Are side pull brakes obsolete?
02-15-17 | 04:37 PM
#51
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02-15-17 | 05:36 PM
#53
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If you hang the bike upside down, air in the reservoir can migrate to the caliper and cause the brakes to be spongy.
Of course, recent hydraulics are sealed systems, and so there should be no air in the lines or reservoir. So if you have a properly bled system, it doesn't matter. If you have an improperly bled system, it matters a little. The only real consequence of hanging vertically is that you may benefit from bleeding more often.
tl;dr. Best practice is to not hang upside (use handle bar & saddle), but it doesn't really matter. Hanging vertically is actually the best way, since it encourages air in the longer rear line to migrate to the lever.
Of course, recent hydraulics are sealed systems, and so there should be no air in the lines or reservoir. So if you have a properly bled system, it doesn't matter. If you have an improperly bled system, it matters a little. The only real consequence of hanging vertically is that you may benefit from bleeding more often.
tl;dr. Best practice is to not hang upside (use handle bar & saddle), but it doesn't really matter. Hanging vertically is actually the best way, since it encourages air in the longer rear line to migrate to the lever.
02-15-17 | 06:11 PM
#54
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 25,385
Likes: 6,665
From: Central Illinois
Bikes: Trek Domane+x2, Trek Emonda
I'll take your word for it but the poster didn't specify old hydraulic brake systems. Could have been talking about cable actuated or something else.the latest whoop-de-doo brakes.
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