Formula Brakes, do they need bleeding? (again)

[Vlamrouge]

Hi all,

 

I don't know exactly how the bleeding of brakes work, but I have a situation and was wondering if the collective knowledge of The Hub could help me, as I couldn't find anything by searching first. Search wasn't my friend.

 

First the back story:

 

When I purchased my bike in June I felt that the back brake was a bit weak, I figured I just needed to use it and it will settle in.

This was not the case, as it got worse, whereas my front brake didn't lose any "power" during the same time.

 

I had the back brake bled end of September, with no riding during October, as I was out of the country during that time. I've since done about a ride every weekend.

 

The brake is worse than before now, as the lever touches my grip before making full contact on the brake (it feels like it could still be pulled more)

 

The question:

 

Should I go and bleed my brake again (2 months later) or is there something else amiss here?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Shepherd]

Hi,

 

Not a brake expert however there are some more details if you could give the Hub someone would be able to assist.

 

- What brakes are they, brand and model? (Some brands obviously more susceptible to issues than others.)

 

- How do you store you bike when you aren't riding for an extended period of times? (I have heard if you store you bike upside down the brake fluid drains from the calipers, purely a story I had been told so cant verify this. Also not sure if there are any implications if you hang you bike).

 

 

 

Hope you come right, someone will be able to offer the winning advise.

 

Kind Regards,

Tim

[Vlamrouge]

Formula C1 

 

The bike leans against the wall in my flat. - Shouldn't be that then.

[Hairy]

incase you do it yourself

 

[droo]

Sounds like either worn pads (the manufacturers generally recommend replacing when there's between 1.5 and 2mm of friction material left), a fluid leak (although with DOT fluid you'd spot efflorescence where the fluid was leaking), or a bad bleed. Formulas can be tricky, I'd suggest you take the bike to Summit and get Wyatt to have a look at them.

[Hairy]

or this one for some local flavour

[Hairy]

Oh, btw the way, I am in a similar boat and need to take the rear brake in for a bleed too in order to see if it solves the issue.

[Hairy]

I prefer the first clip as it looks to get more air out

[Shepherd]

Ok... I have C1's 

 

They are awsome breaks when they arent giving issues hahaha... Having said that not to much issues but also constantly bleeding as the lever get down the bar quite quick with half pad life left.

 

 

I had a bad vibration from my back brake a while ago, took it in three times and did various things each time, i.e. pad change, rotor check, re bleed etc....

 

Long story short, my LBS sent it back to formula locally whom replaced the brake instantly and I was up and riding with no issues since...

 

SO my point here is that Formula support locally seems very jacked, should you have any issues I am sure they would sort it out.

 

However back to your issue, my front brake is down to the bar as mentioned earlier with half pad life left and is at the shop now for other work so they checking it out. Will let you know my outcome tomorrow when I collect my bike.

 

Kind Regards,

Tim

[Vlamrouge]

My problem is that I don't have the tools to do that and I don't think my flatmates would appreciate a bike shop in the living room. I've already washed my bike in the bath and they weren't too happy with that.

 

The joys of living with other people.

[Hairy]

My problem is that I don't have the tools to do that and I don't think my flatmates would appreciate a bike shop in the living room. I've already washed my bike in the bath and they weren't too happy with that.

 

The joys of living with other people.

[CyberSakkie]

Same thing happened to my wife. Back brakes. Sent it for a bleed, and it was worse afterwards. Turns out there is a stop valve of some sort, which leaked, and the mineral oil got onto the pads. Thanks to Cyclelab Nelspruit who picked this up when we sent it for a second bleed (which was not required). They only changed the pads.

[SiriS]

Had C1. Had problems. Bought XT. Have no problems. #justsaying

[kennyg]

I have used Formula almost exclusively for 5 -8 years now, I have had XX and XTR brakes( new gen), and have always gone back to Formula. Most people don't want brake modulation and like the feeling of on and off brakes. Formula offer that, the new gen shimano is close.

 

The bleed works best upside down, for the primary bleed , as generally the master picks up air against the plunger. I saw that when I was servicing, a bubble kept forming on the master. Shake it off and your formulas don't give trouble. 

 

I use an adapted avid bleed kit.

[Shepherd]

I have used Formula almost exclusively for 5 -8 years now, I have had XX and XTR brakes( new gen), and have always gone back to Formula. Most people don't want brake modulation and like the feeling of on and off brakes. Formula offer that, the new gen shimano is close.

 

The bleed works best upside down, for the primary bleed , as generally the master picks up air against the plunger. I saw that when I was servicing, a bubble kept forming on the master. Shake it off and your formulas don't give trouble. 

 

I use an adapted avid bleed kit.

 

Great tip!

 

Thanks I will tune my bike shop about that...

 

 

Scratch that I will get a bleed kit and learn it myself...

 

But will still pass this tip on

[Trackz]

I recently rode W2W with Formula brakes. They went soft every day and had to be bled every evening. Have never had this problem in 10 years with Shimano. I have boiled brake fluid on XTR's without a notice in performance. (I'm a nervous descender so good brakes matter to me).