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Shimano SM-RT56 180 mm 6-Bolt Disc Rotor

Name: Shimano SM-RT56 180 mm 6-Bolt Disc Rotor
Brand: Shimano

The SM-RT56 is Shimano's workhorse 6-bolt rotor, found on piles of entry and mid-level bikes and sold everywhere as a replacement. The 180 mm size is a good match for the front of a commuter e-bike and is what many 160 mm-equipped bikes upgrade to for more stopping power. One important detail: the RT56 is specified for resin pads only, so if you run sintered metallic pads you should choose a different rotor. It is a plain stamped steel rotor without a cooling fin or alloy carrier, which is exactly why it is inexpensive and durable.

Replacing a bent or worn 6-bolt rotor on an e-bike with resin padsUpgrading a front brake from 160 to 180 mm (with a caliper adapter)Riders who want a Shimano-quality rotor at a low price

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Key considerations

Resin pads only — not for metallic/sintered pads
6-bolt mount; will not fit Centerlock hubs without an adapter
Moving up a rotor size needs a matching caliper adapter and fork/frame rating
Torque the six bolts in a star pattern

Pros

Reliable Shimano quality
Widely stocked
Inexpensive

Considerations

Resin pads only
No heat management features
Bolts not always included

Compatibility notes

6-bolt (ISO) hubs; confirm your current rotor size and whether your frame/fork allows 180 mm

Keep it running

Replacement parts

Confirm fitment on your bike before ordering — see each part’s compatibility notes.

E-Bike Brake PadsFeatured

Tektro E10.11 Disc Brake Pads

Best for: E-bikes with Tektro HD-E350, HD-M275/M285/M290 style calipers and Aries/Novela mechanicals · Riders who want the OEM pad shape without guessing · Replacing worn resin pads at the first squeal

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Similar alternatives

All brake rotors →

E-Bike Brake Pads

Shimano B05S Resin Disc Brake Pads

The Shimano B-series resin pad (B01S, B03S, and the current B05S) fits the two-piston hydraulic calipers found on a huge number of commuter and entry-level mountain bikes, including many e-bikes with Shimano MT200, MT400 and Deore M6000-class brakes. Resin pads are quiet and have strong initial bite, which suits stop-and-go riding, but they wear quickly on heavy bikes in hilly areas. They are cheap enough to keep a spare set on hand. If your bike has four-piston Shimano calipers, you need the D-series pad instead.

Best for: E-bikes with Shimano MT200/MT400/MT500 and similar two-piston hydraulic calipers · Commuters who value quiet brakes · Quick, cheap pad replacement

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E-Bike Brake PadsFeatured

Tektro E10.11 Disc Brake Pads

If a budget or mid-priced e-bike has Tektro brakes, there is a good chance it takes the E10.11 pad: it fits many Tektro hydraulic calipers as well as the common Aries and Novela mechanical calipers. Tektro sells the E10.11 in resin/organic compound, and aftermarket makers offer semi-metallic and sintered versions in the same shape. Resin is quiet and bites quickly; metallic lasts longer on a heavy e-bike but can be noisier. Confirm the pad shape by checking the part number stamped on your old pads or by matching the outline before ordering.

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Brake Rotors

203 mm 6-Bolt Disc Brake Rotor, Metallic-Pad Rated (generic)

Heavy, fast e-bikes benefit from big rotors, and 203 mm is the size many fat-tire and cargo bikes ship with or upgrade to. Generic stainless 203 mm 6-bolt rotors from brands like Tektro, Jagwire and a dozen unbranded sellers are widely sold; the useful ones are stamped from one piece of stainless, rated for metallic pads, and come with six bolts. Going up to 203 mm from a smaller rotor requires a caliper adapter and a frame or fork rated for it, so this is a like-for-like replacement for most buyers rather than an upgrade.

Best for: Replacing a warped 203 mm rotor on a fat-tire or cargo e-bike · Riders using sintered pads who need a metallic-rated rotor · Heavy riders who want maximum heat capacity

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