Kopite Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My brother took his mountain bike to be serviced because he felt as though the hydraulic brakes weren't as venomous as they should be, he picked it up and was told by the bloke the service was routine, no problems yada yada. Bro asked if there was an issue with the brakes and if they just needed a bleed and refill etc, the bloke said that with hydraulic brakes on a mountain bike, you can't retighten the lines and "they sort themselves out". My brother was sceptical but was in a rush so didn't argue about it at the time. He went out with his wife biking in Wales yesterday, he thought he'd test the brakes before they went down any hills etc. One brake and the lines shot off the wheels, fluid everywhere etc. He's not too happy at the min but hasn't got the time to take it back to the shop that serviced them himself so i'm doing it, before i start b*llocking the bloke, is there anything special about mountain bike brakes that mean they're not serviceable? If not, what kind of service would you do on them - same as most hydraulics in terms of bleeding and retopping fluid and tightening lines?! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Mountain bike? service? Where's the man balls? He should be taking care of his own bike, tch, service indeed! Anyway, it's no different to any other hydraulic system. The ones I've seen have little reservoirs by the levers to top up. God knows what the shop guy meant by "sort themselves out" but if the lines flew off, then the shop mechanic must be a bit dodgy. I'd be complaining strongly to the manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Mountain bike? service? Where's the man balls? He should be taking care of his own bike, tch, service indeed! Anyway, it's no different to any other hydraulic system. The ones I've seen have little reservoirs by the levers to top up. God knows what the shop guy meant by "sort themselves out" but if the lines flew off, then the shop mechanic must be a bit dodgy. I'd be complaining strongly to the manager. Lol he's very hands on anyway but he's been on call at the hospital in Wolves all week (lives in Liverpool) so literally didn't have anytime to sort it out himself. Yeah I've no idea what he meant either, was double checking because i wasn't sure if there was anything special about mountain bike gear (no idea what could be different but you never know) before speaking to them tomorrow! I'm going down as he's away again! He was dying to go himself like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jspec Germany Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 That sounds rediculous. I've been a MTBr for 8 years. The line should not go flying off like you describe. What if he'd been bombing downhill at breakneck speed when that happened? Who assembled the bike and has it only been serviced there? Sounds like shoddy work to me mate. Go in with the anger and tell them you want it fixed/replaced. Do you know the brand of the brakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 That sounds rediculous. I've been a MTBr for 8 years. The line should not go flying off like you describe. What if he'd been bombing downhill at breakneck speed when that happened? Who assembled the bike and has it only been serviced there? Sounds like shoddy work to me mate. Go in with the anger and tell them you want it fixed/replaced. Do you know the brand of the brakes? Exactly, that's why he tested (from a fair speed) first, could of been in a precipice etc! I've no idea about the brands etc, I just know i've gotta pick it up and take it to this shop (he's written the name down lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 i've been in to mtb'ing for 17 years, had sevearl different sets of hydraulic disks, I even had the first full hydraulic system in 1997! anyway, when it comes to servicing the brakes, the only thing they can/should do is bleed the system, and align the caliper on the disk - theres no requirement to disconnect/re-tighten (never heard of the one) the hoses (only reason for them coming appart like you mention) as there normally screwed unions, juts like on a car or motorbike. If i brake feel not as grabby/venomous they will NOT sort themselves out, they need bleeding and or possibly new pads, so the bike shop is taking crap, utter crap. Now that theres fluid on the wheel, its quite possible it one the disk/pads, so thats a new set of pads aswell, the disk will need a good clean What brake system is it? hope/shimano/hayes/formula etc.. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supradoopa Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 As Si say's you shouldn't be tinkering with the lines, a service should consist of bleeding the system. You need to pressurise air from a bicycle tube through a container to replace the oil in your brake system. Not sure if it applies to any disc system but Hope use DOT5.1 Brake fluid only I'd personally have a polite word with the shop manager and would never go back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jspec Germany Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 A polite word? Sorry.. I'd be an utter d!ck about it if not satisfactorily rectumfied and demand it be put right or the local paper will be notified of their business practices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 All the good advice above. I would be seriously pi**ed if it was me. Imagine you didn't test your brakes and went through a twisty forest downhill section you could have been seriosuly hurt ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick001 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I am totally stunned - i did not even know push bikes had hydraulic brakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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