TESTED: Galfer Wave Rotors and Pro Disc Pads

Earlier this year I welcomed a Trek Fuel EX8 into the shed as a long term test bike. Having thoroughly enjoyed my time aboard the Trek Fuel EX 9.9 AXS model last year, I knew it was a platform that deserved a lot more trail time. Part of the fun of that has been playing wioth a few choice upgrades or parts changes – and one I felt that could use some minor work was the brakes. While Shimano SLX 4-piston brakes are fantastic, I thought I could eek a little more feel and performance out of them with a couple of upgrades. Brake pads and rotors are a wear item, so matching them to your needs when you need to replace them is a good idea. While the stock units were not yet very worn, I opted to fit up Galfer Wave rotors and Pro disc pads, which would be smart upgrade replacements.

A closer look

The Galfer Disc Wave rotor has, you guessed it, a slightly wavey profile. Don't worry, it's not laterally wavey! The laser cut rotor is made from stainless steel, which is an ideal upgrade if you have a lower spec rotor. They're available in 160-223mm sizes, and there are options for centrelock and 6 bolt, and 2mm or 1.8mm. I used 203mm and 180mm 6-bolt 2mm rotors to replace the stock Shimano rotors. The rotors are quite light at 170/140g each respectively. And while the wavey shape does look cool – it also really helps with shedding mud, according to Galfer.

I matched the Disc Wave rotors to Galfer Pro pads. While I have no illusions about being pro, or riding like one, they have some cool features. They're said to need no time to bed in, have top stopping power, be pretty good in the wet, have high resistance to fading – but not awesome durability. So the Pro name comes more from the race scenario – having fresh pads fitted and needing them to work, right away.

Fitting the rotors and pads was a cinch. The Disc Wave rotors came with nice colour matched black T25 bolts, and the pads slipped straight in. I did a quick bucket bleed on the brakes to quickly clear some suspected bubbles and to account for the new pads and slightly thicker rotors, and then I was away.

On the trail

A brake pad that says it doesn't need time to bed in sounds dubious. The bedding in process of a brake pad is essentially some of the pad material bonding to the rotor. So when you're braking, the pad has something to create friction against. Still, within the first two short descents on the Galfer combination I was pleased to find I had very good power and great modulation. It is hard to say at first whether I had more power than the Shimano items they replaced, but despite being in wet and gritty conditions the brakes worked powerfully – and quietly.

The braking just got better through that ride, and the consistency was fantastic. The thicker rotors should be able to dissipate heat better – although I just don't see the descents around Brisbane challenging a set of 4-piston brakes. But this is something worth noting for an enduro bike or trail bike in a very hilly area.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, the dry Queensland winter gavce me but one wet day of testing. Since then we have had ideal riding conditions, and the pads are wearing really well. While Galfer state that the Pro pads wear faster than others, so far I'm getting good wear, and potentially better than the Advanced pads that I have used in the past.

Our take

There are many parts to a braking system, from the pads, to the rotors, rotor size, the brakes, the maintenance – and even the tyres doing the braking on the ground. Pads and rotors are an ideal place to upgrade the equipment to something that suits your needs, and the Galfer Disc Wave rotor and their pad range are well worth a look, with options for just about any bike from XC to DH.

From: FESports.com.au

Disc Wave Rotors: From $59.95
Pro Brake Pads: From $29.95

Hits:

• Strong and light rotor
• High quality finish
• Quiet and powerful braking

Misses:

• Not many, match pads/rotors to your needs