Center lock to Six-Bolt?

Q: I bought a bike that has Shimano Center Lock brake rotors, but all of my spare/extra rotors use the six-bolt design. Is there any sort of adapter or way to make them work with the Center Lock wheels?
Jeff Granger
Boise, Idaho

A: Like many other things in mountain biking, certain riders feel strongly about their preference for either six-bolt or Center Lock brake rotors. Some think that Center Lock rotors are superior and offer easier installation, in addition to being more secure, while others think that six-bolt rotors are better and more effective in keeping the rotor in place.

Here at Mountain Bike Action, most of us are fairly indifferent and don’t have a strong preference either way, as we’ve had trouble-free performance from both options. For riders like yourself who have recently acquired a bike with Center Lock rotors but want to continue using your existing six-bolt ones, luckily there is a solution so you don’t need to go out and spend your hard-earned cash on all-new rotors.

Many component companies, like Shimano and TRP, make adapter kits that safely and securely allow Center Lock hubs to be compatible with six-bolt rotors. These kits consist of an adapter that attaches to the rotor in the six-bolt configuration, which is then secured to the hub using the traditional Center Lock method and usually includes a lock ring to keep everything tight and in place.

There are options for both 12mm and 15–20mm axles, so both single-crown and downhill bikes can be converted. Adapter kits are simple and straightforward, yet they’re extremely effective in letting you convert your six-bolt brake rotors and saving you quite a bit of money. They’re also cheap compared to buying multiple sets of rotors, with most adapter kits costing under $50 per wheel.