Difference between Shimano SM-RT800 and RT-CL800 Rotors?

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bmcman
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 3:17 pm

by bmcman

Other than the design, is there any difference between Shimano SM-RT800 and RT-CL800 Rotors please?
Are the CL's a newer version?
I'm getting these for my BMC Roadmachine in 160mm.

TobinHatesYou
Posts: 12456
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm

by TobinHatesYou

bmcman wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:34 am
Other than the design, is there any difference between Shimano SM-RT800 and RT-CL800 Rotors please?
Are the CL's a newer version?
I'm getting these for my BMC Roadmachine in 160mm.

CL800 is definitely improved over the older RT800. IMO the MT800s are better still than the CL800s.

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snaxez
Posts: 311
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:14 pm
Location: Estonia

by snaxez

RT-CL800 is new version for Ultegra and RT-CL900 is new for Dura-Ace.
RT-CL900 at least is more heavy than XTR rotors RT-MT900.
Get the new CL800/CL900 or MT800/MT900.
Dura-Ace/XTR versions have that black paint on fins, that they say dissipates more heat. Lightest option will be MT800 or MT900.

SM-RT800 160mm - 128g
SM-RT900 160mm - 117g
RT-CL800 160mm - 114g
RT-CL900 160mm - 114g
RT-MT800 160mm - 108g
RT-MT900 160mm - 108g
Last edited by snaxez on Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

bmcman
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 3:17 pm

by bmcman

TobinHatesYou wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:47 am
bmcman wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:34 am
Other than the design, is there any difference between Shimano SM-RT800 and RT-CL800 Rotors please?
Are the CL's a newer version?
I'm getting these for my BMC Roadmachine in 160mm.
How are they better please?
I already have an SM-RT800 rotor ready to go on, and would prefer the same look on both front and rear. If I get a CL the look and colour would be quite different between the two.
CL800 is definitely improved over the older RT800. IMO the MT800s are better still than the CL800s.

bmcman
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 3:17 pm

by bmcman

Visible differences:
Attachments
DE85BA41-29C7-4259-8D71-B260B7299F9E.jpeg
EB386AB2-3F2B-44A6-8472-01E9486C0869.jpeg

bmcman
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 3:17 pm

by bmcman

snaxez wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:50 am
RT-CL800 is new version for Ultegra and RT-CL900 is new for Dura-Ace.
RT-CL900 at least is more heavy than XTR rotors RT-MT900.
Get the new CL800/CL900 or MT800/MT900.
Dura-Ace/XTR versions have that black paint on fins, that they say dissipates more heat. Lightest option will be MT800 or MT900.

SM-RT800 160mm - 128g
SM-RT900 160mm - 117g
RT-CL800 160mm - 114g
RT-CL900 160mm - 114g
RT-MT800 160mm - 108g
RT-MT900 160mm - 108g
Wow- quite a weight difference! 👍🏽

TobinHatesYou
Posts: 12456
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm

by TobinHatesYou

bmcman wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:56 am

How are they better please?

The MT800's irregularly shaped vents result in less perceived noise.

ooo
Posts: 1590
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 12:59 pm

by ooo

Image
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Nickldn
Posts: 1866
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:35 am

by Nickldn

Sorry to broaden the topic of this thread. How do the new gen Shimano rotors compare to Galfer Wave rotors in terms of braking power and fade?

140mm 88.5g inc lockring
20230325_134905.jpg
160mm 108.9g inc lockring
20230325_131840.jpg
The Galfers are lighter, but not by much.
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg

Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg

SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress

Maddie
Posts: 1532
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:44 am

by Maddie

All Ultegra and Dura Ace rotors that I have used in the past have a tendency to warp under heavy braking. I switched to Galfer rotors because of that.

Nickldn
Posts: 1866
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:35 am

by Nickldn

Maddie wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 10:19 am
All Ultegra and Dura Ace rotors that I have used in the past have a tendency to warp under heavy braking. I switched to Galfer rotors because of that.
Thanks, so you find braking power to be as good with the Galfers?
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg

Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg

SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress

CampagYOLO
Posts: 705
Joined: Thu May 06, 2021 3:58 pm

by CampagYOLO

I've got bikes with both Shimano and Galfer rotors. There is no loss in braking power with the Galfer rotors and I've had no episodes of warping with them.
Only issue was that one 160mm rotor I received from them did need trueing but that only took a few mins and it's be fine ever since.

Maddie
Posts: 1532
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2017 5:44 am

by Maddie

I also find that braking power and modulation mainly depends on the brake pads, not the rotors.

bmcman
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2023 3:17 pm

by bmcman

TobinHatesYou wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 7:13 am
bmcman wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 6:56 am

How are they better please?

The MT800's irregularly shaped vents result in less perceived noise.
So MT800's are the way forwards!
Strange as they're the cheapest of the bunch at just £39 each! :thumbup:

Nickldn
Posts: 1866
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:35 am

by Nickldn

Thanks, good to know. Both rotors are true out of the box.

They will be used with Shimano brake pads, so a win all round in terms of lower cost and lighter weight than Shimano.

I wonder why Shimano persist with their complex aluminium sandwich technology. They could just buy Galfer to access the technology and manufacturing base.
Giant Propel Advanced SL Red Etap 11s Easton EC90 wheels CeramicSpeed BB Zipp SL70 bars 6.5kg

Vitus ZX1 CRS Campy Chorus 12s Bora WTO 45 disk brake wheels Zipp SL70 bars 7.5kg

SL8 build with Craft CS5060 Wheels in progress

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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