Swapping over Shimano brake calipers...

robthehungrymonkey

Hey there,

So, recently I upgraded my girlfriends hardtail brakes. More recently (last week), I upgraded my girlfriends bike to a full susser!
The brakes i bought for her hardtail are a higher spec (shimano SLX, over standard Deore) than the new bike, so not wanting to downgrade any spec, I thought i'd swap the brakes over. Front's no problem, straight swap. Rears, hose lengths are different, so I'll just swap the hose over... Not a problem at the lever end (i've shortened hoses before), and not a problem on the Deore calipers, but the SLX ones have a different connector (as shown in image below), how do I detach the brake hose from the caliper?

JBA

You're better off just buying a new hose for the rear SLX brake.
As you say the connectors at the calliper end are different and you can't swap them.

Buy a 1700mm hose and shorten it at the lever end.

robthehungrymonkey

JBA wrote:

You're better off just buying a new hose for the rear SLX brake.
As you say the connectors at the calliper end are different and you can't swap them.

Buy a 1700mm hose and shorten it at the lever end.

If I buy a new hose i'll have the same problem at the caliper won't i?

oxoman wrote:

Looks like a crimped end with a banjo type fitting its secured by the caphead screw. The Allen key head thing you an see.

Still a bit confused to be honest, does the banjo type fitting stay attached to the cable? If so, then I need a new cable with the attachment on it already?

Horton

The Shimano hoses are more often than not sold with the specific calliper fitting at one end and a barb & olive in the box so you can shorten the hose hen fit into the lever end. Just make sure you get he right hose for your calliper.

There are a quite a few aftermarket kits from Goodrich, Jagwire etc that come with a variety of calliper fittings and lever fittings too.

Before you get into fitting a new hose, is the SLX definitely too short for the bike or is it just shorter than the Deore hose currently fitted - depending on how short it is you might get away with just leaving as is (although if too short you run the risk of pulling a hose out in a crash etc.)

robthehungrymonkey

Horton wrote:

The Shimano hoses are more often than not sold with the specific calliper fitting at one end and a barb & olive in the box so you can shorten the hose hen fit into the lever end. Just make sure you get he right hose for your calliper.

That's annoying, a new hose is £20. Considering that i've already got a hose long enough it's a pain.

Horton wrote:

Before you get into fitting a new hose, is the SLX definitely too short for the bike or is it just shorter than the Deore hose currently fitted - depending on how short it is you might get away with just leaving as is (although if too short you run the risk of pulling a hose out in a crash etc.)

Yeah, definitely too short.

Thanks for the help.

dgunthor

just trim the hose on the slx caliper, new olive and insert into the hose and into the brake lever

Horton

dgunthor wrote:

just trim the hose on the slx caliper, new olive and insert into the hose and into the brake lever

Not sure trimming a hose that is already too short will help...

The Rookie

You'll need a new Banjo ended hose, you can fit the Deore Calliper and hose to the SLX lever in the meantime to get it running.

dgunthor

Horton wrote:

dgunthor wrote:

just trim the hose on the slx caliper, new olive and insert into the hose and into the brake lever

Not sure trimming a hose that is already too short will help...

Ha! my bad

The deore brakes are great as-is by the way

You can buy a banjo assembly here for £5.99
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/252201304323

robthehungrymonkey

dgunthor wrote:

Horton wrote:

dgunthor wrote:

just trim the hose on the slx caliper, new olive and insert into the hose and into the brake lever

Not sure trimming a hose that is already too short will help...

Ha! my bad

The deore brakes are great as-is by the way

You can buy a banjo assembly here for £5.99
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/252201304323

I've actually found those banjo bits this morning, i've messaged to check they fit but no response yet. Shall I just buy them?

It was ridden at the weekend with SLX lever and Deore caliper, which is fine really (and I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference), but i'm still reluctant to not use the better bits that i already have!

dgunthor

robthehungrymonkey wrote:

dgunthor wrote:

Horton wrote:

dgunthor wrote:

just trim the hose on the slx caliper, new olive and insert into the hose and into the brake lever

Not sure trimming a hose that is already too short will help...

Ha! my bad

The deore brakes are great as-is by the way

You can buy a banjo assembly here for £5.99
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/252201304323

I've actually found those banjo bits this morning, i've messaged to check they fit but no response yet. Shall I just buy them?

It was ridden at the weekend with SLX lever and Deore caliper, which is fine really (and I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference), but i'm still reluctant to not use the better bits that i already have!

should be fine