In the manual it says ‘Do not reuse the old hose barbs’, however I’m guesing this is not the case and is just Shimano marketing? 😉

I’m going to remove the remote end barb to shorten the hose and re-use the barb, or do I REALLY need to get a new barb??

if you can retrieve the barb without getting a single micro-scratch then yes, if not then buy a new barb. I had mine shortened by my LBS and it needed bleeding weekly after that, took it to a proper LBS (Twelve 50 cycles Fordsham) who told me the barb had a score on it, put new one on and it’s been spot on ever since.

When I snapped mine under the seat ordered these from crc http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20445 or http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20444 just check the size and
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20453
in black stainless much stronger than the factory made item

Gary

I re-used mine. Simple job to do, shouldn’t take more than 5 mins. Think I just unscrewed it like it says on RS website videos, snipped the hose and screwed back in

That’ll be why you get the little torx tool in the bleed kit I suppose?

Ta,
Noticed they had gone to the screw in fittings similar to the Goodridge ones and I’ve been re-using goodridge fittings on hoses for years without problem.

Followed this video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOqhnknutbo

Easy as!

same here: used the RS video, took about 3 mins and was a piece of cake. mmmmm…. caaaaake. Didn’t even have to bleed it afterwards.

Me too. Didn’t need to bleed mine…

The trick is not to cut too deeply into the hose. Gently cut through the black outer coating and try and pull the hose away from the barb with some pliers. If it doesn’t come away from the barb then cut very lightly through the kevlar(?) fibre underneath. If you feel the blade touch the barb then there is every chance that you will need a new barb.

No need to use a blade at all to remove barb. Just unscrew!

That depends if you have the early push on barb or the later screw type barb. Trying to unscrew the hose from the push on barb would be a good way to waste your evening, the next day and probably the rest of your life.

If anyone wants a set of the upgraded 2012 screw in barbs, mail me (sorry for the shameless spam 😳 )

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/rockshox-reverb-barb-upgrade-kit