Rick

I was looking up non DOT brake fluid used in hydraulic disk brakes for bicycles and was interested in the boil point for several different brands. Here is what I found.

Magura 120 C (248 F)
Shimano 280 C (536 F)
Juice Lubes 290 C (554 F)
Trickstuff 420 C (788 F)

I am also interested in compatibility between brands. In an article I read. The writer stated that someone from Shimano stated that if you used Magura oil in their brakes it would destroy them. It was also stated that they didn't sanction the use of any other oil in their brakes! The writer also stated that Juice Lubes had tried their oil in all brands and found no problems. Juice Lubes also stated that of the many customers that use their oil there have been no complaints. Here is the article.

So after seeing that Trickstuff has Bionol brake fluid with a boil point of 420 C and they state that it is compatible with Shimano and Magura oil I am considering purchasing parts to make up Shigura brakes with Trickstuff Bionol brake fluid. Trickstuff stated that there brake fluid is not petroleum based. Their Bionol brake fluid is a vegtable oil and you could probably put it on your salad. So has anybody done something similar to this or what do you think? I mean with brakes not on your salad.

Andrew R Stewart 

No hydraulic expert but... Shimano is rather conservative with their product specs and maintenance. No doubt they have only really tested their brakes with their fluids as well as only want to suffer liability exposure with only their stuff. Andy

dsbrantjr

Since I find that brakes are kind of important, I am not a fan of using other than the manufacturer's recommended fluids, but please give it a try and let us know how it goes.

Rick

Shimano has a wright to specify their brake fluid. They know exactly how their brakes will work with their fluid. I am primarily interested in the boiling point of the fluid. I have looked at YouTube videos and articles about mixing parts and fluid between manufactures. Different fluids will have variances in viscosity. This can make the feel of the brake a Little different. Magura makes a very good caliper but there brake handles are easily damaged. This is why the Shigura combo has gained some popularity.

masonv45

Seth Bike Hacks put baby oil in his brakes. No long term test yet - but they worked just fine on first ride...

veganbikes

I too believe in using the correct fluid recommended by the manufacturer. I am sure you could get any mineral oil could work in any mineral oil compatible brake but would it work well and would you want to risk bad braking or other issues to do so?

Retro Grouch 

What's the most amount of money that you might save?
What's the potential penalty if you screw something up?

Rick

Bionol brake fluid is 39 euros a liter. Trickstuff states that their brake fluid is compatible with both Shimano and Magura bakes.

Iride01 

Shimano and Magura are both designed for mineral oil type fluid. Bionol appears to be s synthetic so to speak. (If there is a more proper way to say what a plant based oil imitating mineral oil is then please correct me.) And does say it's compatible with hydraulic brakes that use mineral oil.

So try it. Just don't mix up the other TrickStuff brake fluids that are not compatible with mineral oil based hydraulic brakes. Such as their Superformula High-End brake fluid.

Rick

Bionol is not a synthetic oil. I believe it is made from sunflower seeds. It is non toxic. It is safe to put on your salad. Trickstuff says it is compatible with Shimano and Magura. I believe them. It has a higher boiling point and is not petroleum based.

veganbikes

Exactly. You will save a buck or two maybe, maybe? I mean it isn't much.

That Bionol sounds good but honestly if I am going to run that stuff I want to run it with the Maxima brakes but seeing as though those are 1000 bucks and take a year+ to get, they aren't in the budget yet. Though if they are good enough for Gee Atherton, they are well overkill for me and if you are going to kill, overkill!

VicBC_Biker

How do all those oils perform at low temperatures?
Put vegetable oil in the refrigerator and it gets quite viscous...