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So my riding buddy purchased a nice new set of brakes but they were set up Euro way round. Now he already has a bleed kit but rather than trim the cables, fit new olives and do it properly he has just flipped the brakes over and is running them upside down? Wtf…To his absolute insistence this is fine, it’s cracking me up.
Aside from the fact it’s just plain stupid and lazy, the shifters will not sit close to the brakes, bleed port facing the ground etc….what other valid reason can I give to make him see the error of his ways.?
Because I’m close to breaking into his garage in the night and fixing it for him.
Surely people like this shouldn’t be allowed bikes.
Um isn't there a breather hole in the lever. Not sure I'd want this the wrong way up!
What could possibly go wrong? 😐
Whatever you do, don't ride in front of him. Do you have a Go-Pro? 🙂
Air in the master cylinder (lever) will naturally find its way into the hose, rather than naturally and harmlessly finding its way to the top of the master cylinder reservoir.
Strongly suggest you ride behind him....
Fine on a closed system but yeah... The reservoir is that way up for a reason.
It is only that way up to catch any air in the system...so if there is no air, then no issues...however, the rubber 'breather' thing that normally sits on top of the reservoir (underneath the top cap) does allow heat expansion...suspect that won't work if the top cap has now become the bottom cap!
Would some jokey good natured sabotage (in front of him) meaning he has to refaff his brakes go down okay?
Only very good friends wouldn't mind that kind of thing I'm thinking....
'Oops I've just pulled this hose out - now you've got to fiddle about you might as well swap them over too'
Be a shame for him to have problems...
As long as there is no air in the system it will work fine. Any fluid expansion won't care if the "top" cap rubber membrane is up or down
Looks bloody wrong though
Last time I had a set like this they swapped over fine without new olives and without a bleed. Just had to be very careful.
I did this on a rental bike in the US a few years ago. Shimano XT brakes. They worked fine for the duration of the days ride but the shifters were a bit of a reach as a result.
I think I would probably get it fixed on my own bike though.
Unless he's trimming the hoses, which swapping sides shouldn't be necessary, he shouldn't require any new olives or barbs. If he's careful he might not need to bleed either.
Cheers, Rich