CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Hydraulic disc brake suggestions

(10 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by Greenroofer
  • Latest reply from I were right about that saddle
  • This topic is resolved

  1. Greenroofer
    Member

    So I have Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes on my commuter bike. I like hydraulic brakes, but I'm becoming less enthusiastic about the Shimano ones as time passes. My back brake currently has a sticky piston, but a morning of careful cleaning, oiling and actuating hasn't got it working smoothly. The problem with the Deore brakes is that you can't take them apart: if they stop working you have to buy new ones [I'm led to believe]. If I could take them apart, I could clean the piston properly and put a new O-ring on it and it would all be fine again.

    Can you suggest an alternative to Shimano Deore? I'm looking for a hydraulic disc brake calliper* that I can disassemble completely, repair and maintain.

    (*so not wanting Magura rim brakes. Might consider roller brakes, but don't have any fittings for them on the bike and have an Alfine-8 hub so don't want to have to buy a new one with a roller brake...)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. gembo
    Member

    Stick to shimano hydraulic but upgrade from deore? Mountain bike chap I roll with on the weekend has shimano he swears by, changed one pad in six years.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. steveo
    Member

    You're looking at fairly big money before you can get "user serviceable" callipers. I don't think any of the shimano ones can be repaired much like most shimano stuff its cheap but disposable. You're pretty much looking at Hope if you wan't near life time supply of parts and the ability to use them.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. Arellcat
    Moderator

    My first thought was also 'Hope'. While there's no doubting Hope's capability with CNC machining, I think Hope's products have also become a little bit tacky, majoring in the multi-coloured-shiny market and less in the smooth-and-functional market.

    That said, I've just ordered a pair of Shimano Deore XT 'trekking' disc brakes for my little purple recumbent. I wanted Hope brakes, but I need long brake levers that I can heat and bend to suit my handlebars, and Hope refused to help me. And, truth be told, Hopes are incredibly expensive unless you buy second-hand (which isn't that bad an idea, given that you can rebuild them!). But Shimano it is; I've always been impressed with the Shimano discs installed on a variety of Laid Back's bikes.

    Shimano says:

    "
    Adjustment when the pistons are not operating correctly

    The caliper mechanism includes two pistons. If these pistons do not operate properly or if they protrude unevenly, or if the brake pads remain in contact with the rotor, adjust the pistons by the following procedure.

    1. Remove the wheel and the brake pads. Clean the pistons and surrounding area.
    2. Use a flat-shaped tool to push the pistons straight back in as far as they will go, while being careful not to twist the pistons. Do not push the pistons with a sharp tool. The pistons may become damaged.
    3. Install the brake pads and the pad spacers (red).
    4. Depress the brake lever as far as it will go, and then operate it several more times so that the two pistons all move to their initial positions.
    5. Remove the pad spacer, install the wheel, and then check that there is no interference between the rotor and the brake pads. If they are touching, loosen the installation bolts and adjust so that they are no longer touching.
    "

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. steveo
    Member

    I'm very happy with my SLX ones, I did trash my Deore ones in short order, pistons started leaking trashing the pads etc.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. Darkerside
    Member

    Another happy user of SLX brakes here, which have the added bonus of not using corrosive fluids...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. Greenroofer
    Member

    @Arellcat luckily that's kind of what I did (my CEC bike maintenance course wasn't completely wasted) but one piston is still a bit laggy and the purist engineer in me just wants to get it working perfectly.

    Looks like I'll be getting SLX callipers at the next opportunity. Thanks for the advice all.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I have the only bike in the world with both SLX and Magura brakes.

    Just sayin'.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. Darkerside
    Member

    I'm hoping that's one of each acting on each wheel through some spectacular double-hose levers?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Darkerside

    Where were you during the design phase?

    Posted 8 years ago #

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