i just bought a set of Shimano LX hydro brakes, and i have a few questions. this is my first set of hydros. i know they only use that expensive shimano mineral oil...
do both brake pads dial in against the rotor, or a single pad?
how often do i need to bleed the lines, or replace the fluid?
does the fluid get thicker in cold weather? (winter here gets around 20degrees)
is there any chance at all for the brakes to fail? (except if there is a leak in the lines, is there any other risk?)
is there anything else important that i should know about these brakes? all answers will be greatly appreciated.
2006-11-28 10:01:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
i painted my frame with enamel and it has Dupli-color clear coat on top, will it get damaged from the oil?
2006-11-28 14:18:48 · update #1
only one single pad pushes against the rotor and the rotor gets pushed on to the pad behind it. the fluid will get contaminated by water and dirt over time and if u leave ur bike outside in the winter the lines might crack and the fluid will leak other risks are that depends on wat gets on to the rotor the breaks won't work as well as they are new after a while so tune up the breaks every few months and every new seasion. i had a problem with my frond disc due to the weather(the pads became too close to the rotor so they are rubbing against the rotor evey time i ride.)
and how cold in celcius is 20?
2006-11-28 11:09:40 · answer #1 · answered by Jason Z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A couple other things you should know are
1) don't squeeze the brake lever without something between the brake pads. You usually have to pry them apart and there is a possibility that air will get sucked into the line so it needs to be bled again.
2)don't touch the pads or get oil on them, it will contaminate them. They will also need to break in some before the brake really works well.
One advantage that the mineral oil has is that if it gets on your frame, it won't damage the paint. The oil also won't damage the internals of the brake lever. I have seen a couple of the Hayes hydros need the levers replaced or repaired because of corrosion to the internals of the levers.
A link to the tech section for LX hydraulic brakes, there is a PDF file.
http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/global/techdocs/list.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302035550&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181674&bmUID=1164766904837
2006-11-28 13:25:46 · answer #2 · answered by icrashalot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...if only one pad pushed on the rotor into the other pad youd have a bent rotor not to mention the force it would take to bend a rotor. the pads act almost like automobile brakes. they squeeze together. your brakes should only fail if something breaks or the fluid leaks. when it gets really hot the fluid wants to expand and squeeze the pads together but its not bad and goes away when u start riding. i only change my fluid about once a year.
2006-11-29 00:15:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oil get contaminated by water. at 40% the oil can heat to boiling point brakes feel fine then after heating nothing change the brake oil at least 1 every two years
2006-11-28 10:05:37 · answer #4 · answered by froggerty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ride in cold weather and didn't notice any change in the feel of the hydrolics last year.
One thing to keep in mind about a potential failure. You would, unless calamity strikes, have at least one brake set to ride out on.
In summary I think hydrolic brakes are great. I ride in ice and mud for a good portion of the year and to have braking available in these conditions is a great change from prior years of Vee and cantilever brakes.
2006-11-29 03:01:46 · answer #5 · answered by b4_999 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never ask a girl. However, I may be able to tell you about your big end !!
2006-11-28 10:05:01 · answer #6 · answered by Emma B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋