Even with many different brake products available on the market, we feel that BrakeTech products and service are superior in many ways

After researching the large amount of brake rotors available on the market, we set our sights on BrakeTech Performance Brakes in the USA. BrakeTech has really done their engineering & materials homework; they offer fresh new designs and materials that just make sense.

Like most other full-floating rotors, side-to-side movement is handled by large-size rivets between the outer rotor and center carrier. But that's where the similarities to other rotors end. With their patented "AXIS design featuring the Direct-Link™ load transfer system," during braking all of the braking forces between the outer rotor and center carrier are focused on direct-contact radial surfaces that are perpendicular to the wheel rotation.

In conventional full-floating rotor designs, the round rivets handle both the load transfer and side-to-side floating. That type of rotor is very common, and easier to manufacture. However, the round rivets are really not ideally suited to handle load transfer. In those rotors you end up with the load transfer applied to the curved outer surface of the rivet, which causes the center carrier to 'roll' slightly within the gripped outer rotor due to the round rivet shape. Also, the load forces are continually trying to deform the round shape of the rivet under braking. With BrakeTech's patented AXIS design, these things do not happen.

Having two sets of Marchesini wheels for the TLR, we decided to get separate rotors & pads for dry racing versus rain racing. For running in the dry we use Ductile Iron rotors paired with Ferodo CP2.11 carbon/ceramic race pads (also available from BrakeTech). Ductile iron rotors offer superior friction characteristics and are well suited for use with the CP2.11 pads. However, the CP2.11 pads are not well suited for rain racing, as the pads typically do not get up to the proper operating temperature. So, for running in the wet we use Stainless Steel rotors paired with Ferodo SinterGrip XRAC pads on the "wet" wheels.

For our RC51 racebike, we will start off using the Stainless Steel rotors paired with Ferodo XRAC sintered pads. While Ductile Iron/CP2.11 would be a better combination for dry racing, the Stainless/XRAC combination can be used in either dry or wet conditions.

We are very happy with BrakeTech products and the friendly knowledgeable staff that works there (especially Jeff Gehrs). They offer superior products and give excellent advice and service. With BrakeTech and Ferodo on board our racebikes, we are comfortable in the knowledge that we have superior brake components.