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Posted

HI everyone,

 

In need of some advice here as im not very impressed with a few things on my bike i had changed recently.

 

I bought a 2nd hand Merida Matts 400 last year ( i know its old but at 3k it was tiptop and i dig the frame). Did the whole tubeless tyre thing , service etc etc. Ive been riding now for a year and decided recently to upgrade a few things on the bike. Mainly the groupset and the fork (the Dart 2 fork was shot..). The fork is ugraded a 32 Fox Float and a Xt groupset. The rotors are not Xt and ive noticed the crank states a certain model chain should be used which isnt the model on mine. Neither is the cassette. I was informed the cassette is a Slx cassette. Everything else though is Xt. I got everything excluding labour for R8500.00.

 

After having a huge fallout with the person I purchased the parts from ( I was charged for extra unforseen costs and wasnt notified) ive sworn off buying from there again. The problem is the rear brake doesnt brake properly. Im still using the old rotors as I was informed the wheelset i have isnt compatible with the rotors. I have to pull the lever all the way to the grip just to get the brake to start working. Ive checked the free stroke and its completely closed. When I contacted their technician explaining to him there could be air in the system I was informed I should bring it in and theyll sort it out at a cost. I explained Its been doing this since Ive recieved the bike from them!! Where guys, can I take my bike to have someone check whats really going on with the bike setup who deals with setting up Shimano parts and can give great service.? Im living in the north west and Im willing to go to JHB/Pta.

 

Thanks and looking forward to some helpful advice.

Posted

The fix is super simple - bleed the system to get the air out. When set up right Shimano xt brakes are some of the best around.

 

I'll leave the shop choice to the other hubbers as NWest is a bit out of my postal code. C'mon locals - recommend some shops...

Posted

You don't have to go through the full bleeding process. Merely BURP the brake system to extract the excess air in the system.

 

YOU TUBE, shows the method. Worked perfectly.

 

Peter Pan...

Posted (edited)

You can rather learn to sort these issues out yourself. In my experience it pays in the long run.. less high blood pressure and confidence in your bike.

I've done a tutorial to bleed XT brakes, attached here. It's not the only way to do it but works for me.

Give it a try.

Shimano XT brake bleeding_2.pdf

 

Alternatively, there's a LBS in one of the newish shopping centres east of Harties that the guys talk about. I can't remember the name, but I'll post it later

 

Oh, and get onto XT rotors as soon as you can

Edited by RichieT
Posted (edited)

Go to:

Lee at Sweat and Gears in Benoni - 083 459 2184

Chris at Mega Bike at East Gate - 078 882 8005

 

They have both worked on my bikes and have built a few. XT, SLX, etc. specialists

Edited by wouterretief
Posted

I hope you did not take it to the "Biggest LBS in Rustenburg". Their prices are the best, but service of bikes is not very high on their priority list.

Get hold of Hennie Fourie at the Club, quite sure he'll be able to point you in the right direction as far as servicing goes.

Posted

You can rather learn to sort these issues out yourself. In my experience it pays in the long run.. less high blood pressure and confidence in your bike.

I've done a tutorial to bleed XT brakes, attached here. It's not the only way to do it but works for me.

Give it a try.

Shimano XT brake bleeding_2.pdf

 

Alternatively, there's a LBS in one of the newish shopping centres east of Harties that the guys talk about. I can't remember the name, but I'll post it later

 

Oh, and get onto XT rotors as soon as you can

nice one dude, well done on sharing some knowledge, great tutorial...

Posted

I hope you did not take it to the "Biggest LBS in Rustenburg". Their prices are the best, but service of bikes is not very high on their priority list.

Get hold of Hennie Fourie at the Club, quite sure he'll be able to point you in the right direction as far as servicing goes.

Could it be the same one that was caught using a pair of pliers on my brake caliper nipple (and rounded it off!).

I have not been back to 'that' shop since! The local mechanics in the township have a better equipped workshop!

 

Rather try and do the bleed yourself (in fact everything!), you will save time and money as well as frustration. Its certainly not difficult contrary to how to the bike shops like to play it!

Posted

You can rather learn to sort these issues out yourself. In my experience it pays in the long run.. less high blood pressure and confidence in your bike.

I've done a tutorial to bleed XT brakes, attached here. It's not the only way to do it but works for me.

Give it a try.

Shimano XT brake bleeding_2.pdf

 

Alternatively, there's a LBS in one of the newish shopping centres east of Harties that the guys talk about. I can't remember the name, but I'll post it later

 

Oh, and get onto XT rotors as soon as you can

 

Thanks for the Instructions!!!!! :clap:

Posted

there is also the ghetto bleed option...just a syringe and mineral oil required. But I would only suggest doing it after some practise using the method in the pdf

 

disclaimer...if done incorrectly it WILL damage your brakes.

Posted

Tool-Up Cycles in Centurion. 012 661 1661

 

That said, bleeding Shimano brakes is very easy. Youtube it a bit. I use 2 plastic syringes, a 7mm spanner and a piece of fishtank air tubing.

 

Robert is your mother's brother.

Posted

I hope you did not take it to the "Biggest LBS in Rustenburg". Their prices are the best, but service of bikes is not very high on their priority list.

Get hold of Hennie Fourie at the Club, quite sure he'll be able to point you in the right direction as far as servicing goes.

Yip, thats where I went. Im assuming Hennie rides with Rustenburg Multisport? ill get in touch thanks!

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