epnnf

For the last month or so, the front brake lever on my Kona has been inching closer to the bar. @ rest, the lever is closer to the bar than it should be. Now, when engaged, it almost bottoms out. Is it a leak? I cant see a leak. It works, but lever is too close. Rear brake is fine. Brakes have never been serviced; 5K miles at most. There is no noise. pls advise

headasunder

probably just need burping look it up on the internet

Amt0571

They could need a bleed. Which brakes are you talking about?

My sram rivals tend to have less travel on the first few rides after a pad replacement, and then the travel returns to normal, which to be honest, is too close to the bars for my taste, but it can't be adjusted.

masonv45

Probably air in the line. Air compresses, liquid doesn't.

cpach

Most manufacturers suggest bleeding approximately every year. 5k sounds like a totally normal interval for bleeding. That's a couplea chains for most people, a few sets of pads, etc. If you're mechanically inclined, it's not amazingly hard.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...s.php?id=88214 would be right for your Kona's Tektro brakes. Weird it doesn't include a bleed block, but you can just put a 10mm hex wrench into the caliper.

Rick

What kind of hydraulic brakes do you have. Are they disk or rim.

andrewclaus

If the lever isn't returning to normal "open" position, there may be a mechanical or hydraulic blockage, maybe in the master cylinder. I agree, the first step would be normal service--replace fluid and bleed. Clean and check operation of the master cylinder without hydraulic pressure. Clean and check the wheel caliper pistons and seals as well. Disclosure: I've worked on way more auto brakes than bike brakes.

Crankycrank

Could just need topping up with fluid.

cxwrench

This makes it sound like you can just open up the brake and pour some fluid in. This is NOT the case. You don't 'top up' a hydraulic brake. You have to either burp the air out of the lever OR do a full bleed.

Iride01 

Have you checked both the disc and pads for wear? If you've worn them way beyond limits then maybe a problem just adding more hydraulic fluid will only make worse.

epnnf

Update: took it to my LBS; they said bleed it; will pick up bike tmrw

epnnf

New update: rode it & love it

epnnf

PS update: I think the caliper is leaking.
After four rides (bout 200mi), the front brake lever is feeling spongy. Im not gonna ride it again. I looked around the other calipers, and they are dusty. The front caliper is not dusty, but I cant call it damp either. OK, maybe a tiny bit damp. How to detect a leaky caliper? I cannot see a leak. I assume the only fix is replace (upgrade? ) the caliper, lever & hose? btw, when I clean the disc, (using alcohol pads) the outside is very dirty.

M Rose

the fix is to replace the o-rings and inspect the caliper pistons and cylinder walls for damage. If those check out, next would be the brake reservoir diaphragm, and lastly would be the fittings to either the break lever or break caliper. So personally I would take it back to the LBS and tell them it still leaks.