Center Lock is in exactly the same category of product as Trunnion Mount. On paper, there are positives from a design and implementation perspective, and if you've never had or seen issues with the product - and particularly if you own the product and have never had issues - then it may not make sense why others are down on it.
If you're interested I covered the concept - as it relates to Trunnion - in the introduction of the last piece I wrote that NSMB.com published: [**All Things Being Unequal**](https://nsmb.com/articles/all-things-being-unequal/).
As regards my opinion on Center Lock specifically, no it isn't Tribalism. I genuinely believe that 6-Bolt is a superior standard for rotor mounting. I've been working in shops since before CL came out, and I've encountered plenty of issues with the standard since. If I had to choose one thing I don't like about it, it's the fact that when rotors come loose they wear the hub interface - yes, I've seen hubs that require replacement or new hubshells. That's not the rotor interface - as you note they're a wear item - but the hub interface which means even a new rotor will have a sloppy fit (assuming the fit was tight initially).
I know, every single person who ever comments on the superiority of CL rotors always checks they're tight before a ride and has never had one come loose on the trail so wear - and not being able to tighten them trailside - isn't a concern for them. But I'll say again, loose CL rotors are a regular reality when doing bolt checks in a shop. With 6-bolt there's no hub interface to damage and a loose rotor can easily be tightened with a T-25.
On the CL pros side, I don't see how they'd be less prone to bending compared to an equivalent 6-bolt rotor (say comparing two Shimano composite aluminum/steel rotors) but I choose to run 1-piece steel rotors anyways as they're much nicer to straighten/true. In fact, other than the cleaner appearance I don't buy any advantage other than they're faster to remove and install.
Anyway, it's good that you like Center Lock as it is certainly going to become the dominant rotor-mounting standard. If you're at all interested, [**I wrote something**](https://meatengines.com/f/now-nigh-onto-no-six-bolt-hubs-i-hope-you-like-center-lock) (albeit, a bit ranty) about that too.
Cheers,
Feb. 7, 2022, 12:45 p.m. - Andrew Major
Center Lock is in exactly the same category of product as Trunnion Mount. On paper, there are positives from a design and implementation perspective, and if you've never had or seen issues with the product - and particularly if you own the product and have never had issues - then it may not make sense why others are down on it. If you're interested I covered the concept - as it relates to Trunnion - in the introduction of the last piece I wrote that NSMB.com published: [**All Things Being Unequal**](https://nsmb.com/articles/all-things-being-unequal/). As regards my opinion on Center Lock specifically, no it isn't Tribalism. I genuinely believe that 6-Bolt is a superior standard for rotor mounting. I've been working in shops since before CL came out, and I've encountered plenty of issues with the standard since. If I had to choose one thing I don't like about it, it's the fact that when rotors come loose they wear the hub interface - yes, I've seen hubs that require replacement or new hubshells. That's not the rotor interface - as you note they're a wear item - but the hub interface which means even a new rotor will have a sloppy fit (assuming the fit was tight initially). I know, every single person who ever comments on the superiority of CL rotors always checks they're tight before a ride and has never had one come loose on the trail so wear - and not being able to tighten them trailside - isn't a concern for them. But I'll say again, loose CL rotors are a regular reality when doing bolt checks in a shop. With 6-bolt there's no hub interface to damage and a loose rotor can easily be tightened with a T-25. On the CL pros side, I don't see how they'd be less prone to bending compared to an equivalent 6-bolt rotor (say comparing two Shimano composite aluminum/steel rotors) but I choose to run 1-piece steel rotors anyways as they're much nicer to straighten/true. In fact, other than the cleaner appearance I don't buy any advantage other than they're faster to remove and install. Anyway, it's good that you like Center Lock as it is certainly going to become the dominant rotor-mounting standard. If you're at all interested, [**I wrote something**](https://meatengines.com/f/now-nigh-onto-no-six-bolt-hubs-i-hope-you-like-center-lock) (albeit, a bit ranty) about that too. Cheers,