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I’m installing new Sram brakes so will have to cut and shorten the hose. Is it worth going to the expense and hassle of a bleed kit, or is it better to get them done at LBS? How often do you need to bleed your brakes?
Which sram brakes - I.e with or without the bleeding edge port on the callipers?
I don’t find bleeding either option too bad as long as you follow a YouTube video on it - can’t remember if the one I’ve used is official sram or the pink bike one.
Bleeding edge is slightly cleaner at the caliper end but other than that not too much difference l.
You might need to pick up a new olive and barb too if doing it yourself, I dont think the SRAM ones are meant to be reusable
They’re Level TL, so as far as I know don’t have bleeding edge. Everything I need to cut the hose is in the box apparently. But they will need to be bled, as I’ve never done it before I’m wondering is it worth the expense and hassle or if it’s something that doesn’t need to be done that often perhaps I just take it to the shop and get it done
If everything is in the box, pick up the bleed kit and give it a go, its not that tough. Pick up some DOT5.1 and give it a few go's. If you need more DOT5.1 oil go to a car parts place and you'll find 500ml bottles for less than a 200ml from a bike shop... then if it really does go wrong, take it to the shop and get them to bleed it but ask where you went wrong so you can do it yourself in the future.
Epic bleed kit probably the cheapest option - with no bleeding edge it’s just a screw on syringe at both ends.
I’d invest in one of you are confident doing most jobs on a bike - otherwise it’s going to cost you every time you need to bleed them. I’d imagine I’ve done my guides once a year or so.
Follow the SRAM tech video on YouTube to the letter and it's easy as, don't and your brakes will he shit.
Cheers for the advice, I’ll do it myself. Is the epic bleed kit any good? This was supposed to be a cheap (ish) bike and I haven’t stopped spending money!
I haven’t stopped spending money!
I picked up MTB-ing few years back and its been constant, wish someone had warned me. If they did I'd have stuck to BMX which over the last 6 years has cost me no more than one inner tube and one brake cable!
Epic bleed kit does the job - although it’s not as good quality as the official Sram Pro bleed kit.
I used the epic one for a few years until I got the later s4 caliper guides with bleeding edge. I then switched to the Pro kit and it is a bit better.
If on a budget the epic one is fine though.
As long as you’re careful and don’t cock it up, you won’t need to bleed them.
I’ve shortened plenty no issues, last ones I fitted were level tl’s just make sure you use the new style barb in the box. I put one of the barbs down couldn’t find it and thinking it was no different used an old style barb. It wept slightly, by the time I’d cut again and found a new one I’d lost enough fluid to need a bleed. The other was absolutely fine.
What don need to do to prevent a bleed?
It helps to have an olive and barb and all the tools ready and within reach, the aim is to not have to move from the spot. Cut hose and install new olive and barb, try to keep everything steady, accidently flicking the hose or knocking the lever can flick out some fluid, protect everything just incase of a drip, dot fluid isn't nice stuff. I've had a epic kit for a few years without any issues and buy my dot 5.1 from leisurelakes in 250ml yellow bottle for a few quid, big bottles won't keep, it'll absorb water before you've used even half of it.
Thanks mate, hopefully the new bars will arrive today and I can do this.