[Ben Grieve-Johnson]

I recently bent a rotor in a minor stack and after reading all the posts on mtbr about just how great the Galfer stuff is, I decided to buy a set of 6" wavy rotors and pads for my Juicy sevens. The result? They pads modulate at slow speeds better than Avid pads, but lack the power of the Avid setup. Compounding this lack of power is that the rotor heats up chronically on even mid length decents, causing bad brake fade and a change in lever feel. I've never had the Avid setup anywhere near that hot before (rotors temporaraly discoloured and you could smell them). Meanwhile, the pads have worn a hole in the centre (I presume this is a wear indicator, as if one is needed), despite having had reletively little use and still being 75% of their original thickness.

In short I think they're a very poor replacement. I have switched back to polygon rotors and avid pads, which despite the caning they receive on this site I think are well designed and work very well if broken in properly and looked after.

Anyone else experienced this?

 

[SuspectDevice]

I use Galfer pads and rotors on my Hayes mags and My juicy 5's and 7's. I have had nothing but positive experiences with them...

 

[JimboCO]

Are there certain set up issues that should be considered to avoid Ben's experience perhaps? I just bought a set...

 

[Severum]

Let's see some pics. This is very interesting.

 

[3xv]

I've been using the Galfer wave rotors and pads since Jan.on my Trek, and so far have nothing but good experience with them. Good positive feel when using them on the trails. No experience with downhill though (Houston is flat, hehehe ).

I run galfer sintered ceramic brakepads on my sportbike and have not experienced any brake fade on the recetrack.

This is my experience with Galfers, just wanted to share. Happy trails/ downhill/ freeride

 

[BigLarry]

Did fine with Galfer's

At my 270 lbs (330 with bike and gear) and long steep descents, I'd kill most rotors and pads quickly. Rotors would turn colors, pads would burn, hydraulic fluid would vaporize. I often got complete brake fade with 6" rotors (lever to the bar and ZERO brakes ) halfway down a hill. This happened with all the pads I tried. Problems were completely solved when I went to 8" Saints.

The 8" Saints eliminated brake fade, and allowed me to use two instead of four fingers to brake. But the pads would still wear very fast. And semi-metallic would squeal sometimes. I might get say 300 miles on resin and 500 miles on semi-metallic. So to save replacing pads all the time, and reduce squeal, I decided to try Galfer over Shimano pads.

I found Galfer pads lived up to their promise of longer life, close to the metallic, but with no squeal, like with the resin. I also don't have an issue with brake fade anymore. But 8" rotors probably helped most on that issue.

Try 8" rotors from a good brand. I'd say the pads aren't your issue.

 

[dogonfr]

I have been using Galfer rotors & pads on MTB for 5 years no prob. :thumbsup:

I agree on the moto also, superior over stockers.

 

[rockman]

I recently bent a rotor in a minor stack and after reading all the posts on mtbr about just how great the Galfer stuff is, I decided to buy a set of 6" wavy rotors and pads for my Juicy sevens. The result? They pads modulate at slow speeds better than Avid pads, but lack the power of the Avid setup. Compounding this lack of power is that the rotor heats up chronically on even mid length decents, causing bad brake fade and a change in lever feel. I've never had the Avid setup anywhere near that hot before (rotors temporaraly discoloured and you could smell them).

Anyone else experienced this?

I had the same experience. I replaced my avid wavy 6" rotors and pads to get rid of the shudder after reading some posts on this site. I've overheated them on long descents and the rears have a grabby feel. Like once every rotation but the rotor seems pretty true to me. Not perfect maybe but less than a mm out.

There also is no info that comes with the Galfers on which direction to mount them.