I'm putting together a bike for my partner and can buy a complete set of Shimano BRM445 hydraulic disc brakes for about the same price as a set of BB5 mechanicals. It's a small bike so the hoses will need trimming down. I've got a spare olive and insert (from my M585/M595 brakes) and wondered whether this can be use with the BRM445s. Like the M595s the BRMs are straight fit brakes at bother the levers and calipers (rather than the banjo setup).
Nice to see the helpful folk are out in force. Yes they do use the same olives/inserts, also your new brake should come with them as well. You will also have to find something to grip the hose clamps for hammering in the insert, they are quite a tight fit. Molegrips/slipjaw pliers or a vice work well. The hose clamps also come with new brakes.
Thanks.
I've shortened hose and replaced calipers before, but I'm not that experienced and haven't worked on BRM445s, so it's good to know that they use the same olives and inserts (I think I've got one spare from some M585s somewhere).