In searching around for a brake hose solution for a tandem I found this Dry Hydraulic Coupling Fitting that may be useful for teams that travel with tandems and use couplers to dismantle the frames to fly.

I imagine using it on the rear brake hose. Takes 5mm hose.



It will be interesting to read your views on using couplers.

Only issue I see with is it is the ridiculous price at 250 GBP. Which is more than one side of R785 brake levers and Di2 shifters.

I found it at: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/1...hose-supplied/

When reviewing build options for our current S&S frame with Craig Calfee, we discussed looking for hidden hydraulic hose routing options and if there were any quick connects that might work with Shimano brakes.

The only quick connect that I recall, is from Formula. Looks similar to the "unbranded" one you found. What makes it a non-starter is "To be used with DOT brake fluid.". Shimano systems are mineral oil, so this connector is not compatible.

While Shimano does make a quick connect, it remains only available on some new bike builds and not as an after market item. My LBS is quite good at obtaining parts if they are available, but even they could not obtain those Shimano parts separately. The setup includes some short pigtails which route from the shifters and quick connects at around the bar/stem location. AFAIK it would have been possible to add extensions to that, and place the connect somewhere mid-tandem... but alas, could not obtain the parts from Shimano.

What most everyone ends up doing with coupled tandems and hydraulic brakes, is to unbolt the rear caliper and coil up the hose/caliper with the handlebars and shifters still attached. I do the same with the front caliper, which allows for easier packing of the handlebars, hoses, calipers unattached from the fork and frame.

Hey 2cicle,
Any idea if the Formula Speed Lock will be compatible with the new SRAM Etap HRD?
I am waiting patiently to move to hydraulics on my travel tandem, but only if I can find a viable quick disconnect.

We have been using hydraulic brakes on our travel tandem for 3 years and like twoicle I just remove the calipers from the frame and coil up with the handlebars. I actually find this easier to pack then when we had mechanical that had to have bars attached to frame. Since hydraulics are so easy to center on the mounts it takes no time to remount. Our Calfee has some unique cable guides that make running the hydraulic hose easy. I am also using Goodridge hose that coils easily and doesn't tend to kink. Regular mountain bike style cable guides would work just fine also.

Hi AK,

You're the one who got me started on the frame mod business with the internal DI2. My DI2 cables are now completely hidden through my handle bar, headset, and frame. The next logical step would be the elimination of the exposed brake cables/hose. The best way I can see to achieve that would be wireless Etap with hydraulic brakes. And that can only be accomplished with quick disconnects at the couplers.

Does the Goodridge hose have any problem with very tight 90 degree bends?

CJ

SRAM = DOT fluid, so should be compatible.

Note that SRAM does already have the notion of speed locks in their shifters... at least for OEM builders to speed up assembly (same as what I mentioned Shimano had done). Not sure if any of these quick connects are available aftermarket. Here is one write up on the HRD... First Ride: SRAM Red eTap HRD | Bicycling

I have fitted SRAM Red Hydro to my tandem which is why I was looking for a coupler.

The SRAM road banjo is unique to the SRAM hydro range, Red, Force and Rival. They only sell attached to a 2000mm hose.

I tried to separate the banjo from the hose and use an aftermarket clamp to seal the hose on the banjo. The problem is that the SRAM version is pretty petite and so I had to machine it down to size to fit into the lever assembly. Like an idiot I did this with Jagwire which I hoped would be satisfactory but it was not, the rear was way too spongy.

I then bought another 2000mm hose and I had an engineering shop machine a double barrel joiner for me that replicates the actual thread into the calliper. Using 2 sets of olives, inserts and nuts I joined two SRAM hoses around the rear BB. I then fitted the brakes, bled them and hoped for the best.

The rear is not as sharp as my single bike rear but is way better than the Avids with 2500mm of cable.

So I now have SRAM Red22 Doubletap with Hydro on my tandem. eTap Hydro not available yet.

The newer SRAM Hydro uses a connectamajig in the lever assembly to thread the hose internally. The length of the replacement hose is still only 2000mm and there is no way to join the open end of the connectamajig hose to another hose without going the route I did. The actual part is not available separately in Hydro brake form but is on the Reverb dropper post although there is also no way to join that to a hose.

Please post a pic of the cable guides because I might go that route.

are the goodridge hoses and fit kits still easy to find [MENTION=106156]akexpress[/MENTION]? I searched for them on Chain Reaction but they don't seem to have them any more.

The "connectamajig", Formula, etc, are suppose to keep the system closed so no bleeding needed when connecting/disconnecting. IRL, I suspect it is highly likely some minute bit of air would be present at the coupler upon rejoin... and that of course would require extraction to keep the brake performance adequate.

Mark (akexpress) has the same permanent carbon hose "clips" as shown here https://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448483

Some things I'm not a fan about are 1) the sharp edges, which I filed down a bit but still a danger to skin and hose, and 2) the clips have a fairly loose grip on standard Shimano hose to allow install/removal, but that also lets the hose rattle and slide forward and back. Goodrich hose is larger diameter and has a tough braided shielding. I think this might be the best for a travel/coupled tandem, but sourcing the Goodrich stuff is difficult (I have not acquired it yet).

That is one way to go, or simply use some Jagwire 3m stick-on hose guides, as many as you like. The clips on these are re-installable.

eTap HRD Wi-Fli is available from Bike24 at a really good price but there is no shipping to either the US or Australia with Sram products anymore. I've installed the formula speedlock valve and it seems to work fine with no noticeable ingress of air into the line.
We've just come back from touring in Tasmania for the last week finishing up at Evandale for the One of the cyclists on tour was using TRP Hylex brakes which sprung a leak at the lever for the rear brake. We looked at it and said"it's leaked. Hope the downhills aren't too steep" but there was nothing we could do to fix it. It's made me a bit nervous about changing to the hydraulic eTap. I'll most propably stick with the mechanical version and keep using the TRP Sprye brakes which are working well enough.
Any thoughts?