Disc brake rotors typically include many cut-outs for weight savings, but those holes often serve as the perfect place for pad-eating sand and dirt to camp out and wear down brake pads. Over the course of the season, we’ve seen this proven several times: Cyclocross Magazine’s Andrew Yee attended a mid-season wet cyclocross race, and along with Justin Robinson and Don Myrah, wore through disc brake pads halfway into the race.
140mm solid rotors on Ryan Trebon’s Cannondale SuperX High Mod Disc cyclocross bike. © Clifford Lee
By eliminating the dirt-storing holes, solid rotors have the potential to reduce pad wear in tough, gritty conditions, and we spotted the pictured solid rotors on Ryan Trebon’s carbon Cannondale SuperX Hi-Mod Disc Brake cyclocross bike at the 2013 Cyclocross World Championships during the course recon session on Friday afternoon.
Trebon’s Cannondale was equipped with these solid rotors in a 140mm size front and rear (160mm in the front is typical). These rotors also have 4 more “spokes” compared to the stock BB7 rotor.
It’s also interesting to note that Trebon was using the stock Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes over the new BB7 SL brakes that his teammates were using.
Rear 140mm solid rotors on Ryan Trebon’s Cannondale SuperX High Mod Disc cyclocross bike. © Clifford Lee
When questioned about these unique rotors on Trebon’s bike (Tim Johnson was still running the stock BB7 rotors), a Cannondale p/b CyclocrossWorld mechanic was coy, saying, “They’re just a bit different.”
Ryan Trebon’s bike – as if you can’t tell from the size. © Clifford Lee
If conditions are really nasty on Saturday, we’re guessing Trebon is hoping his new rotor will be the key difference to help him achieve a strong result.
Ryan Trebon’s Cannondale Hi-Mod SuperX Disc brake cyclocross bike. © Clifford Lee
Zipp 303 carbon rims – but without the worries of carbon braking surfaces on Ryan Trebon’s Cannondale SuperX High Mod Disc. © Clifford Lee
