This is by far one of the best video GMBN Tech has done. This is the ultimate complement to the excellent bleed video Doddy has done few years ago. Henry, you are a very good presenter. Despite the fact that I fiddle on my bike for years, I learned very important details watching this. Thanks for sharing such precious knowledge! Cheers!
Fiddling on your bike is dangerous. Both hands on the grips for safety. I'm also not sure about the legality. Check with your local law enforcement agency.
You guys should have a segment once a month where Henry just reads a romance novel. I think you could reach a completely new audience, he has such a sensual voice.
"Why do we buy jeans with holes already cut into them." Yes. Finally. Someone who really, truly understands the nature of existence in a way so few of us seem to.
I've got a fair amount of shop experience, but somehow never learned more than the basics for hydro discs. I cannot tell you how helpful this is. Thank you Henry!
This was exactly what i asked for, this is so much in depth, new dude taking gmbn to another level, sorry Doddy but Henry is really relaxed, talks slow, he gets you feeling good, hehe. This guy is a REAL MECHANIC. RESPECT
Phenomenal vid. I learnt many things today. The difference between Henry's real life experiences and Doody's regurgitating of owner's manuals is immense!
I followed the instructions to make my guide RE feel better, now they feel like new brakes ! They feel more powerfull, the initial bite is more agressive and the lever is less soft. Really good video ;)
I respect him so much for not caring that he might be "enoying" us about contamination, but just being focused on doing the job as good as possible and showing us how to do it, no compromise! Fantastic to have him on board!
Henry, you have done a great job of presenting the critical and subtle details that a noob mechanic/cyclist needs to know about brakes. Your 'low-key' presentation gives me the confidence to take on this important part of maintaining my bike. Thank you so much for your video.
Wow... This ridiculous! I am lying on the beach on Mauritius, having a nice holiday - but this video makes me wanna be in my bike garage trying that sensational new tips with my bike. Pls GMBN this sounds rather mental, but can you revise some of your tech videos just by having those super geeky Tipps from Henry!!!! Please Doddy I am a big fan of yours and I learned so much from you - this sould not make you upset. Henry and Doddy just should synergies their knowledge... Cause they're both good
This is the advice of someone who really knows what's going on through empirical experience and engineering understanding! I always knew that closed v open systems existed but you really made the difference clear.
Love the passion and the determination that fella has on how importent it is to take care of the small things which do make the big difrence! Nice Video 🤘
Awesome vid. I cracks me up how much I have got wrong over the years with my brakes, and if I had seen this before, how much time and money it would have saved me! 🤣 Why couldn't gmbn have been around 10 years ago.
Fantastic video guide. The one thing I think a lot of DIY folks miss is the part where balancing the pistons is often missed. Henry said it best, in an ideal world all 4 pistons would move consistently but they don't. People used to wonder what I was doing at that point but once the piston seals and surround areas are cleaned and lubed with brake fluid, working them in and out to ensure good movement is often followed by the balancing phase. Without doing it, even the best brakes can seem mediocre.
Almost never comment despite consuming a ton of cycling content on youtube, but want to join in the chorus and say Henry is one of the best bike maintenance presenters I've watched. Really enjoyed how he zero'ed in on the minute details and explained precisely why he was choosing which tool or doing something a certain way(thus allowing someone to choose an appropriate alternative, if they don't have the same means, instead of flat instructions with no reasoning leaving you completely unsure of which elements are completely vital).
YES! thank you! exactly what i needed right now. spent quite some time on my brakes while injured, bleeding them, cleaning them, buying new pads, adjusting calipers... the feel better but still far from what i think is possible. now this video really told me some things i didn't know.
Brilliant, perfect, just did it all and my spongy break is vanished. Superb tips. Definitely a GMBN team member in all means. Not had said it yet but welcome mate 😉
Loved the insight into closed vs. open system brakes. More of this please. Also, how exactly does the dual pressure system of the sram brakes work exactly?
I have yet to figure this one out. That explanation had me searching. Also worth noting that brake fluid, or fluid in any hydraulic system, is non-compressible.
@@joystix11 There isn't no dual pressure. I am not sure what the video is getting at on that point. MTB myths... The system becomes a closed loop when the lever is pressed in, and open when fully extended.
always good to watch GMBN for riding tips and even in the service the bike tips. From not only people that have learned to do the work, but you all have a hand on the shredding down hill and more. Thanks for these tips and will pass them on to my customers to try and save money and do the work them selves.
Wow, this has literally changed the performance of my codes. They were squishy and rubbish no matter how many times I bled them. Couldn't even get the back wheel to lock up! Followed Henrys instructions and presto! Perfect back brake! Thanks heaps Henry
Great detailed video. One of the most underrated maintenance required on your bike. The flat head trick does wonders. Few things that help me in this process are: Soft bristle small pipe cleaners - easier to get in between the piston and caliper body to clean. Small paint brush - I find this makes applying DOT to lube pistons very easy Bottle of water - Just to pour some over the caliper to flush the dirt off the hard to reach places around the piston. Winding lever adjusters out at the start - seems to create a better 'base' point to then adjust throw and BPC if you have those settings
Thanks a lot for the video. I did OCD level bleed of the brakes (SRAM Guide RSC) and they still felt spongy and weak. So after seeing your video I cleaned all pistons and lubed them with brake fluid. Wow the change is unbelievable. Absolutely no sponge feeling and the stopping power is just amazing. If you ever happen to be in Norway, I owe you a beer :)
Really nice one. The timing of this video is perfect. Been having problems with my brakes and followed the steps in this video and now my brakes are better than it ever was. The finer details you gave are key. Thank you Henry.
Thank you for doing this. It drives me mad when people complain about their brakes just because they were never set up or cleaned properly. Most mechanics I've worked with didn't even know half the stuff you showed in this video! I'll add one more bit, specifically about contamination: As long as you didn't bath your pads/rotor in oil you can revitalise them both to a more than usable level. Give them a good spray/wipe down with brake cleaner and a rough (!) piece of papercloth. Then take a bit of sandpaper to them and scrub for a bit. Another round of brake cleaner will get the tiny particles off, if the paper itself leaves stuff compressed air helps (just use your pump). Lastly, grip your pads with something non-heat-conductive and take a lighter to the resin. Just a couple seconds and not in the hottest part of the flame! Be careful, the backing plate gets hot, especially the finned Shimano ones. You most likely won't get back to the performance of a brand new set, but definitely good enough for most regular riders (non-racers that is).
Good stuff Henry! I worked on motorcycles for many years before learning this trick from a fellow tech. The results of cleaning caliper pistons are excellent. Great way to bring your brakes back to life.
I almost feel dirty posting to this video… but the tidbit of squeezing the lever while pushing the pads out gently is the best little nugget of info I have heard for sram brakes… got mine feeling exactly the way I needed them to
I was just about to throw in the towel with my brand new Guides. Far too much lever travel for me. Done this to my back one just now and it worked...It actually bloody worked!! 😀 Thanks Henry.
I'm just starting to get into mountain bikes, and I'm super interested in the technical side. I'm going to take some tech courses and next summer apply at one of my local bike shops to be an interning mechanic. Thank you guys so much for all the amazing help that you put out for free
I know this is an oldie, but it's still a goodie! I do this every month or two during the season, and every time it's like NEW BRAKE DAY! Seriously, absolutely everyone should do this at least a few times a season. And bleed once a year.
For 4 pot calipers it's also fun to use a bleed block with 1/4th of it cut out - that way only one piston comes out at a time and it's easy to clean and cycle it
I never actually comment on vids but i guess it allways encourages people, and allso i enjoyed this video very much so gl on you new path mr.tech guy and very nice tips! . I work in a bike shop and for cheap bikes we just push the pistons out sprayem with caliper cleaning spary then blast it of with air pressure,put some oil on the pistons push them back and repeat that first part to clear any excess oil and it good to go! :D
Hahahahahahaha i love how you say praaah in the end hahaha love the video, i've done some of this stuff but i really really liked the hack when you equalize the high and low pressure in the sistem, quality info and first time hearing it🤟
just did this along with a pad change - can feel the difference, haven't had this firm of lever feel since new! Bet my pad advancement will work better as well...
Thanks for the little balancing tip at 11:00 made my brakes feel much better! I thought they were getting a bit doughy! Awesome video I love the little details.
Something VERY important is to wear clear glasses, I mentioned that on a video long time ago. I can not emphasize enough, the worst skint rash is nothing compared to fluid going into your eyes So glases are a MUST!
I just started to get into mountain bikes and the level of technology is blowing my mind... I never gave bikes any thought past "are the tires flat?" but now I'm learning about dual hydraulic systems and calipers 😬
Henry is really coming into his own as a presenter - getting really comfortable and has a really nice way about him in talking through tech. The breaks - I've more or less given up messing with brakes - each time I've tried to bleed or srevice brakes i've ended up messing up so badly that I've had to buy new brakes. I destroyed a set of Hayes, 2 sets of Avids.... I now have shimano, the simplest set and I won't go amywhere near them. Nothing ever goes as well as these youtube vids! Cool vid though Henry.
I bought a used bike with very contaminated pads. I cleaned the rotors than I took the pads out and heated them with a blowtorch until they went red hot (paint on the back of the pad is gonna smoke so do outside). Heat until you see no more smoke coming from the contact point. After they cooled down I gave them a nice sand with 180 grid paper on a flat surface and now the bike brakes work amazing!
Excellent Henry. At first, I scanned this video (as I do with most instructional video's) but your "hack tips" made me rewind the thing and watch it again. So detailed, thanks! I learned a lot. I didn't quite understand the bit on the caliper needing to sit perpendicular to the disc. Or something. Can you explain that bit once more?
I've been playing with my brakes and the wives brake system, will use these tips and I'm sure I'll get that perfect feel I've failed to achieve so far.
Dude.....How many wives do you have !! Respect !! Also, I wish my wife came with a braking system, but in her case it's more of a "breaking system". For my kneecaps, if you get the picture.
epic video, I use dental floss for cleaning my pistons, loop it round and pull back and forth, works a treat, also cutting a quarter out of a bleed block allows you to push one piston at a time out, flip it round / upside down to get all four
Hi I am think that Henry is a great asset to GMBN and he really knows what he is on about from the basic right through to more technical things on mountain bikes and Henry and doddy are great together on the GMBN ask show's I really enjoy watching the both of them and I get really great tips on how to finally tune my old 90's claud butler Cape wrath with brushed aluminium frame as I've done a full rebuild on my MTB 90's claud butler Cape wrath with all brand new mod parts air suspension forks and downhill wheels and tires and brand new Shimano SLX brakes. Everything on my old claud butler Cape wrath MTB bike is all brand new parts as my old claud butler Cape wrath with brushed aluminium frame is retro but I have modified it. But Henry is a great asset to GMBN team and I really enjoy watching doddy and Henry working together on the GMBN show's hope we all see alot more of Henry. As I've subscribed to GMBN. Thanks guys and I love the shows
Great video Henry. From what I've read recently, the pistons actually do not move in the seals when the brake is operated. The movement is allowed solely by the piston square seal deformation. Pistons move in the seals only due to pad wear (inwards) or when being reset (outwards). Nevertheless dirt might hinder the motion and cause sticky pistons. Can you please comment on this? I'd also be interested in more details about the high/low pressure system in avid/sram brakes, and the difference to shimano brakes. What about other brands, such as formula, trp, trickstuff, hayes, etc?
a hope mechanic in huez at the megavalanche advised lubing your pistons with silicone grease.. just like with motorbikes.. after he did the rear.. i could not do wheelies anymore.. brake power 200%.. i kept slamming the front into the ground..
I understand the importance of getting all of the pistons to operate, smoothly and evenly. Nothing could be more important, but SRAM does not recommend using dot fluid on the outside. And it seems to me. Most people are going to leave a lot of excess oil which is going to entrain dirt back into the piston clearances and just cause it to jam up worse as soon as the dirt sticks to the leftover oil
A high temperature silicone grease (applied sparingly) is also great for sticky pistons, but needs to be 300 centigrade plus certified, easily found on ebay
This is by far one of the best video GMBN Tech has done. This is the ultimate complement to the excellent bleed video Doddy has done few years ago.
Henry, you are a very good presenter. Despite the fact that I fiddle on my bike for years, I learned very important details watching this. Thanks for sharing such precious knowledge! Cheers!
Fiddling on your bike is dangerous. Both hands on the grips for safety. I'm also not sure about the legality. Check with your local law enforcement agency.
@@paghal11 nothing wrong with a fiddle! Although I do find when tandem that a good blow of the old trumpet is more appealing! 👍
I had my doubts, but this Doddy 2.0 is a much appreciated addition to the crew.
Doddy mixed with Chris Eubank = Better brakes.
Lol, I laughed. Thanks to Henry :D
It's like a GMBN AMSR vid
definatly
*asmr
ASMR Tech! lol
you mean ASMR
Make that a thing
"By happy accident"... This man is the Bob Ross of mountain biking!
Joel exactly what i thought too
Happy accident has been an English saying for decades
I was just gonna comment on how soothing his voice is 😆
Hahaha bob ross
Henry’s Hacks? Awesome segment! I learned a lot.
You guys should have a segment once a month where Henry just reads a romance novel. I think you could reach a completely new audience, he has such a sensual voice.
"Why do we buy jeans with holes already cut into them."
Yes.
Finally.
Someone who really, truly understands the nature of existence in a way so few of us seem to.
PyroUltimate king of the hill was years ahead
I've got a fair amount of shop experience, but somehow never learned more than the basics for hydro discs. I cannot tell you how helpful this is. Thank you Henry!
Henry has such a calming voice. I love it! A nice change, after a 3 hour binge of cycling videos.
Daryl Spano I think it would be funny to hear him explaining a lot of really unusual things, like how to trip and fall.
This was exactly what i asked for, this is so much in depth, new dude taking gmbn to another level, sorry Doddy but Henry is really relaxed, talks slow, he gets you feeling good, hehe. This guy is a REAL MECHANIC. RESPECT
Well, no matter who you are - you present a very good tech video and are a great compliment to the GMBN crew.
Thanks. )
Phenomenal vid. I learnt many things today. The difference between Henry's real life experiences and Doody's regurgitating of owner's manuals is immense!
Seems a bit harsh on doddy (who's Doody?( More like dude-y), great vid though more in depth stuff like this would be appreciated
I followed the instructions to make my guide RE feel better, now they feel like new brakes ! They feel more powerfull, the initial bite is more agressive and the lever is less soft. Really good video ;)
I respect him so much for not caring that he might be "enoying" us about contamination, but just being focused on doing the job as good as possible and showing us how to do it, no compromise!
Fantastic to have him on board!
Henry, you have done a great job of presenting the critical and subtle details that a noob mechanic/cyclist needs to know about brakes. Your 'low-key' presentation gives me the confidence to take on this important part of maintaining my bike. Thank you so much for your video.
Wow... This ridiculous! I am lying on the beach on Mauritius, having a nice holiday - but this video makes me wanna be in my bike garage trying that sensational new tips with my bike.
Pls GMBN this sounds rather mental, but can you revise some of your tech videos just by having those super geeky Tipps from Henry!!!!
Please Doddy I am a big fan of yours and I learned so much from you - this sould not make you upset. Henry and Doddy just should synergies their knowledge... Cause they're both good
I hit like before I even watched. I love Henry's mechanical tips and tricks!
Phill Gordon me too
This is the advice of someone who really knows what's going on through empirical experience and engineering understanding! I always knew that closed v open systems existed but you really made the difference clear.
I was riding last night and my brakes felt really weird. I'll be going over them now. Bang on job! This is exactly what I needed!
Love the passion and the determination that fella has on how importent it is to take care of the small things which do make the big difrence! Nice Video 🤘
Awesome vid. I cracks me up how much I have got wrong over the years with my brakes, and if I had seen this before, how much time and money it would have saved me! 🤣 Why couldn't gmbn have been around 10 years ago.
I hate this head-start piston! 😅 Now I know how to make it act like it's best for a smooth operation. Thx, Henry! ^^
Fantastic video guide. The one thing I think a lot of DIY folks miss is the part where balancing the pistons is often missed. Henry said it best, in an ideal world all 4 pistons would move consistently but they don't. People used to wonder what I was doing at that point but once the piston seals and surround areas are cleaned and lubed with brake fluid, working them in and out to ensure good movement is often followed by the balancing phase. Without doing it, even the best brakes can seem mediocre.
Almost never comment despite consuming a ton of cycling content on youtube, but want to join in the chorus and say Henry is one of the best bike maintenance presenters I've watched. Really enjoyed how he zero'ed in on the minute details and explained precisely why he was choosing which tool or doing something a certain way(thus allowing someone to choose an appropriate alternative, if they don't have the same means, instead of flat instructions with no reasoning leaving you completely unsure of which elements are completely vital).
YES! thank you! exactly what i needed right now. spent quite some time on my brakes while injured, bleeding them, cleaning them, buying new pads, adjusting calipers... the feel better but still far from what i think is possible. now this video really told me some things i didn't know.
Just did this and the difference in bite point is unbelievable! Henry is the man!
"Balancing the system"... I suspect that is exactly what I need to do. Thanks a lot, this video is excellent.
I really like Henry as a Presenter he really is a cool guy and knows bike tech very well
This is the fine tuning I've been looking for for decades!
I just scrolled down to see if there were any voice comments.
haha. yes.
And they did not disappoint.
GMBN tech audience is the best.
Brilliant, perfect, just did it all and my spongy break is vanished. Superb tips. Definitely a GMBN team member in all means. Not had said it yet but welcome mate 😉
Great advice, I am from embn.
Now I see why the brakes are so good!
Loved the insight into closed vs. open system brakes. More of this please. Also, how exactly does the dual pressure system of the sram brakes work exactly?
Poorly
@@SnootchieBootchies27 Hope has the best approach on bleeding i think, works like a motorcycle brake, no syringes or kits needed.
I have yet to figure this one out. That explanation had me searching. Also worth noting that brake fluid, or fluid in any hydraulic system, is non-compressible.
@@joystix11 cool story bro
@@joystix11 There isn't no dual pressure. I am not sure what the video is getting at on that point. MTB myths... The system becomes a closed loop when the lever is pressed in, and open when fully extended.
always good to watch GMBN for riding tips and even in the service the bike tips. From not only people that have learned to do the work, but you all have a hand on the shredding down hill and more. Thanks for these tips and will pass them on to my customers to try and save money and do the work them selves.
Wow, this has literally changed the performance of my codes. They were squishy and rubbish no matter how many times I bled them. Couldn't even get the back wheel to lock up! Followed Henrys instructions and presto! Perfect back brake! Thanks heaps Henry
Henry is the Bob Ross of bike mechanics....
10:50 wow, top tip, man! This is a really good video.
Great detailed video. One of the most underrated maintenance required on your bike. The flat head trick does wonders.
Few things that help me in this process are:
Soft bristle small pipe cleaners - easier to get in between the piston and caliper body to clean.
Small paint brush - I find this makes applying DOT to lube pistons very easy
Bottle of water - Just to pour some over the caliper to flush the dirt off the hard to reach places around the piston.
Winding lever adjusters out at the start - seems to create a better 'base' point to then adjust throw and BPC if you have those settings
This is the ultimate brake hack video. I thought I knew all the tricks....clearly not. My Codes feel AMAZING now. Thanks Henry!
Thanks a lot for the video. I did OCD level bleed of the brakes (SRAM Guide RSC) and they still felt spongy and weak. So after seeing your video I cleaned all pistons and lubed them with brake fluid. Wow the change is unbelievable. Absolutely no sponge feeling and the stopping power is just amazing. If you ever happen to be in Norway, I owe you a beer :)
Really nice one. The timing of this video is perfect. Been having problems with my brakes and followed the steps in this video and now my brakes are better than it ever was.
The finer details you gave are key.
Thank you Henry.
More of this please guys. Loving the level of, and attention to detail in Henry's Hacks. Really clearly described and demonstrated. Great video!
Thank you for doing this. It drives me mad when people complain about their brakes just because they were never set up or cleaned properly. Most mechanics I've worked with didn't even know half the stuff you showed in this video!
I'll add one more bit, specifically about contamination: As long as you didn't bath your pads/rotor in oil you can revitalise them both to a more than usable level. Give them a good spray/wipe down with brake cleaner and a rough (!) piece of papercloth. Then take a bit of sandpaper to them and scrub for a bit. Another round of brake cleaner will get the tiny particles off, if the paper itself leaves stuff compressed air helps (just use your pump). Lastly, grip your pads with something non-heat-conductive and take a lighter to the resin. Just a couple seconds and not in the hottest part of the flame!
Be careful, the backing plate gets hot, especially the finned Shimano ones.
You most likely won't get back to the performance of a brand new set, but definitely good enough for most regular riders (non-racers that is).
and repeat the bedding in after that.
Good stuff Henry!
I worked on motorcycles for many years before learning this trick from a fellow tech. The results of cleaning caliper pistons are excellent. Great way to bring your brakes back to life.
I almost feel dirty posting to this video… but the tidbit of squeezing the lever while pushing the pads out gently is the best little nugget of info I have heard for sram brakes… got mine feeling exactly the way I needed them to
Your voice is actually really nice to listen to for a long time
Best brake video I have watched yet
Thanks Matt!
I was just about to throw in the towel with my brand new Guides. Far too much lever travel for me.
Done this to my back one just now and it worked...It actually bloody worked!! 😀
Thanks Henry.
I'm just starting to get into mountain bikes, and I'm super interested in the technical side. I'm going to take some tech courses and next summer apply at one of my local bike shops to be an interning mechanic. Thank you guys so much for all the amazing help that you put out for free
Thanks so much ! I learned a ton to complete my brake overhaul !
This has worked a treat on my code R's. No need for any RSC's with this method of adjusting the brakes.
I service write at a very busy bike shop in southern Utah, your videos help lots with diagnosing components. Thanks much!
Henry is the Barry White of GMBN. I’ll bet he can talk the brakes right off that bike 🤣
Haha, yeah and the bike will keep riding past him saying it can't brake right now..
I was thinking Bob Ross. this is not a bad thing.
HE EVEN SAID HAPPY ACCIDENT THE END!! 😂
Actually learned something new in this video
Henry, great video! Overall a very solid start to your life as a GMBN presenter, keep up the good work!
Definitely with the Tire Lever idea. I use Pedro's lever for pushing the pistons and it works perfect.
Solid video and just what I need to get my brakes tuned up. Thank you
I know this is an oldie, but it's still a goodie! I do this every month or two during the season, and every time it's like NEW BRAKE DAY! Seriously, absolutely everyone should do this at least a few times a season. And bleed once a year.
For 4 pot calipers it's also fun to use a bleed block with 1/4th of it cut out - that way only one piston comes out at a time and it's easy to clean and cycle it
This is the most soothing bike information video I've ever seen. His voice is like buttah
I never actually comment on vids but i guess it allways encourages people, and allso i enjoyed this video very much so gl on you new path mr.tech guy and very nice tips! .
I work in a bike shop and for cheap bikes we just push the pistons out sprayem with caliper cleaning spary then blast it of with air pressure,put some oil on the pistons push them back and repeat that first part to clear any excess oil and it good to go! :D
Top man! I followed your guidance and sorted out my sticky pistons. Great job!
definitely need more videos of Henry in his element working on bikes
Sorry but could anyone else just fall asleep listening to this guy, but I mean it in a really good way 😂😂
Dude Henry’s voice is amazing, I want him to read me a book someday
This was exactly what i needed. I need to bring back my Guide R to life :)
Bob Ross of bike tech.
Superb video.
Hahahahahahaha i love how you say praaah in the end hahaha love the video, i've done some of this stuff but i really really liked the hack when you equalize the high and low pressure in the sistem, quality info and first time hearing it🤟
just did this along with a pad change - can feel the difference, haven't had this firm of lever feel since new! Bet my pad advancement will work better as well...
Learned lot more from brakes, thanks Henry
The Bob Ross of mountain bike tech videos! Great job, and very calming!
Thanks for the little balancing tip at 11:00 made my brakes feel much better! I thought they were getting a bit doughy! Awesome video I love the little details.
Idk why, but I love listening to Henry.
Wow! I never saw your fingers! Now i do. Thanks henry!
Something VERY important is to wear clear glasses, I mentioned that on a video long time ago.
I can not emphasize enough, the worst skint rash is nothing compared to fluid going into your eyes
So glases are a MUST!
Great video. Learned something new here. Do more of these vids.
Henry is a legend! :)
Great video Henry. Been struggling with the feel of my Guides since I shortened the hoses. Not after doing this hack! Brakes feel amazing 👍🏻
I just started to get into mountain bikes and the level of technology is blowing my mind... I never gave bikes any thought past "are the tires flat?" but now I'm learning about dual hydraulic systems and calipers 😬
Henry is really coming into his own as a presenter - getting really comfortable and has a really nice way about him in talking through tech.
The breaks - I've more or less given up messing with brakes - each time I've tried to bleed or srevice brakes i've ended up messing up so badly that I've had to buy new brakes.
I destroyed a set of Hayes, 2 sets of Avids.... I now have shimano, the simplest set and I won't go amywhere near them. Nothing ever goes as well as these youtube vids! Cool vid though Henry.
I bought a used bike with very contaminated pads. I cleaned the rotors than I took the pads out and heated them with a blowtorch until they went red hot (paint on the back of the pad is gonna smoke so do outside). Heat until you see no more smoke coming from the contact point. After they cooled down I gave them a nice sand with 180 grid paper on a flat surface and now the bike brakes work amazing!
Excellent Henry. At first, I scanned this video (as I do with most instructional video's) but your "hack tips" made me rewind the thing and watch it again. So detailed, thanks! I learned a lot. I didn't quite understand the bit on the caliper needing to sit perpendicular to the disc. Or something. Can you explain that bit once more?
Absolutely brilliant, you just saved me buying rsc levers for my code r’s they feel like new again :)
Ohhh nononoooooh !!! U the man Henry! Keep doing your thing! 🔥
I've been playing with my brakes and the wives brake system, will use these tips and I'm sure I'll get that perfect feel I've failed to achieve so far.
Dude.....How many wives do you have !! Respect !!
Also, I wish my wife came with a braking system, but in her case it's more of a "breaking system". For my kneecaps, if you get the picture.
epic video, I use dental floss for cleaning my pistons, loop it round and pull back and forth, works a treat, also cutting a quarter out of a bleed block allows you to push one piston at a time out, flip it round / upside down to get all four
I’m glad I’m not the only one enjoying your voice lmao. Very soothing. Almost wanted to light a cigarette and I don’t smoke 🚭
this video is gold
I am clearly off to work on my brakes now! Great video Henry
Hi I am think that Henry is a great asset to GMBN and he really knows what he is on about from the basic right through to more technical things on mountain bikes and Henry and doddy are great together on the GMBN ask show's I really enjoy watching the both of them and I get really great tips on how to finally tune my old 90's claud butler Cape wrath with brushed aluminium frame as I've done a full rebuild on my MTB 90's claud butler Cape wrath with all brand new mod parts air suspension forks and downhill wheels and tires and brand new Shimano SLX brakes. Everything on my old claud butler Cape wrath MTB bike is all brand new parts as my old claud butler Cape wrath with brushed aluminium frame is retro but I have modified it. But Henry is a great asset to GMBN team and I really enjoy watching doddy and Henry working together on the GMBN show's hope we all see alot more of Henry. As I've subscribed to GMBN. Thanks guys and I love the shows
Great video Henry.
From what I've read recently, the pistons actually do not move in the seals when the brake is operated. The movement is allowed solely by the piston square seal deformation. Pistons move in the seals only due to pad wear (inwards) or when being reset (outwards). Nevertheless dirt might hinder the motion and cause sticky pistons. Can you please comment on this?
I'd also be interested in more details about the high/low pressure system in avid/sram brakes, and the difference to shimano brakes. What about other brands, such as formula, trp, trickstuff, hayes, etc?
Thank you kindly. More of this!
a hope mechanic in huez at the megavalanche advised lubing your pistons with silicone grease.. just like with motorbikes.. after he did the rear.. i could not do wheelies anymore.. brake power 200%.. i kept slamming the front into the ground..
This guys is great, I have learnt so much from this, cheers pal 👊
Henry's voice is so soothing
I don't have hydraulic disk brakes still watching. Good work Henry!
I understand the importance of getting all of the pistons to operate, smoothly and evenly. Nothing could be more important, but SRAM does not recommend using dot fluid on the outside. And it seems to me. Most people are going to leave a lot of excess oil which is going to entrain dirt back into the piston clearances and just cause it to jam up worse as soon as the dirt sticks to the leftover oil
i've got tons of tips gathered, but you really introduced some new for the SRAM. Due for a service soon so these tips will come in handy.
A high temperature silicone grease (applied sparingly) is also great for sticky pistons, but needs to be 300 centigrade plus certified, easily found on ebay
What a superb masterclass, awesome attention to detail. Thanks 😀