🚴 Ultimate Performance: SHIMANO XT SM-RT86 Rotor - Enhanced 6-Bolt Design Review

Good solid construction. Unfortunately I was not able to use this rotor as it is NOT compatible with top rack mounted brakes. The center aluminum hub tapers away from the screws towards the face of the rotor. So if you have overhead brakes installed, the hub will hit the caliper posts. If you have side brakes this will work fine. Not compatible with DNM connectors.

Got this rotor to replace a pair of RT 56s but only got one to see if it was worth replacing both or the old ones substitute. Once installed they look great and work great, super exciting and quiet. I just ordered another one for the back. Update: The very best rotors. Replaced the rotors on my HT and the difference was huge. Bought another pair for my full Tectros which are so loud and again make a huge difference. Highly recommended.

I bought a full set of XT brakes to replace the Deore Level M506 caliper and RT 56 rotors. While these brakes are fine, the XT with Ice-Tech rotors are flawless! I've been using them in mud, snow, rain and sand for three seasons now with no problems. I mainly ride cross country and trails. Pros: good modulation, strong clamping when needed, no fading, easy installation, not noisy, looks cool, good in all conditions and temperatures, Shimano reliability, high quality Cons: none Highly…

I've used XT Ice Tech rotors on several bikes and they really are one of the best rotors out there. In combination with good Shimano brakes like the XT, they stop in no time. I haven't really used my brakes with other rotors, but I can say that my setup works much better than any Sram mid-rotor brakes I've tried. The only complaint I can really make against them is that they bend fairly easily. I don't mind fixing them once a month or so, but be aware that after a day of hard braking these…

This rotor changed my braking system. This is what I would call a clean upgrade over most of the standard rotors that many bikes come equipped with these days. I've gotten bigger, which translates to 'better', but I'm sure it has more to do with quality and design than a 'bigger is better' mentality. Installation was easy, aligning my calipers was very easy. Painless installation. I needed more stopping power. 300lb racer on the Specialized Fatboy. I placed 203 in the front and 180 in the back.

So I got the rotor today, it came in a plastic bag which is unusual for Shimano rotors, they usually come in a box. First thing I noticed was all the machining marks on the back of the rotor and not the usual Shimano quality but I will try if I run into any problems will send it back without hesitation. Maybe a second or knock it down. Definitely it should have been safer although the delivery process was rather poor. The update has it tightened and bent, luckily I have a friend in the shop who