Chain guard sheared off of chain ring + a few other things
- Thread starter GuruUno
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Brendon@OEB
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Not saying they need replacing, but when things come time for major service one can think of and upgrade is all my point was. Regarding your comment on pad alignment the US Vado uses two piston brakes so that's less of an issue, whereas the 4 piston Tektro system your bike has that's a different story.
The SLX brakes I have are 4 piston and much more powerful. I replaced mine as 1, I wanted to, and 2 a friend needed the XT brakes so I decided to go for it.
Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
Right, which you can't see if you don't go through the bleeding process.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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Just make me sure: Are SLX brakes better than Deore XT?
Brendon@OEB
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Good question, technically XT is "better" but SLX is pretty common in more extreme applications, AKA more aggressive MTB application. It's more cost friendly and offers super good performance.
McCorby
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- USA
Fair enough! I guess my point is that bleeding the brakes once a year seems to me to be excessive. I have a friend with 2 mtb’s with Shimano brakes. I helped him flush the brakes on both bikes last spring. After 3 years of hard use, the old fluid in both bikes looked like new. The brakes also didn’t seem to perform any differently after flushing. Yes, I get that this is only a sample of two and ymmv, but.....
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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You simply bleed your brakes when the brake levers suddenly "cave in" (if that's the correct word).
Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
Totally understand and the best part of a mineral oil based system is they're much less maintenance intensive. That said, these bikes are an investment so encouraging proper maintenance (like you and your buddy did) is best practice. Did the fluid look like new? Sure, but the small bits inside the system sure thanked you for flushing them out!
Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
Hahahaha, you of all people should buy into a bit more maintenance, see post above!!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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- Mazovia, PL
My brother has done bleeding of my Vado brakes only because he loves playing with bikes
True fact: It was the right time to do that Brendon@OEB
Well-Known Member
Yep, a good thing to do in regular intervals! In your specific instance I know the brake light application makes it harder to consider upgrades.My brother has done bleeding of my Vado brakes only because he loves playing with bikes
GuruUno
Well-Known Member
Went to LBS today, asked, was told he did not have any but they were 'standard single chainring bolts'.Good luck. How about asking your Specialized LBS?
The Specialized chainring bolts are magnetic so I doubt that they are aluminium.
M8 and 9mm/0,348 inch long, Allen 5.
Anyone got a source to have a spare set?
HaHa.If they were standard: why doesn't he stock them?
They are typically Specialized. Why can't the LBS order them from Specialized if he didn't want to stock them?
I had the same problem when I asked my LBS for a Vado seatpostclamp screw (which was broken because I had torqued it too much). The LBS didn't have it in stock, wasn't able to present an open source alternative or order one from Specialized. And the head of that screw was "special"!
So I ended up searching for some time in the market, buying a similar screw with a slightly bigger head which I then grinded to get it matching.
I grinded a 2nd Vado seatpostclamp screw to stock a spare part which you would think Specialized to be obliged to.
Bottom line: try to use as many open source parts as you can. F.e. the Deckas chainring is a quality product which I rate higher than the OEM chainring which is amply overpriced (2-3x as much), in addition. And I have used both types of a chainring for a significant time, other than people commenting on the Deckas without having had hands on it ever.
If Specialized and the LBS do not provide simple spare parts for their "special" solutions now, what to expect next year(s)?
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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- Mazovia, PL
You're so right TS25... That's why I call them "Ye Ole Goode Specialized". You must remember well my quest for a specialized 12x100x1 mm thru-axle (not manufactured anymore). Lucky me you and others helped me find an open source for the part...
So true.
And that open source Robert axle even was an improvement over that OEM "Specialized" part without costing more.
No.
No need to go through an unnecessary bleeding process for just determining: it wasn't necessary.
Just take a simple syringe as pictured, open the screw of the brake fluid reservoir and suck up a bit of the brake fluid. So you can compare the colour with the colour of new original Shimano mineral oil. Put it back in if it's OK. Simple check process, do it once a year.
Change it if it's colour has changed i.e. darkened, or maybe after four years just to be sure. But years isn't the right yardstick as the mineral oil isn't hygroscopic (other than typical motorbike/car brake fluid). So ridden distance and riding circumstances could be a better guideline if you are intending to change earlier as a precaution. Or if you believe there are "bits and pieces" in your closed brake fluid system, with only one possible entrance spot if your system gets older: the brake piston.
Until then it's enough to follow Shimanos recommendation.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
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These are NOT for the Praxis chainring. You can use them on Deckas rings.
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