Shimano hydraulic sti RS685 – anyone else finding the hoods a bit loose??

Andy

Did the hose change improve things as suggested on the other thread?

Cheers

Andy

Did the hose change improve things as suggested on the other thread?

Cheers

Initial impressions after a quick shakedown ride are yes! Planning to get out on the bike for a proper test this weekend but in the stand and on that quick ride the that brakes seem sharper and firmer.

Followed that thread to the letter – started with new hoses then bled as per the instructions in the thread, and much happier.

Will report back again with a proper post-ride opinion, but well worth the £20 quid I paid. A 1000mm front hose and rear 1700mm hose was long enough for my Diverge. I got the “LX” hose from CRC – just make sure you get the straight/straight connector hoses if you have the 685 caliper.

A

Firstly a big shout out to SJS Cycles as provide a first class service. New hoods fitted (without) taking off clamps and disconnecting cables/hoses. Brute force to get them off but new ones fit like a glove. My origional place of purchase are going to refund me as don’t stock them.

Bikepimp, can you explain process of removing and replacing ?

Just updating for Sheck:

Two long rides in now – brakes feel awesome. Just as I hoped they’d feel when I first got them.

Less lever travel, firmer feel and quicker bite.

Happy days.

Newer hoods feel better too – no sloppiness. Would love to see how bikepimp fitted them without disconnecting – although I still needed to do it as I wanted to changes hoses anyway!!

A

Andy/Iainc,
I found a video on you tube and just followed it. A lot of brute force to get them off but much easier going back on…had the Cx bike out on a couple of long rides and no sign of stretching or baggyness. Still as tight as a drum.

Cheers

^^^^ link ?

Iainc,
Not sure how to do that:-(. If you do a search on Yahoo and simply type in how to replace Shimano ergo lever hoods there is a few videos showing how to do it. Let me know how you get on:-)

no worries, will have a look this evening, thanks

got mine in front of me here, can’t say I’m looking forward to installing them, what a mess.

Kimi,
Relax as really easy to install..do the brakes first then the gears as I found that easier…although my frame has internal cable routing…the brakes do require a lot of bleeding to work effectively but once done they are really powerful..

thanks, I don’t have the frame to hang them on yet but I did shudder a bit on opening the box.. my first STI’s too.

Thanks Andy… Sounds like it might be worth it… Have been riding on the hoods since fitting the brakes, and have to admit to beginning to get used to it, but would like to get back into the drops at some point

Thinking of getting some of these later in the year. Is there any way of knowing whether you’re buying a set with baggy or non-baggy hood rubber?

Picked up my new Defy yesterday. The covers are definitely a bit tighter than the ones on my CDF…

Good to hear new hoods fixes the issue. Might just buy some rather than faff with sending them back etc…

(BTW someone is still searching on Yahoo??)

Nedraper,
Regarding your post as above unfortunately not as fine out the box….it’s only after you’ve pulled back the hoods to bleed the brakes and re-fit them back over you notice the baggyness…its most annoying and only new ones will fix it….

cheers bikepimp – will you have to fit new hoods again next time you bleed the brakes?

Finally got around to changing mine today! Ordered them from SJS. Had various bits off for maintenance anyway, so threaded the brake caliper (with pads out) through the hood and put them on from the back of the lever.

Huge difference. Old ones looked 50% bigger comparing them side by side. Much more comfy now.

Good to hear Horatio. I think I am going to have to do the same, but will try and hold out until I change my bars for some flared drops as re-taping seems a bit of a hassle at the moment!

Just replaced my hoods, they went on OK using alcoholic hand gel as a lube. Here are old and new compared.

I have one baggy hood and one tight. Will attempt a bar tape bodge to shore up the baggy one.

I have one baggy hood and one tight.

Same here , must get around to fitting the new hoods from SJC .