Shimano brake bleed intervals?

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11-27-19 | 02:34 PM

#26

Cyclist0108

Occam's Rotor

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 7,248

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MoAlpha

Well, I dropped out of grad school, so we’re both handicapped.

I dropped out of med school to go to grad school.

11-27-19 | 02:51 PM

#27

MoAlpha

dot dash

Joined: Jun 2015

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From: Land of Pleasant Living

Bikes: Shmikes

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgscott

I dropped out of med school to go to grad school.

Hope it worked out. I ended up a pure academic, anyway.

11-27-19 | 06:06 PM

#28

big john

Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 29,531

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From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfrider

Yes, bicycles are designed to be simple to service for anyone with minimal DIY skills.

Cars and MCs on the other hand use paint-peeling DOT fluids, have ABS reservoirs and valves/pistons, multiple brake calipers, midpoint bleed nipples (because of routing), etc. They're significantly harder to work on and getting all their out on a fresh fill can be challenging. In addition, because of the fluids and materials, they tend to collect debris in the piston areas that should be removed (via the bleed valve). 20 years is WAY too long to not service car brakes.

Not many people own a car for 20 years. I have had a couple cars for 18 and 19 years, respectively. Never flushed brake fluid except when rebuilding wheel cylinders, which I recommend when replacing drum brake shoes in most cases. I retired from my job as a car mechanic in April after working for 50 years.

11-28-19 | 12:14 AM

#29

Seattle Forrest

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: Seattle, WA

You'll know when you actually need to bleed your brakes because the levers will turn into on/off switches. (Meaning you lose almost all modulation.) If that's not happening follow the advice on page one.

11-28-19 | 09:40 AM

#30

eduskator

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2019

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From: Québec, Canada

Bikes: Tarmac SL8, Pink Lady Crux, TCR Beater

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoAlpha

Naive question: Is there any reason to futz around with a Shimano system if the feel is still nice and solid?

This ^^

I don't believe Shimano suggests scheduled maintenance for their hydraulic brakes. Unless you break something and the fluid gets contaminated by debris or other particles, I would not change it.

If you need to bleed your system after such short usage, you have a bigger problem IMO.