How to Install Bicycle Disc Brake Rotors

Often featured on high-end mountain bikes, disc brakes are favored by off-road cyclists for their ability to remain effective even in wet and muddy conditions. The disc brake system includes a caliper mounted to the bicycle frame and a rotor affixed to the side of the wheel. During operation of the brake, a pad housed inside the caliper squeezes both sides of the rotor, causing the wheel to slow. Part of assembling the disc brake system includes attaching the rotor to the wheel. The typical rotor is mounted with six bolts.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle grease
  • Torx T-25 wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set the bicycle wheel on the work surface with the rotor mount up. The rotor mount is on the side of the wheel. The mount will include holes for each of the mounting bolts.

    • 2

      Apply bicycle grease to the threads of each of the bolts.

    • 3

      Look for the rotation arrow on the face of the rotor. The arrow indicates which way the rotor must rotate once mounted.

    • 4

      Mount the rotor to the side of the wheel so that the rotation arrow is pointing in a counterclockwise direction. Position the rotor as needed until the mounting holes are all aligned.

    • 5

      Thread the first greased bolt by hand into the first mounting hole. Tighten the bolt fully using the Torx T-25 wrench.

    • 6

      Thread the remaining bolts, one at a time, into the mounting holes. Tighten each bolt, using the Torx wrench.