Until recently, I hadn’t thought much about the Shimano CenterLock hub/rotor standard. I had brushed it off as another Shimano proprietary design made just to frustrate and confuse consumers (yeah, Shimano does that sometimes). But, after thinking it through, I can see some merit to the design.
But, with those positives, come lots of compatibility questions and other problems. So, I’ve compiled a quick list of what I see as positives and negatives of both the Shimano CenterLock and the 6-bolt standard used by everyone else. You make the call which is preferred and chime in below with your own take on things. I’m not set either way, but always lean towards sticking with the standard 6-bolt, however, if Shimano is onto something, maybe that “standard” should change?
Shimano CenterLock Rotors
This system involves a channeled rotor attachment and matching hub that provides a secure and always-centered rotor. The system is patented by Shimano and licensed by several hub manufacturers including DT Swiss and Mavic. Here are the positive and negatives I see with the Shimano CenterLock design:
Good CenterLock
- Rotors are always centered around the hub
- Stripping a bolt and rendering the hub useless is eliminated
- Rotors are more difficult to bend due to the reinforced inner spider ring
- Easy rotor removal for shipping or transport
- Hub weight can be less than ISO 6-bolt due to reduction of reinforced side area
Bad CenterLock
- Compatibility issues have resulted in funky adapters
- Lack of mass-market adoption and options from high-end hub makers Chris King, Industry Nine, etc.
- Really only compatible with Shimano brakes, but their brakes are solid performers
- Oddball 180mm diameter rotor vs. 185mm from other manufacturers
- Rotors are slightly heavier and can cost twice as much
- Need to buy a Centerlock wrench
ISO Standard 6-bolt Disc Rotors
This is what has been used by all manufacturers since it was adopted in the late 1990’s. Rotors are simple and available in standard rotor diameters that are readily interchangeable between all other brake manufacturers including Hayes, Avid, Magura, Hope and even Shimano. Yes, Shimano still plays in this market while at the same time pushing the CenterLock option.
Good 6-bolt
- Rotors and adapters are readily available
- Plethora of brake options
- Lots of hub choices
- Rotors can be half the price of CenterLock designs
Bad 6-bolt
- Can install rotors off-center
- Removal for shipping is cumbersome
- Risk of stripping a bolt
- Multiple points of failure (6 bolts)
In the end, the choice is up to you as there are good and bad with each design. I’m always reluctant to adopt any proprietary design, but the CenterLock has some merit if you are starting from scratch. But, if you are retrofitting your bike and wish to use Shimano CenterLock, you’re in for some serious sticker shock with all the parts you’ll have to replace.
Chime in… what do you see as good/bad with each design?
Buy Now: Search for Shimano CenterLock
Growing up in Seattle, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continued as he founded 
One more… Torque wrench required! Center lock is nice but I don’t own it. Post hits the nail about about 100% on the head…
I suppose to be legit, you really should have a torque wrench for both ISO and Centerlock, but you do need a new wrench to tighten down the Centerlock ring.
I think that you have a good grasp of the Pro’s and Con’s of the Center Lock. That being said, I think we can extend the benefits a bit and also comment on some of the drawbacks:
1) An additional benefit is that the ease of removal actually encourages removal during air travel, shipping, or other transport that can also save a destination trip from a fate where a bike shows up with a bent rotor without a replacement in sight.
2) Any six bolt hub can be built relatively lighter with Center Lock because you don’t require the large reinforced threaded area. Some may argue that our hubs are heavier, but they would be heavier with six bolt. Other designs using six bolt would likely be lighter (more than off-setting any increase in rotor weight).
3) While I can’t officially go out and tell anyone to use Shimano rotors with another company’s brakes, I find it interesting that this is the only part of a bike where a cyclist seems concerned with compatibility. In other words, they’ll use a brand X chain with a Shimano derailleur or cassette, and another company’s crank. So, do you have to use Shimano brakes with Shimano rotors or vice versa, we certainly recommend it and it’s the only way that we guarantee performance, but that’s no different than other part of the bike.
4) Typically our 180mm rotors work with most 7 inch adapters.
Thanks for giving us an opportunity to chime in.
~ Devin Walton, Shimano Bike PR
from a structural engineer’s point of view, the centerlock is better in resisting all forces exerted on the points/planes of contact. whereas in the 6-bolted design it’s all shearing forces, in the centerlock design what resists the forces are the small surfaces (planes if u may) thus it’s a bearing stress thing and bearing capacity for metal components is always desired than shearing capacity…from Statics of Rigid Bodies or Strength of Materials formulas, it can be proven that the centerlock design can better withstand the braking forces.
Emerald… great points. From a structural perspective, I can completely see the merits of Centerlock. You enginerds have to get all technical on us with Rigid Bodies and stuff.
But, it makes complete sense. Thanks man!