Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

First time in over 30 years I succumbed. . .

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

First time in over 30 years I succumbed. . .

Old 11-17-20, 08:33 AM
  #1  
blakcloud
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
blakcloud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times in 225 Posts
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.
blakcloud is offline  
Likes For blakcloud:
Old 11-17-20, 09:50 AM
  #2  
Maelochs
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,453

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7628 Post(s)
Liked 3,453 Times in 1,823 Posts
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.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 11-17-20, 09:57 AM
  #3  
Cyclist0108
Occam's Rotor
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times in 1,164 Posts
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.
Cyclist0108 is offline  
Likes For Cyclist0108:
Old 11-17-20, 10:12 AM
  #4  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,767
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
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.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 11-17-20, 10:38 AM
  #5  
mstateglfr 
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,538

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10902 Post(s)
Liked 7,393 Times in 4,148 Posts
Originally Posted by wgscott
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.
got a link to a kit you are describing? Ive used a park tool kit with funnel before.
mstateglfr is offline  
Old 11-17-20, 10:45 AM
  #6  
Cyclist0108
Occam's Rotor
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times in 1,164 Posts
Originally Posted by mstateglfr
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:


Cyclist0108 is offline  
Old 11-17-20, 10:54 AM
  #7  
Cyclist0108
Occam's Rotor
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times in 1,164 Posts
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.
Cyclist0108 is offline  
Old 11-17-20, 11:31 AM
  #8  
Pop N Wood
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,379

Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 667 Post(s)
Liked 529 Times in 355 Posts
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
Pop N Wood is offline  
Old 11-17-20, 01:13 PM
  #9  
delbiker1 
Mother Nature's Son
 
delbiker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,111

Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,414 Times in 801 Posts
For me, not that I need it, but, just another reason not to go that route.
delbiker1 is offline  
Likes For delbiker1:
Old 11-17-20, 01:42 PM
  #10  
DorkDisk
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,212

Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 991 Times in 484 Posts
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.
DorkDisk is offline  
Old 11-17-20, 04:40 PM
  #11  
Yellowlab
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 47

Bikes: 2016 Trek Emonda SLR8, 2017 Cannondale Slate 105, 2018 Trek Domane SLR 6, 2019 Specialized Allez Elite, 2019 Diamondback Release 3 29

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by blakcloud
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.
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
Yellowlab is offline  
Old 11-18-20, 07:14 AM
  #12  
ARider2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 585
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times in 105 Posts
Originally Posted by Yellowlab
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.
ARider2 is offline  
Old 11-19-20, 07:27 AM
  #13  
Yellowlab
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 47

Bikes: 2016 Trek Emonda SLR8, 2017 Cannondale Slate 105, 2018 Trek Domane SLR 6, 2019 Specialized Allez Elite, 2019 Diamondback Release 3 29

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by ARider2
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.
Yellowlab is offline  
Old 11-19-20, 12:15 PM
  #14  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,280

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4253 Post(s)
Liked 3,866 Times in 2,579 Posts
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.
veganbikes is offline  
Old 11-26-20, 12:58 PM
  #15  
kfro12
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
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.
kfro12 is offline  
Old 11-26-20, 09:50 PM
  #16  
Reynolds 
Passista
 
Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,586

Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaņa pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 392 Posts
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.
Reynolds is offline  
Old 11-27-20, 08:03 PM
  #17  
Astrozombie
Senior Member
 
Astrozombie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: East L.A.
Posts: 903

Bikes: Diamondback Insight, Motobecane Mirage

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Is it a 2 person job like it is on cars?
Astrozombie is offline  
Old 11-27-20, 08:33 PM
  #18  
wvridgerider
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wild Wonderful West Virginia
Posts: 545

Bikes: Gunnar Crosshairs, Surly Karate Monkey, Specialized Fuze, Bianchi Volpe, too many others and a lot of broken frame

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 70 Times in 21 Posts
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.
wvridgerider is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.