This guide compares five Shimano 160mm 6-bolt rotors for compatible XC and trail builds: SM-RT26, SM-RT56, SM-RT66, SM-RT76 and SM-RT86. They range from budget resin-pad models to an ICE TECHNOLOGIES cooling upgrade. All five mount directly to 6-bolt hubs.
Two wheels need two rotors
Every linked listing below sells one rotor per item. For a complete 160/160mm setup, choose the 160mm size and buy quantity 2. Six fixing bolts or “two-piece construction” does not mean two rotors are included.
Compare 2 × the single-rotor price, plus shipping and any missing hardware, against a genuine two-pack if you find one. A two-pack must explicitly include two 160mm rotors; a 160/180mm bundle is different. The offers linked here are singles.
Front and rear can use the same rotor when both hubs are 6-bolt and both ends are approved for 160mm. If your fork requires a larger front rotor, buy one 160mm rear rotor and the separately approved front size.
Check the brake and hub before ordering
Hub fit: these are 6-bolt rotors. Use the correct six fixing bolts per wheel and follow Shimano’s installation sequence and torque instructions. Confirm the hardware included with the exact seller’s listing.
Pad fit: RT26 and RT56 are resin-only and support compatible wide- or narrow-pad calipers, including MT200 where approved by Shimano. RT66, RT76 and RT86 support resin or metal pads with compatible narrow-pad calipers. Do not choose a rotor by diameter alone: match your caliper and pad shape in Shimano’s chart.
Diameter: 160mm can suit an approved XC / light-trail setup, but sustained descending, rider weight and terrain may call for a larger approved size. Match the frame, fork, caliper mount and adapter requirements at each wheel.
Price
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Entry-level price tierCompare the total for two rotors against RT56; seller prices can overlap.
Performance
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Basic stainless-steel rotorSimple one-piece design for compatible recreational XC and light-trail builds.
Value
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Budget resin-pad choiceA practical option when low cost and wide-pad compatibility matter.
Hub Mount
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6-bolt hubMatch the hub and confirm the correct fixing bolts are supplied.
Pad Compatibility
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Resin pads only; wide or narrowA compatible option for MT200 and other calipers listed in Shimano’s chart. Never use metal pads.
Two-Rotor Order
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Buy 2 individual rotorsThe checked 160mm Amazon listing specifies Number of Items: 1.
Price
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Affordable price tierCompare two-rotor pricing with RT26 before choosing.
Performance
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Standard stainless-steel constructionNo ICE TECHNOLOGIES aluminum core; designed for resin pads.
Value
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Useful resin-pad optionA straightforward match for compatible wide-pad or narrow-pad builds.
Hub Mount
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6-bolt hubUse six correct fixing bolts per wheel and Shimano’s mounting procedure.
Pad Compatibility
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Resin pads only; wide or narrowChoose this for an approved resin-pad setup. Metal pads require a different rotor.
Two-Rotor Order
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Buy 2 individual rotorsThe linked 160mm Amazon listing contains one rotor, not a pair.
Price
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Affordable metal-pad optionA useful starting point for a two-rotor XC build with 6-bolt hubs.
Performance
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One-piece stainless steelNo aluminum-core ICE TECHNOLOGIES cooling construction.
Value
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Our value 6-bolt pickGood budget positioning when basic steel rotors meet your needs.
Hub Mount
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6-bolt hubUses six rotor fixing bolts per wheel. Center Lock hubs need a specifically compatible adapter.
Pad Compatibility
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Resin or metal; narrow padsNot listed as a wide-pad MT200 rotor. Confirm caliper and pad fit.
Two-Rotor Order
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Buy 2 individual rotorsThe checked Amazon listing says Number of Items: 1; Jenson is also one rotor per item.
Shimano SM-RT76 — 160mm
6-Bolt • Sold individually
Older Alloy-Carrier OptionFront + rear: buy quantity 2
See Amazon Price - 1 Rotor
Price
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Compare current seller pricesOlder-model availability and shipping can change its value substantially.
Performance
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Steel track with aluminum carrierTwo-piece construction adds an alloy support spider; it is not an ICE TECHNOLOGIES sandwich track.
Value
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Worth considering at the right priceCompare directly with RT66 and RT86; an older model is not automatically a bargain.
Hub Mount
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6-bolt hubThe checked Amazon offer lists six bolts and three rotor-bolt washers.
Pad Compatibility
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Resin or metal; narrow padsUse only with calipers approved for the rotor in Shimano’s compatibility chart.
Two-Rotor Order
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Buy 2 individual rotorsThe linked 160mm Amazon listing specifies Number of Items: 1.
Price
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Higher-cost 6-bolt optionCompare two complete rotor prices against RT66 before upgrading.
Performance
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ICE TECHNOLOGIES aluminum coreStainless-steel braking faces surround an aluminum core for heat management.
Value
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Our 6-bolt cooling pickA useful upgrade for compatible XC / trail builds with more sustained braking.
Hub Mount
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6-bolt hubUse the specified fixing hardware and installation sequence.
Pad Compatibility
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Resin or metal; narrow padsConfirm caliper compatibility; do not assume wide pads fit the braking track.
Two-Rotor Order
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Buy 2 individual rotorsThe checked Amazon listing says Number of Items: 1; Jenson sells one rotor per item.
Which would we choose?
Resin-pad budget build: compare RT26 and RT56, especially for an MT200 setup. Value with metal-pad compatibility: start with RT66. Alloy-carrier alternative: consider the older RT76 if current price and stock are attractive. Cooling-focused XC / trail build: compare RT86 for its steel / aluminum / steel ICE TECHNOLOGIES track. Compare the cost of two rotors, including shipping and hardware.
Finish the build
Confirm 160mm diameter and standard rotor-thickness compatibility with the exact caliper. These are standard-thickness rotors, not the newer 2.2mm gravity models. RT76 is an older Shimano design and may have more limited availability than the other options. Follow Shimano’s mounting and bedding-in instructions, and keep oil and grease off the braking surfaces.
Choosing brakes too? See our Shimano 2-piston XC / trail brake guide.
