Shimano SM-RT30 Center-Lock Disc Rotor Review

Shimano SM-RT30 Center-Lock Disc Rotor Review

I doubt many would bother to review such a humble piece of equipment as the SM-RT30 Center-Lock Disc Rotor , and I can hardly be bothered but here we are any way!

Update 2022: This rotor has lasted about 3 years. I am a heavy guy, and live in a hilly area. I probably use rear brake more than front. 

The SM-RT30 Center-Lock Disc Rotor is a disc rotor aimed at low end touring or beginners use, but inline with current engineering standards is over engineered to the point where it could be used by just about anyone for any purpose.

I have another low end shimano disc rotor I have been using for 4 years and it has been very good.

These discs I think are made by pressing or punching them from a sheet of steel alloy, as such these have a slightly rounded edge. If you buy a more expensive disc rotor they will have a machined surface. For the type of riding I do I notice no difference what so ever.

These discs are centre lock which means you will need to use the tool that you use to fit your cassette in order to screw in the locking ring, as illustrated below. The exception is when fitting these on to a hub with a nutted axle (Alfine for example) rather then a quick release axle, as most of these tools have a guide spindle that will get in the way when attaching to a nutted axle.

In conclusion I am happy (again) with my purchase and all is well. I would recommend these to anybody from old ladies to downhill racers.

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Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake Review & Install

Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake - Intro

Search the for a set of hydraulic disk brakes, sort by price and at the top of the page you will likely see  the MT200 Hydraulic Disk Brake. They're very cheap especially if order direct from the far east. I paid £35 ($60) for my front and back set with rotors!

On the Shimano website these MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brakes are described as "Altus" which is a low end offering, but with Shimano reliability. I am steel using a 20 year old Shimano Altus chainset  on one of my bikes.

This is not my first set of budget Shimano disc brakes I have a number of  Shimano M355 Brakes which I have found very good. These MT200 Brakes and the M355 also take the same pads BS01, which is a major advantage in my book.

So I clicked buy, waited for about a week, and I will now share my findings. 

Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake - Build Quality

Excellent when considering price. The moulding and the all sub-components are very neat and all edges are smooth and free from burs or any other machining defects.

The lever blade is made from a pressed steel, but this has been done is a way that results in a very comfy finger area (if that's a thing).

The brakes do not feel cheap or shoddy in any way they. Perhaps the one part that looks a bit odd is plastic cap that fits on to the inboard end of the lever housing. Bearing in mind the whole system has to contain considerable pressures, this large plastic section looks as though it could be considered a weakness, but I am quite happy to put my faith in the designers, I doubt it is a weakness it just looks like one.This plastic cap is fitted in SLX, Deore and XT brake levers so it must be well thought out.

Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake -Fitting

Fitting is a cinch. You have to remove your grips etc. to slide this thing on the bars, but that no big deal. Use hair spray squirted under grips (prise up a little with thin screwdriver or small allen key) to loosen them up and then more hair spray inside when you put them back on.

The brake are pre-bled, so it is literally the case of just attaching them to the bike, and hey presto done! Fit and forget.

NOTE: When buying a set of MT200 be sure to get the right back and front lever combo. These brakes arrived with a Rear Right Hand / Front Left Hand suitable for the USA and most of Europe, whilst i wanted Front Right Hand/ Rear Left hand is is customary in the UK and Italy. 

I did think about buying a bleed kit, prior to swapping the hoses over. As it turns out I simply unbottled them swapped them around did them up with a spanner, and they worked perfectly without any further faffing. 

Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake - Performance

Perfect. 

These MT200 brakes work as well as my M355 brakes other then that, I cannot comment. I have used by M355 brakes on a very large cargo bike, which can stop 200kg of bike, rider and children without issue.

 

Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake - Features 

Below list is taken direct from sales literature:

• Versatile design matches numerous bike styles
• Less pad rattling noise
• Braking power adjusted for entry level riders
• Accessible lever reach designed for small hands - Note: Or big hands!
• Easy, quick and clean installation
• SHIMANO Hydraulic Disc Brake performance
• Reliable braking performance with less noise

Shimano MT200 Hydraulic Disc Brake - Conclusions 

It is a perfectly good brake, and will no doubt give years of satisfactory service. The design follows features found in much higher priced models such as XT and SLX, and to be delivered even a sniff of that pedigree for £35 a set is fantastic. 

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Shimano V Brake Pads / Shoes / Blocks Compared

Shimano V Brake Pads / Shoes / Blocks Compared - Intro

Shimano make  V Brake Pads / Shoes / Blocks with a number of different compounds. This compound can be softer of harder for example to suite different rim types. Each Pad / Shoe / Block, has its own model number so you can find out which you prefer.

Shimano V Brake Pads / Shoes / Blocks Compared - Threaded 

The Below Pads have a Threaded Fitting

M70T3

70mm - Threaded Type - Performs especially well in wet conditions and may pass DIN standards. Gives off less noise, but the pad is heavier, faster rim wear and tends to fade.

M70T4 & M70W

70mm  - Threaded Type - Only for side wall machined rims. Performs especially well in wet conditions and may pass DIN standard. Tend to be low noise, low rim wear and fade.

S70T & S65T

60mm or 70mm - Performs well in dry conditions and tends to be low noise. Wears in muddy conditions

Shimano V Brake Pads / Shoes / Blocks Compared  - Un-Threaded

The below pads have an UN-Threaded Fitting

M70T2 

70mm - Performs especially well in wet conditions and may pass DIN standards. Gives off less noise, but the pad is heavier, faster rim wear and tends to fade.

M65T & M55T

65mm & 55mm - Un-Threaded - Performs especially well in wet conditions and may pass DIN standards. Faster rim wear and tends to fade.

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Shimano BR-BL-M355 Review

Shimano BR-BL-M355 Review - Intro

This is my second purchase of these brakes. I have one on the front of my cargo bike for around a year. It has been a good brake, so when my Avid BB7 on the rear of my normal bike got so stiff I couldn't adjust the pads any more, I thought I would upgrade to the BR-BL-M355. A newer budget offering from Shimano is the MT200, click link to read review. 

Basic but Neat

Shimano BR-BL-M355 Review - Build Quality

There is nothing fancy about this brake, but its does have the normal budget level of shimano quality about it. The finish is clean, the parts are well machined. I think the bleed nuts might be stainless. . .that sort of thing.

Quality Mouldings

This is a low end kit though, the brake lever is made from pressed steel plate rather than aluminium which you normally find on most breaks. But I like steel so thats cool.

Pressed Steel Lever. . Fine

Shimano BR-BL-M355 Review - Fitting

Fitting is a sinch. You have to remove your grips etc. to slide this thing on the bars, but that no big deal. Use hair spray squirted under grips (prise up a little with thin screwdriver or small allen key) to loosen them up and then more hair spray inside when you put them back on.

The brake are pre-bled, so it is literally the case of just attaching them to the bike, and hey presto done! Fit and forget.

Note Adjustment Screw for Reach

Shimano BR-BL-M355 Review - Performance

Mounted on the front of my cargo bike one of these will stop a very heavy bike on all but the steepest of hills. My cargo bike with me a 3 kids on it weighs 180kg, so thats not too shabby. On the flip side pulling this much weight to a standstill does munch the pads!

Calipers Lack. . which is good.

Performance in my experience is fine. If you want modulation or some sort of fancy braking then waste more money on "better" brakes.

Shimano BR-BL-M355 Review - Conclusion

Shimano Quality. Cheap as Chips. Stop you Well. . . . What else do you want? More bling . .shame on you! Spend the money on your wife.

Top View

Fin.

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