Specialized Turbo Vado SL: An Incredible E-Bike (User Club)

[Watana Bob]

Q3. I tend to keep a pretty firm grip on one or both brakes at stops. Just a habit. Am I contributing to the problem?

Jeremy, that's what I do whenever stopped, firm brake pressure. I cannot see where it would cause any issues with brake bleeding unless you have a miniscule pin hole.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I cannot see where it would cause any issues with brake bleeding unless you have a miniscule pin hole.

Exactly my concern. Maybe I'm unmasking a subtle leak.

 

[stompandgo]

Bleeding should not be necessary. Changing the oil every few years is good PM, but not bleeding. Pad wear has so many variables. Cyclocross racers replace pads every other weekend. Touring types, every season. Occasional riders, maybe every other season. I don't think that you're doing anything wrong. I would ask your mechanic about the frequent bleeding. Were the levers soft? Were your hydraulic connections loosening up and letting air in? Or is it just "good practice"?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Bleeding should not be necessary. Changing the oil every few years is good PM, but not bleeding. Pad wear has so many variables. Cyclocross racers replace pads every other weekend. Touring types, every season. Occasional riders, maybe every other season. I don't think that you're doing anything wrong. I would ask your mechanic about the frequent bleeding. Were the levers soft? Were your hydraulic connections loosening up and letting air in? Or is it just "good practice"?

Thanks! Yes, in both instances, the lever very gradually went soft (frog in pot effect), but the service visit was finally triggered by one pad dragging on its rotor.

Thanks to the growing consensus about the abnormal bleeding frequency, I'm going to press hard on that issue.