Galfer Bike launches its innovative fixed version of the Disc Shark®, the most complete MTB brake disc available today. Its innovative manufacturing process uses laser cutting to create the optimal design geometry and achieve the best possible performance.
In 2021 Galfer Bike started to develop the prototype of its new brake disc for “gravity” disciplines (DH/Enduro), which was used by the riders of the UCI DH Commencal Muc-Off team last season. This disc, together with Galfer Pro brake pads, helped Myriam Nicole win the World Championship, and brought several World Cup victories and podiums for Amaury Pierron and Thibaut Dapréla.
Thanks to Galfer’s R+D+i department, with the collaboration of Martin Maes (Orbea Fox Enduro Team) and Alex Marin (IJ Racing), among others, the 2022 disc has evolved and improved considerably. Galfer Bike now launches its new Disc Shark® for the most demanding “gravity” DH and Enduro riders. In a second phase they will also be available for Cross-Country disciplines.
One of the disc’s unique characteristics is the inner fin that gives it its name: Disc Shark®. These fins, together with the rotor’s small internal round holes allow the operating temperature of the disc to be reduced, while the rotor’s exterior Wave design and lateral openings give it a powerful and homogeneous grip over the full contact area of the brake pad.
Its main features are:
1.- GREATER BRAKING POWER: the Disc Shark®’s design means that less pressure is required in the brake line under the most fatiguing conditions, meaning less effort is required to brake. This translates into a 5-10% increase in braking power under normal conditions.
2.- MORE STABILITY: even in the least favourable conditions in terms of temperature (steep gradients, high speeds, high ambient temperature and large mass), the Disc Shark® maintains stable and consistent behaviour at all times. Its structural design adapts to the different disc diameters to achieve adequate stiffness for each model.
3.- LOWER OPERATING TEMPERATURE: the Disc Shark® drastically reduces the operating temperature – a 30% reduction compared to other high-end discs currently on the market – and is manufactured as one piece for greater strength.
4.- LONGER BRAKE PAD LIFE: under normal conditions brake pad life is increased by 25-40% with Disc Shark®.
5.- LIGHTER DISC: the Disc Shark® is lighter than most other high-end brake discs on the market thanks to the optimised design of both the rotor and the hub.
The new Disc Shark® will be available from June 2022 in the following sizes, weights and prices:
- DB023W (ø180 x 2.0 mm – 127 g): €85 + VAT
- DB024W (ø203 x 2.0 mm – 174 g): €90 + VAT
- DB027W (ø223 x 2.0 mm – 237 g): €95 + VAT
The Disc Shark® ushers in a new era of improved braking performance for bicycles, in many cases allowing the original size of the disc to be reduced without causing fatigue or overheating.
Martin Maes (Orbea Fox Enduro Team rider): “Since testing the new Galfer Bike Disc Shark® I have experienced increased braking power with great stability at all times. The brake always responds the same way in any situation no matter how extreme and, combined with Galfer Pro brake pads, the breaking control has a fantastic feel. We even tried reducing the disc size I use on the Enduro bike to 180 mm to get a more progressive feel and, at the same time, reduce a bit of weight. Even with the 180-mm disc I haven’t had any fatigue or overheating issues at any point.”
Alex Marin (DH rider of the IJ Racing Team): “We have been working with Galfer for several years now because their brake components give something “extra” to the system. Over the last few years I have tried different brakes from different brands and the Galfer combination has always provided better braking performance and feel. Therefore, for me it is a key product and one that I recommend to everyone. The new Disc Shark® gives a feeling of great stability in the brake system and this allows me to relax my hand more on long descents, where other brakes would overheat, and focus on riding. For me the Galfer Bike brake combination is indispensable!”
The new Disc Shark® complements Galfer Bike’s range of brake discs, including the traditional Disc Wave®. These discs are on another level since they achieve the best performance ever seen in a commercial disc. At the same time the Disc Wave® is still one of the most competitive brake discs on the market in terms of value for money and for its performance in extremely muddy conditions, which is thanks to the large openings that allow more effective braking in the most unfavourable conditions.
The present and future of bicycle brake discs goes by the name of Disc Shark®.
Download the Disc Shark® brochure: https://galfer.eu/bike/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/brochure-disc-shark-pages.pdf
