Stainless Brake Lines

[trbig]

Always the skeptic, I had heard people say how great these new stainless lines were compared to the old rubber lines. Anyone that's ridden with me knows I ride pretty aggressive, and I did just fine with the rubber lines. I replaced the rear recently and didn't notice a big difference.. which made me even more skeptical.

I am planning on a Colorado ride over several days next week. Anyone who has been to the area, knows there's lots of places with lots and lots of air time between you and the ground should you miss a curve.

The main reason, was that the caliper piston has not been retracting all the way and the brake has been hanging just a bit. The spooge hole and piston has been cleaned, etc.. I figured maybe it was just the old line flexing and relaxing and not letting the piston retract enough. So I decided to splurge and get a stainless line for the front. All I can say is.. WOW. I am going to have to totally re-learn the braking for this bike now. Hopefully I catch on quickly.. lots of twisties to ride next week!

Anyone thinking of doing it.. This skeptic's mind was changed in a hurry!


Tod

[Bigfoot]

I have been thinking about it. Where did you get the lines?

[trbig]

Just aftermarket stuff from my local bike shop. I probably could have found it cheaper online.. but like to keep them on the friendly side for the smaller stuff. The main line was @ $1 an INCH! lol. It's good plastic coated line though. The ends were $15 a piece.

Tod

[cywelchjr]

Just aftermarket stuff from my local bike shop. I probably could have found it cheaper online.. but like to keep them on the friendly side for the smaller stuff. The main line was @ $1 an INCH! lol. It's good plastic coated line though. The ends were $15 a piece.

Tod

Ok, so just what did it take to properly put the ends on yourself? I might consider doing it the same way if it's not too rocket science.

[trbig]

They were just screw on compression ends. It took a pair of channel locks to hold the end and an 11mm wrench to tighten the collar. So easy.. even the guys at NASA would have a hard time screwing it up!

Tod

[CatatonicBug]

They were just screw on compression ends. It took a pair of channel locks to hold the end and an 11mm wrench to tighten the collar. So easy.. even the guys at NASA would have a hard time screwing it up!

Tod

Wow, nothing about cavemen??

[trbig]

Naw... they get enough crap. I like to pick on the guys that can tell you the square root of 7,062,486,512 right off the top of their heads... but don't have enough common sense to be able to tie their shoes.


Tod

[dragxs11]

Best single mod I ever did. Before I couldn't lock up the front wheel no matter how hard I squeezed. After, no problem. With todays better tires, I'll bet I've cut many feet off the original spec stopping distance.
matt