Aztec HexVent Ultra Lightweight Floating Rotor CL 180

The Aztec HexVent Ultra Lightweight Floating Rotor CL 180 stands out on the bike thanks to its distinctive design, but thankfully it isn’t all style and no substance. Lightweight, quiet and dependable, it dealt with everything I threw at it without complaint, making it a solid upgrade for riders looking to save a few grams.

Setup

The 160mm rotors were fitted to both a road bike and gravel bike during testing, allowing them to experience everything from fast road descents to rough gravel tracks.

As you’d expect, installation was straightforward, with no issues getting them mounted and aligned. Once fitted, they bedded in quickly and were ready to go after only a short period of riding.

Weight is one of the headline features of the HexVent rotors, and the tested rotor came in at 98g on my scales, almost exactly matching Aztec’s claimed figure. Whilst a few grams here or there won’t transform a bike, weight-conscious riders will appreciate the saving over many standard rotors.

Performance

Ultimately, a rotor’s job is fairly simple: provide reliable braking and stay out of the way. In that regard, the HexVent rotors performed brilliantly.

Braking power was consistent throughout testing, with good lever feel and predictable modulation. More importantly, they remained completely drama-free. There were no strange noises, no rubbing issues and no unwanted vibrations, regardless of whether they were fitted to the road bike or gravel bike.

Testing included long descents, rough gravel riding and wet weather, all of which can expose weaknesses in a braking system, yet the HexVent rotors remained impressively composed. Heat management appeared excellent, with no signs of warping or performance degradation during harder efforts.

Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay them is that they were remarkable only in how unremarkable they were. They simply got on with the job, delivering dependable braking every ride without ever demanding attention.

Value

The biggest challenge facing the HexVent rotors is the strength of the competition. Performance is undeniably good, but it’s difficult to point to an area where they noticeably outperform established alternatives.

The value of a disc rotor will always come down to what you prioritise. Shimano’s RT-CL700 Ice-Tech rotors provide capable, confidence-inspiring stopping power for significantly less money – albeit with a weight penalty and without the floating construction or premium detailing of the HexVents.

For the same £54.99 RRP, Ultegra rotors deliver consistently quiet, dependable braking, making them a tough benchmark to beat – although I’d say the HexVents matched their performance during testing.

There are however plenty of more expensive options available. The Hope Road CL rotors offer a similarly well-finished package for £65, combining low weight with UK-made quality.

SwissStop’s Catalyst Pro rotors also offer excellent braking consistency and heat management for £69.99, while the Catalyst Race we tested are now priced at £74.99.

The HexVents offer competitive weight, floating construction and a distinctive appearance. If those are features you value, they’re a compelling option, but riders simply looking for reliable braking can achieve very similar performance for less.

Overall

The Aztec HexVent Ultra Lightweight Floating Rotors perform well and look good on the bike. They save a few grams, remain quiet under braking and they deal with everything from road riding to gravel adventures without issue.

> How to fit disc rotors: get fresh brake surfaces in 8 easy steps