Galfer & the Continental Atherton Team Partner for the 2023 Season

Mar 4, 2023
by Dario Ortiz  
photo

Press Release: Galfer

The well-known manufacturer of brake components is joining forces with the prestigious Continental Atherton race team in 2023 and will equip all its bikes with the “Disc Shark®” discs and the Pro G1554T and Advanced G1851 pads at the UCI DH World Cup 2023.

This fantastic partnership between Spanish brake manufacturer Galfer Bike and British bike brand Atherton Bikes will see them equip all their downhill competition bikes with Galfer brake components as of the 2023 season. Andreas Kolb and Charlie Hatton set the Men's Elite category on fire in 2022, with a total of five podiums and eight “Top Ten” finishes in DH World Cup. In addition, Andreas Kolb is the current European DH Elite Champion and is ranked third worldwide in the UCI. The team also includes its founders - Dan, Gee and Rachel Atherton - who will combine their participation in exhibition events with a few races during the 2023 season. The roster is completed with Jim Monro and junior rider Dom Platt.

photo

The Galfer Bike brand of brake components was created in 1952 and began its production activity for bicycles in 1998, only for leading European teams (Magura, Formula and Hope). The aftermarket brand was born in 2012 and has worked constantly since then to increase its international recognition and improve its brake products. The riders and staff at Atherton Racing are excited about Galfer Bike becoming a sponsor and they highlight the improved braking performance:

Andreas Kolb (Continental Atherton Rider):
”Stoked to be back on Galfer products for 2023. I’ve been on Galfer a few years ago and really liked their stuff back then so I’m very happy to go into the 2023 season with a brake set-up that I can trust absolutely.”

Tom Lloyd (Continental Atherton Team Manager):
“We have always held the Galfer brand in high regard and we are really happy to be in a position to be able to use their discs and pads for 2023. So much of rider performance on track is linked to confidence, 100% trust in the components is of the highest importance, nowhere more so than the brakes.”

photo
photo
photo

The Disc Shark® discs are the flagship product of the Galfer Bike catalogue. Their innovative design will ensure improved braking capacity for the riders of the Atherton team. The team will be able to choose between the ø203 mm and ø223 mm sizes, depending on the track and weather conditions. The choice of pads will also depend on these variables: Pro G1554T for dry conditions and Advanced G1851 for wet, muddy and damp conditions.

The Atherton Racing team will compete in the UCI DH World Cup, the 2023 World Championships and various exhibition events, such as the spectacular Red Bull Hardline and some of the Crankworx festivals.

photo

More details: https://galfer.eu/bike/galfer-bike-and-continental-atherton-together-for-the-2023-season/

Author Info:
GALFER avatar

Member since Jan 17, 2018
15 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

44 Comments
  • 23 0
 Does someone has an objective review of Galfer rotors that isn’t a sponsored athlete? Because $100 a pop is pricey even by my book. I think Intend bc rotor is cheaper than that.
  • 8 0
 Their disk wave rotors in 2.0 thickness are fantastic, and cheaper (at least here) than most others. Although, I have never gotten one that was straight, I always have to true them after install.
  • 2 0
 Ive been told you can find them cheaper. The sharks work really well. id give their pads a try at the minimum.
  • 3 0
 I just picked up some Galfer rotors off Bikeinn for $36.99 each CAD. They look like a really nice rotor and I'm excited to give them a try.
  • 4 0
 It's more the combo you should be after. Their rotors with the green pads hit like hammers.
I first got on em when I was running codes as it increased Stopping power by what felt like a considerable margin and was cheaper than moving to new brakes at the time.

I do find none of their wave rotors come "perfectly true" which is a bit annoying but the performance is impressive. Just getting the rotors may not really be worth it but I can for sure say, You want more bite? Get the rotors and pads.
  • 3 0
 @TheBearDen: same for MTX pads. Awesome combo with Galfer rotors
  • 1 0
 I have the fixed wave on second bike in a row and I love them, using the cheapest pads from their line (tried all) and I'm not thinking about a change
  • 1 0
 Galfer wave 223 are very good, mine were also almost true from the getgo.
  • 1 0
 I’ve got 246 galfer rotors that are sick. But if you’re gonna run 220 or less I’d buy trp or sram rotors every time. To me the rotor isn’t too special but it’s big
  • 1 0
 Non-objective: I love them because they are made in Spain and they stop my wheels like crazy.
  • 2 1
 Depending on where you live, the cheapest way to get Galfer rotors is to use the Magura Storm HC (same 2mm width as Galfer Wave fixed and floating). I'm yet to test the "Sharks" but based on 5 years plus of using their rotors (all variants) I'm expecting nothing less than great performance, especially on long alpine descents (1000m vert).

The secret to their products is to start with a "clean" set and then stick to the same brake pad compound for most consistent performance. Start with a fresh rotor with a fresh set of e.g. Green (G1554T compound) and stick to that combo as you go along. The brake power, bite and consistency is unreal.

The only downside to G1554T is that it doesn't hold up very well in foul weather (it's a "FRO" compound after all) and for long periods of time. However, you can use the same approach as described above with the Purple (G1652) compound (e-bike specific). It holds up much better over time and in foul weather for only a small give up in brake performance (mostly fading).
  • 1 0
 I'm on two piston XT's, I use their 2mm thick wave discs (200 front 180 rear). I tried with the purple pads to start with. They worked well enough but I could not notice a major performance increase. Additionally, I wore those purple pads down within a few weeks. I'm now back on Shimano sintered pads as they last me so much longer (3-4 Months). I enjoy the added thickness of the rotors as they are a little more resistant to bending and probably last longer than the shimano XT discs.
  • 1 0
 @FreerideAK: idk man, its $120 for 203mm on jensonusa. its the same every where else. Like i don't mind spending money for all things MTB. but there needs to be some justifiable reason to drop that much. compared to $60 for a TRP rotor.
  • 3 1
 @Lambdo: unless you get something exotic like trickstuff power pads sram and shimano metallics are about as good as it gets. Huge fan of the shimano metallics personally. The performance is unreal and they last for ages.
  • 8 0
 I gotta say this is the team I cheer the most. Gee, Rachel and Dan are such an inspiration to me. The young guns on the team should be good too!
  • 8 2
 Wondering which side terminated the contract with Trickstuff. There aren't really better brakes than those.
  • 29 0
 Maybe Athertons didn't want to wait til 2024
  • 3 0
 I'm only seeing that they're using Galfers pads & rotors. Is there other news saying what actual brakes they're using?
  • 9 0
 @w0dge: Yep, these are Hayes Dominion's now.
  • 8 0
 @vikoszekely: which are also great and with the dualport design you get ALL the air out. Never ridden the legendary Trickstuff so I cant compare, though. But I would take Dominions over saints or Maguras every day.
  • 4 1
 Spoke to someone at Atherton and it’s like every one says , No supply etc
Ohh and by the way I have the Trickstuff Maximas and they are amazing.
What a shame they can’t supply to the demand.
  • 1 0
 @vikoszekely: Ah, ok. Cheers dude.
  • 3 0
 ...and as far as I know/remember Trickstuff was bought by DT Swiss
  • 2 1
 @Vinnijussi: cheap as chips too. Really want to try a set, heard good things and being able to align the calliper easily is a game changer in my eyes.
  • 1 0
 acc. to the trickstuff Boss it's about money, not availability...
(he posted on a german forum...)
  • 1 0
 @listeryu: YES!
B2B online shop is closed for about 2 years now.
Availability sees a slight increase at bike24/BC/R2 bikeshops in Germany though. As have the prices.... Frown
  • 3 0
 I have cheaper galfer rotors that were on sale for maybe around $35-45. They are better than XT rotors they replaced and are lasting well.
  • 1 0
 I use galfers pads and rotors on a rental fleet of 50 emtb and city ebikes. Nothing works better or lasts longer and they are cheaper than the SRAM or Shimano stuff they replace. Just use the standard discs and pads mostly. The ebike pads do seem to last a wee bit longer but not much over the standard. The floating discs are really impressive too but quite expensive.
  • 2 0
 I've just got some pro pads, havnt installed yet, will be using on codes, worth sanding back current rotors before bedding in?
  • 2 0
 Impressive brake pads and rotors cheaper than top brands and even better quality than some of them…
  • 3 0
 Wish they did a 2.3mm version.
  • 1 0
 Agree. I think hope and trp are the only manufacturers of 2.3mm thick rotors.
  • 1 0
 Galfer Green for me. WC mechanic recommended them.
  • 1 0
 I’ve had good luck with the 1554T pads on my XT brakes.
  • 1 0
 Cannot unsee that syringe of brake fluid inches from the pads and discs...
  • 1 0
 Are the Atherton's off Atherton?
  • 1 3
 Prestigious? Not sure they are in that league just yet. Boutique, rare yes.
  • 6 0
 Obviously dude, you are not a Galfer.
  • 1 2
 They will miss Trickstuff I'd bet.
  • 1 0
 I'm sure they could run whatever brake they'd like, and yet here we are
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.036885
Mobile Version of Website