like this one:
https://www.merlincycles.com/absoluteblack-hydraulic-brake-piston-press-339609.html
Are they really better than a plastic tyre lever ?
I've been eyeing these up - apparently they do a bigger 4 piston one too, but I can't see it for sale anywhere
I have the Sumart version. Only tried it on my Mavens so far and with the caliper attached to my bike it was such a fiddle to get in place I went back to using a plastic tyre lever. That could just be the Mavens though, I find even the pads a fiddle to get in and out on those. I bought it because the idea of being able to push all four pistons at the same time is a good one, just hope it works more easily on my other brakes
I've got a cheap aliexpress one. it's held together (vaguely) with magnets rather than the rubber bands on the AbBlack one pictured, but it has a large enough press plate to do a 4 piston brake.
However, on the smallest setting it's too thick to get between the pistons with even a part worn pad removed. I still needed to use my park pp1.2 first (using the worn out pads, the part worn pad(or a set of old backplates I've kept if I'm worried about damaging the part used ones).
The wind out tool is kind of useful for getting the pistons back completely (I'm on Hopes and the 3d printed bleed block is a tight fit) but also has a tendency to fall to bits if you look at it wrong.
That could just be the Mavens though, I find even the pads a fiddle to get in and out on those.
Brakes where you can't access pads and callipers from above? That's high on my list of "things that would stop me buying a brake".
Brakes where you can't access pads and callipers from above? That's high on my list of "things that would stop me buying a brake".
Even better when those same brakes need a ‘piston massage’ every now and then 😀. I do like the Mavens but they aren’t perfect
Aliexpress do a knockoff version of the Sram sliding wedge one that is decent. Tbh though a blue plastic park tool tyre lever always did the job anyway.
I’ve had the SRAM and Sumart. Both fine until you need to put any real power through them. Currently using these https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1554333966/bike-disk-brake-piston-spreader?ls=r&external=1&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-1&sts=1&content_source=7bdd751cd05cfcedb716da9e712e90ea%253ALT912a9255149e2279c46e166ca55da005c432d6d0&logging_key=7bdd751cd05cfcedb716da9e712e90ea%3ALT912a9255149e2279c46e166ca55da005c432d6d0
I have a red Amazon special of the screw wedge tool. I was sceptical but I quite like it. I just need to remake my single piston block. The wedge isn't big enough for hope e4s but it's quick to push the pistons in then move.
^^^ Those Etsy pad spreaders look good but what do the 18/26/36mm width options refer to?
I've got four different types of brakes: SRAM Force, Shimano Ultegra, Shimano SLX 2 pot and XT 4 pot. Can one set of pad spreaders work for all brakes or would I need more than one width?
I have a few different variants of piston presses from AliExpress (combined cost less than that Merlin link one), not actually needed to use one yet though...
I have a couple of the one piston sized screw presses and I really like them for bleeding brakes and exercising the pistons, but it’s a workshop tool really I’d say.
those Etsy tools look good and simple, but need to find a UK source so they're not £25!
I have one of these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009722790493.html
It's cheap but as above is a bit thick with the steel inserts in, so I've been using it without. Even then it only just fits. It does work once in, but I do wonder if the 'opposing wedge' type like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005009243277423.html would have been better.
Genuine Sram version here. It's a great tool and a pleasure to use. Used on a mixture of Sram brakes and also Hope Tech 4; It's just about big enough to cover enough of the 4 pistons.
