, has anyone around here had any experience with these cheaper knock off discs...the ones i am looking say they are made of stainless steel, and all the measurements match the OEM TRX brake discs... thickness is 5mm (standard).

Any help, or input with this would be greatly appreciated.

[BigAl-TC]

I got some of these through Sandybikespares on ebay, but they can be had cheaper if you get them direct from Hongkong / China. Very happy with them, no probs, have done track days and they work well. Go for it

[Mincehead]

Yep run them for years, no problems whatsoever. Galfer are massively overpriced in my opinion, Kagazumi`s are all a TRX might need unless you go down the AP braking route with their calipers too, then you really are in a better league but they ain`t cheap.

[Killerwhale]

Yep run them for years, no problems whatsoever. Galfer are massively overpriced in my opinion, Kagazumi`s are all a TRX might need unless you go down the AP braking route with their calipers too, then you really are in a better league but they ain`t cheap.

+1

[Wombat]

Yeah, I got a set of S3 Performance chinese "cheapies" on the front.....so far no problems. Just as good as the Braking rear I've got......

Bob

[Wolfman]

Thanks for all the replies. I went and press the go button on a set of Arashi (that's the name on the disc's) petal disc's for front & rear, all up they cost me $233 AU, including shipping!....they look and feel just as good as my $700 Braking brand Wave disc's on my FZ6 fighter!

Cant wait to get my wheels back from powdercoating, so i can put them on!

[BigAl-TC]

[phuk72]

I'd like to ad to context and personal opinion.

The material discs are made from has a massive affect on stopping ability. There is a reason why racers favour cast iron discs. Cheap discs tend to be made from shite materials and this does affect stopping power.

For the road you will be absolutely fine with cheaper dicss but on the track you will notice a difference. I had a set of wavy discs from a cheaper (but established) manufacturer, Stealth, and they were shockingly bad. Worse than worn standard discs they replaced.

PFM iron discs were great for the track but rusted over and generally looked shite. Now have Galfer and the are a perfect compromise - they have a high iron content so still prone to turning orange but brake superbly.

Also, I'd like to be the nagging doubt sitting on your shoulder. Ask yourself why cheap discs are so much cheaper. Do they scrimp on materials? Do they scrimp on testing? What would happen if your disc fell apart under hard braking?