How easy is it to swap the hoses round on a set of zee brakes without needing to bleed them? Bikester.co.uk currently have them fir £160 a set but they will be euro set up.
Pretty easy, you need a 7mm spanner and I’d replace the olive just to be sure.
Bleeding Shimano brakes is easy though, the fluid doesn’t go off so you can bulk buy and the ‘tool’ is a £5 plastic cup.
http://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/blog/shorten-shimano-hoses-without-bleeding/
Used this technique on a set of SLX the other day where I had to shorten and swap over from euro configuration - worked a treat. I had to loosen the bleed screw on the lever after I had pushed the pistons back in to let a little air out from the process.
Have done this many times. It needs surgical care but follow the above instructions and it works.
Having said that my Zees are a braking phenomenon after fitting new hoses. That part where you flick the hose to get the bubbles out - spent 30 mins doing that. There was always another bubble
Mostly, you'll get away with re-using the already crimped olive, although it's best to have some in stock just in case. That's a great price. 20quid cheaper than I could find them a month ago.
You'll probably need to shorten them too as all the shimano brakes I have fitted have about a mile of hose, so get some olives and inserts in.
Excellent, they are a bargain at the moment, will get some ordered
I just fitted a Zee lever .(basically a lot of mix n match).. swapped it for the new (in the continental SLX lever) and not too crushed olive / hose... no probe... but I'd make sure you have the spare olives BEFORE you start....
If you get away with it depends how crushed the washers are.... I find the factory setting there is usually a bit of extra left...
As others have said, if you do need to bleed then its really just a minor thing... sometimes you get a bubble that just won't go but then ziplock the brakes on and leave upright for a few hours/overnight.... (doesn't happen a lot but can)
Stick some shop towel inside the rubber bit ... if they are leaking the oil is pretty persistent so you'll be able to check on the towel if any fluid escapes... if it does then change olive...
HOWEVER... as others have said chance is they will be too long anyway.... but the full retail kit should have a spare olive and spike thing.
my cheap Zee brakes I bought from Bikdiscount (I think, may have been Probikekit) came with spare olives and barbs anyway
yes,mine too.
shimano brakes are a dawdle to do.... no issues with the Rear Zee brake on my DH rig after I shortened the hose...I did do a brake bleed on said brake afterwards though...