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Spotted: Galfer Finned Disc Rotors improve heat dissipation for Commencal MUC-OFF

galfer finned brake rotors commencal muc-off team
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Galfer have revealed details of new 223mm diameter prototype rotors for downhill racing. The 6-Bolt rotors, seen on the ENVE wheels of the Commencal MUC-OFF team at DH World Cup races, feature a unique finned architecture. The fins are said to act as a heat sink, allowing the braking surface of the rotor to cool more rapidly, reducing the effects of brake fade. We got some more details from Galfer’s engineer in charge, Ricard Bages.

Prototype Galfer Finned Brake Rotors

The Galfer Finned Disc rotors are 223mm in diameter, 2mm thick and weigh a claimed 230g each

We recently asked Galfer to answer some of our readers’ questions on issues they were having with braking power. Galfer, along with TRP Cycling, Magura and Hayes, contributed with great enthusiasm to the Ask A Stupid Question feature. We even got a glimpse of some prototype disc rotors from the Spanish company.

Designer Ricard Bages tells us that the development of this finned disc rotor started when the Commencal MUC-OFF team asked them to produce a custom disc that would resist excessive temperature increases under braking on some of the steeper tracks of the World Cup circuit.

The top riders will regularly hit speeds of around 73 kph through the speed trap. When braking, they need to dissipate a large amount of energy in a short time; this produces a massive increase in temperature at the caliper, the most critical component of the braking system. If the disc is able to cooler faster, the hydraulic oil behind the pistons in the caliper will be kept cooler, too.

Galfer do not recommend the use of these discs on muddy tracks; the Commencal-MUC-OFF team only use them in dry hard-pack conditions

“We pushed the project as an R&D project to find new solutions for this specific requirement and after many virtual simulations we determined this geometry. It has many fins to increase the heat dissipating area by convection and small holes for the same purpose. The use of fins as a heat-sink is widely used by the industry. We have adapted that solution to a disc brake, considering the production process and the steel head conductivity” – Ricard Bages, Design Engineer at Galfer.

Galfer’s production discs don’t feature the aggressive-looking finned design. “A production disc must have a good compromise between many important specs: bite capacity, self-cleaning against mud, weight, and heat management. This prototype disk won’t go to production. It’s just a research tool to find new solutions” – Ricard Bages, Design Engineer at Galfer. 

galfer 223mm rotor commencal muc-off dh team

Galfer.eu

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x-alt
x-alt
2 years ago

What a weird idea to put saw teeth on a rotating part.

Gillis
Gillis
2 years ago
Reply to  x-alt

What a weird idea to think that it would have any tangible effect outside of its intended purpose.

tech9
tech9
2 years ago

6 Bolt.. No Thanks

Nevercenterlock
Nevercenterlock
2 years ago

6 Bolt.. YES please!

Hexsense
Hexsense
2 years ago

As falling into spinning disc is not scary enough. Now they add saw tooth to the rotor.

Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim
2 years ago
Reply to  Hexsense

I have been riding a bike with disc brakes for almost 20 years and I have never had my body contact any part of the rotor except for my leg when I leaned my bike against it while hot.

Kayce
Kayce
2 years ago
Reply to  Hexsense

Yeah, that saw profile is scary. If it wasn’t there getting a finger inside the rotor as it spun at 20 mph. The support arms of the rotor wouldn’t do the same nearly impossible thing.

Willie Makit
Willie Makit
2 years ago
Reply to  Hexsense

I saw a mechanic I was working with catch an finger in a rotor about 10 years ago. He didn’t lose it, but 1 more second and he would have had 9 fingers. The saw teeth are irrelevant. It’s the arm that is the cigar cutter.

Dockboy
Dockboy
2 years ago
Reply to  Hexsense

The only time I have ever hurt my finger on the inside of a rotor was the first day I owned a disc brake 20 years ago. It sucked, but I was an impulsive kid and was really excited about that bike.

Tony pepperoni
Tony pepperoni
2 years ago

@tech9 We can’t even have 6 bolt rotors now?You’re probably an Alfine 4 bolt kinda person, eh?

Astro Kraken
Astro Kraken
2 years ago

They look like icicles and icicles are cold so it should work.

Eric 505
Eric 505
2 years ago
Reply to  Astro Kraken

This ^^^ !
; )

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