DIY bleed kit?

[shankarbn]

I'm planning a multi day MTBing trip in the himalayas and I was looking around for ways to carry a hydraulic brake bleed kit. The more I search on the interwebz, the more I'm led to believe that branded bleed kits are just glorified and DIY bleed kits work much better. I have hayes stroker ryde brakes on my MTB and thinking of ordering this bleed kit since I'm too much of a wuss right now to make my own DIY. Also, this kit is simpler to carry on a tour than the whole schabang of two bottles, 100ml fluid and what not.

Thoughts? Ideas? Any links for learning how to bleed apart from the Hayes video?

[bblost]

Shankar. Please try it out at home before you take it outdoors.

I tried bleeding my motorbikes discs* and it ended up with me having to go to a mechanic. A day in between riding without front brake was so much fun.

Did not use any kit, just standard procedure as described in youtube or someplace for motorbikes.

[htedum]

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... ke-service

From what I read, most people recommend DIY too, so you should be okay.

But do you really need to carry a bleed kit for this tour? From what I hear, once a year should be fine! As long as your brakes have been bled recently (last six months) and are in proper working order, I think you should be fine. At worst, your brakes will feel spongier if air gets trapped in the fluid. Not like they'll completely fail.

[shankarbn]

Shankar. Please try it out at home before you take it outdoors.

Most definitely will, sir. Thanks for the note of caution. I presume motorbikes are much too messy because of the amount of fluid required and the difficulty of taking off heavy parts off the bike, if needed. I'm planning to have a sit down session with my motorbike mechanic before I try this out on my MTB too.

[bblost]

Forgot to add.
The brake oils dot3, dot4 etc are very bad for paint. Don't let them get in contact with any painted surface.
http://www.ehow.com/video_2326810_brake ... paint.html

[shankarbn]

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/hayes-reg-hydraulic-brake-service

From what I read, most people recommend DIY too, so you should be okay.

But do you really need to carry a bleed kit for this tour? From what I hear, once a year should be fine! As long as your brakes have been bled recently (last six months) and are in proper working order, I think you should be fine. At worst, your brakes will feel spongier if air gets trapped in the fluid. Not like they'll completely fail.

I hear you. Apparently, hayes brakes last much longer after being bled. But I'm pretty sure to be taking wheels off and there are (although very few) chances of brakes being applied while wheels are off and pads getting stuck. Besides, its the himalayas man. I'd rather be prepared than sorry.

[Carpediem]

The kit wont cost you more than 100 bucks INR. Go to a medical shop and get that 50ml syringe and the infusion tubing from them. There done. Brake fluid costs extra btw.

[shankarbn]

The kit wont cost you more than 100 bucks INR. Go to a medical shop and get that 50ml syringe and the infusion tubing from them. There done. Brake fluid costs extra btw.

You're right. Its just easier to buy these near my place than order on ebay and wait for a month or two.

[shankarbn]

Apparently, this is the method to bleed disc brakes on my bike.



Looks simple enough. Will bleed the front brake and see if I can do it . Anyone know what alternative there is to that bleed fitting black plastic thingy?