Shimano olives and barbs

I’ve got a pair of GRX groupsets to fit to son no.1’s CX bikes in the next week or so, they’re both off other bikes and as such the nuts, olives & barbs will need removing from either the caliper or shifter end so I can route the hoses.

Obviously this leads to the requirement for up to 8 new olives and barbs, I’ve had a little Google and can see the OE Shimano ones at £2.49 per end, or a set of 10, no doubt Chinese, off Amazon for around a fiver, is there actually any difference?

My local place had BBB packets of olives and barbs at around 20 quid each, 50 barbs and 50 barbs…

There are more than one type  / size of barb for Shimano hoses. Check their website for the right one for your hose. I got caught out a little while ago. I prefer to buy Shimano parts from my LBS.

If you have a friendly LBS, it’s worth popping in and mentioning what you need.

They may well do you a better deal than £2.50 a throw.

That’s how I source mine half the time, though I’ve found off-brand ones have worked fine too (from CRC).

50 barbs and 50 barbs

50 barbs and 50 olives obviously.

Swinnertons appear to have stock.

I use generic Chinese olives and barbs from aliexpress, never had any issues with any brand of brake. And when comparing oem to generic they look identical. Cost pennies when purchased in bulk.

Definitely check they’re the right ones.

There are (at least) two kinds.

They do have a negative impact if you use the wrong ones.

I can never remember which ones I need and, of course, they’re locked away out of sight until you start taking stuff to bits…

Two sizes depending on which hose you use – BH59 or BH90.

Same out diameter but different inner – and I cant remember which. The risk is the smaller barb will fit into the larger diamater hole, and they dont seal up properly.

Based on experience, I would avoid the absolutee cheapeste unbrande aliexpress/amazon stuff, but aftermarket (eg BBB) as above, is ok. Yes, it potentially comes out of the same factory, but being branded and sold through proper channels gives you at least some level of quality control.

I have had a cheap brake hose burst on me. Never again.

Olives are the same for BH59 and BH90 hoses as the OD is the same. The barbs are different. For Shimano barbs the silver coloured one is for BH90 and the copper one for BH59. I’ve read many posts on here of people reusing barbs and olives without problems as long as the olive has not been crushed too much.

Grx is bh90

Bh90 2.1mm id

Bh59 2.3mm id

Needed BH90 olives so ordered these from Amazon. They weren’t advertised as ZTTO but that’s what arrived, worked fine.

amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D9YBLTWN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

You only need 4, so a tenner all in? I’d just go to LBS and spend the tenner rather than give money to those arseholes at Amazon and have to wait for them, all for a negligible saving.

Part no is 8JA 9802