I'm tired of bleeding hydraulic brakes with a set of tools that seems to come from a child's playset. Last Spring, I was ready to drop the cash on what appears to be the best option, the Park Tool BKM-1, but then I couldn't find it in stock at any retailer or distributor.

So I waited 6 months, but still no availability. I then contacted Park Tool to find out what's up and they didn't have much to say. It's now been almost a year and it appears that there's STILL no stock anywhere. I had to get out my child's playset again today and swore at it many times.

There are a few kits out there that look slightly better than what I have, but only barely, and they are similar to stuff I've used in the 2 shops that I've worked in that were awkward to use and far from ideal; the other mechanics seemed happy with their bodged-together methods they'd figured out over time, but I always wanted something better.

The Park Tool kit seems to be the only option for doing a bleed job properly and not needing to swear too much. Why aren't there more proper tool kits like that available? Shimano make some decent tools, but I haven't seen anything by them that's designed for doing this job efficiently, cleanly and professionally - just look at the Shimano syringes compared to the Park Tool version.

So, a few questions:
1. Are there any other pro-quality options out there for bleeding Shimano brakes that I can actually buy within the next few months?
2. Does anyone know why Park Tool aren't able to get more stock of the BKM-1? (I don't believe Covid can explain everything).
3. Why do so many other professional mechanics tolerate not having proper tools for such jobs?

BTW, there is stock of the DOT version of the bleed kit, Park Tool BKD-1, but I don't need that because I refuse to touch non-Shimano brakes now that I'm now only doing work for friends in my spare time rather than working at a shop.

I got my BKM-1 last year mid year from Quality Bicycle Products. They are showing 3/20/21 as next availability. The Jagwire Elite Kit is similar and is probably what Park copied and has 4 in stock in CO at QBP.

I just noticed after typing this you are in Switzerland so that might change things a bit. I would check Unior as they are the Euro Park (almost literally same color and from what I hear similar quality as well)

Sadly there aren't more quality options and with COVID getting anything is tough.

Thanks for suggesting some options, veganbikes.

The Jagwire kit is actually in stock at some retailers, and seems to be the best alternative I've seen. Unfortunately it has a bent piece of metal for the syringe holder instead of the Park Tool integrated plastic strap, which is a key reason why the Park Tool looks to be ideal. However, that kit might have to do for now. I should have thought of that one because I now remember looking at it at Eurobike a couple of years ago.

Unior don't seem to make any form of bleed kit. They are unlike Park in that they are a more general tool brand that has a smaller bike division, so the range is nowhere near as extensive as Park's and if something's not made out of metal then Unior don't make it (BTW, they were using their blue handles for their other tool ranges before they started bike tools in the same colour).

I've seen the delivery time for the Park Tool kit often listed as 4 weeks or 6 weeks over the past 9+ months, but that is often just a place holder; however, late March availability would be ideal for me. Unfortunately, the local Park importer simply lists the item as "no stock". So maybe a wait a little longer then get the Jagwire if there is necessary.

Well according to the park tools website:

"Why is this kit not available in the UK?
Lee W. Jan 26, 2021Best Answer: We only offer direct sales from our website to customers in USA."

So if your dealers cannot get it, you might just have to look for an alternative or find someone in the USA who can send you one.

As to the question: "3. Why do so many other professional mechanics tolerate not having proper tools for such jobs?"

Take a deep breath, and remember that quality of work is primarily a function of the operator rather than their tools. As an R&D engineer, having no 'proper' special tools was normal because if the design was still in flux then how could you have a special tool? And so we often 'bodged' the special tools from other things because we could not afford to sit around waiting for something special to be made. Yesterday I picked up a hacksaw from a farm, and it had split pins holding the blade on and a big nut under the tensioner instead of the saw frame being reset to suit the blade length - both perfectly reasonable choices when the only tools available are those lying around in your tractor. I am actually going to keep the big nut as the tensioner rotates nicely in it - I just need to file a slot on the other side so it fits more snugly onto the saw frame. I just wish I had thought of it myself years ago...

Does anyone have any experience with the lesser priced bleed kits seen on Amazon? The price difference between the Park bleed kit and some of the bleed kits on Amazon is 3x. I know the old adage of 'you get what you pay for' but do you get 3x the value out of the Park kit?

Just curious as I'm in the market for a kit myself and debating between the two price points.

Thank you.

From my days as a teenager helping the mechanic at the gas station I worked at, I bleed my brakes the old fashioned way with a wrench, a tube and a coffee can. I don't use a kit. I drain and replace fluid once a year, fill from the bottom and bleed the top reservoir first, let it sit then bleed the caliper slowly, check and repeat if necessary.

My trick is to have a hand on the wrench, start squeezing the brake lever gently and slowly while cracking the wrench. When fluid comes out I tighten before the lever gets to full squeeze. Let off on the lever, check level of reservoir, fill if needed then repeat until no bubbles come out and only clear fluid. Same as I do on my car's brakes but my son helps with that. He pumps the brakes while I'm under the car.

My personal belief is to keep it as simple as possible. The concept of bleeding hydraulic brakes is pretty simple, it's the tool companies that want to sell their products that make it appear complicated.


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I was just going to start a thread on the "cheaper version" bleed kits, also. I have DOT, and my wife has two bikes with Mineral oil. Due to the price differences between Park, and some of the others, if they do the job, I think that is an instance where I might have to go to another color. Two of those kits, with the frequency I would be using them, is getting into serious change. Thank you.

I had always seen a lot of Unior bike stuff but looking at their website yeah I guess they do general stuff. I had always heard good things about their bike stuff.

Park Tool kits are that price for a reason. They are really of good quality and excellent for different mineral oil or dot brakes. Much nicer parts and fittings and much easier to use as a single person no need to get someone else to hold a syringe or anything. Plus it is much nicer in the hand.

The cheaper stuff does work ok (so long as it is at least of some decent quality) but as I always say buy the best tools you can so you don't have to buy them again. Enjoy your tools have fun doing repairs.

Amazon is a lot cheaper for many reasons but Jeff Bezos is the richest man in the world, his employees work in overly hot or cold warehouses, sometimes don't get bathroom breaks, don't have safe working conditions and don't get paid much. Park is not overpriced Amazon is bad to their workers and customers.

Thank you, Vegan. You are right. The good news is, I bit the bullet and went with the Park kits. The bad news is, I ordered them from Amazon. I did see a question reference also needing the bleed edge tool to bleed the "SRAM code rsc-4 piston". Will have to investigate that more, but I sure hope for the price, everything needed to bleed SRAM brakes is included. Thank you.

Thanks veganbikes I think you have convinced me to go for the Park took bleed kit. Buy nice or buy twice.

No worries. It is what I do. Having had mechanics who had nice tools they always told me the importance of getting good stuff and for some of them I in turn have showed them better tools than they have for some stuff. After using cheap hex wrenches for a while and then swapping to some really nice stuff I could feel the difference immediately. More positive engagement and nice feel in the hand.

I mean if we have to work on our bikes we must as well get enjoyment out of it from the tools we use. I don't really want to bleed a brake but hey if it is pleasant to do so then" let's do it baby, YEAH!"

I've finally resolved this issue. I'm very lucky that a friend is actually traveling from Switzerland to the States right now despite the crazy world we're living in, and I've found a shop in her region who said their supplier already has stock of the Park Tool BKM-1, so they are getting it and my friend will bring it back here in a couple of weeks (she may have to simply drop it in my mailbox on her way past as she drives home to self-quarantine).

All European suppliers are still listing the Shimano version of the kit as out of stock, or a minimum of 10 weeks before they expect any stock - so maybe my friend should get a few kits and we'll sell them at 50% markup