First time in over 30 years I succumbed. . .
 

Since my early adulthood, I have been fixing my own bikes. I own almost every tool save for a few very specialist tools. Yesterday I had to admit to myself that this repair was over my head.

What was so difficult that I couldn't do it myself? Installing and bleeding new brake levers on my Di2 hydraulic system. After three days of failed attempts, I finally had to admit defeat. After watching countless videos, reading the manuals from Shimano and just plain hands on work, I failed. To add insult to injury for the first time in my life (honestly) I didn't put money in the parking meter when taking the bike into the shop I got a $30 parking ticket.

There is a bright side to this tale of woe. The turnaround time is less than 24 hours! In Toronto bike shops have been swamped with repairs so I was surprised when they said it could be fixed in a day. On one hand I feel deflated that I just couldn't figure it out and the other hand delighted I will be able to ride my bike before the snow falls. New Di2 and carbon wheels await me. Happy cycling everyone.

Bleeding brakes is a serious maintenance issue .... and the kit and tools are so expensive, it is almost better to get it done at a shop instead of buying a kit you won't use twice in the rest of your life.

Add is that yo would be potentially spilling mineral oil into your electronics ....

I have limited dexterity and eyesight ... and I have found some mechanical talks simply not worth the effort. (I still cannot build a wheel.) I am surprised you persevered for three days ... I'd say you have earned the right to get the job done for you.

Sorry about the parking ticket. Having the shop set it up right is nothing to be ashamed of.

However, in general, bleeding Shimano brakes isn't so bad. I can do it, and I don't have your mechanical aptitude.

The kit is inexpensive, but you are better off with a third-party variant (or DIY) that has Leur lock threaded fittings at each end. Use two syringes, and use the upper one with negative pressure to purge the system of air bubbles. Works much better than their silly funnel.

From the thread title, I wondered if you'd be having an awkward time at your next AA meeting.

Glad it was only a trip to the LBS.

got a link to a kit you are describing? Ive used a park tool kit with funnel before.

I made my own with two syrninges and Leur lock adaptors, but I think this is pretty close:


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cf0409c6b3.jpg

The main difference is I use bigger syringes with rubberized plungers. I don't know if it makes any difference, but it gives you more room to pull air bubbles out. I also put a little bit of high vacuum grease in the Leur lock threads.

Man, I hope bleeding bike brakes isn't always this hard. I hope to own another pair someday. Maybe something specific to your model?

I've never once had an issue bleeding car brakes. Don't need a helper anymore either. I find most on line tutorials massively over complicate the process. I do have a mityvac I can use if needed

For me, not that I need it, but, just another reason not to go that route.

For me, its just not fun to bleed brakes. I dig tools, and there is nothing tool-y about hoses, syringes, and funnels.

Its like being a plumber, with plastic tools.

Great news on the quick turnaround! I understand fully the feeling of not being able to fix something myself and having to give in to a pro. I am in the opposite situation right now. I am fixing a bike that two bike shops said could not be fixed. I punched a rather sizeable hole in the tube of a practically brand new Aluminium Specialized Allez. I am waiting to get to 10 posts so I can start a thread where I can post pictures and get the opinion of others regarding the integrity of the fix. It is a copy cat fix from a video I found on YouTube of a retired Navy Engineer repairing aluminium with carbon. In the current bike shortage I was not able to find a replacement for the bike nor did I want to considering this bike is for the trainer this winter and again, is basically brand new hardly having been ridden. The cost for the materials for the fix was less than $50. Congrats again on the quick turn around

I imagine a bike shop would refuse to repair a frame that they may be found liable for if it failed in the future. Some jobs are just not worth the liability that may be incurred for taking on a risky job.

Yes, that is very understandable. I'll bring the bike back to my LBS to show them the repair and get their opinion. I'm not sure the nature of the repair was something that either shop was aware of as I could find almost no info online aside from two videos on YouTube about it. Also I seem to remember each shop not saying they "wouldn't" fix it, but rather that the only way was to find someone to weld the aluminum but that it would then need to have some kind of heat treatment which would apparently cost more than the bike was worth. Regardless, I pretty much just finished the repair this morning up to the point that it's basically ready for paint. It was a bit time consuming with all the layers, drying times, sanding, etc. I'll start to get some pics up shortly.

I wouldn't want to take in a broken bike to attempt to repair it unless I was a professional frame builder and had a competent lawyer write up a contract and even then I probably wouldn't be working in aluminum. Even if I did work in Aluminum I probably would still avoid repairs like that given the nature of the material unless it was my own frame that I welded.

I have the same mindset, taking a bike to a shop is like admitting defeat.
That being said, bleeding brakes is one job I wish I took to the shop. I made a huge mess, spent way too much time, and ended up super frustrated. I had to take a break and come back the next day to finish the job.

Never did that job myself, but why is it so difficult? I've bled a lot of cars brakes and never had problems, even with long brake lines.

Is it a 2 person job like it is on cars?

I only run hydraulic discs on my mountain bike, my drop bar mountain bike has bb7's and my Gunnar has Paul candies. They all stop my heft, Just saw something that all bikes will be disc soon. I will just keep my bikes.