MTB Brake hose

[Irvin85]

The brake hose used on Hydraulic brakes. is it one size fits all? 

For instance will a hose used on a Shimano break work on a set of Formula brakes? 

Asking for a friend who is struggling to get hose for his Formula brakes in Stellenbosch.  

[BaGearA]

Yes and no 

 

You might be able to find the appropriate hose at a hydraulics shop but the ends need to be crimped on in about half the cases. 

 

Don't know about formula sorry 

 

I'm running Sram hoses on my hopes but the fittings screw on and I just cut off the crimped fitting when I bought the hose 

[Martin PJ]

Formula is brake fluid, so probably Shimano won't work (mineral oil).

Try Avid which is also brake fluid, if the size is the same.

[Martin PJ]

I see Rapide website sells hose for the Formula and Avid brands, so they are compatible.

[thebob]

Get Stoked has spares. Depends on the model you are looking for, but have a look on this link:

Brake Accessories & Spares - Get Stoked

[Irvin85]

Thank you Gents. 

[Barry]

 

 

Hose in most cases has an outer diameter (OD) of 5.0mm and internal diameter (ID) of 2.1mm

The XT's use the BH90 hose, which has an OD of 5.0mm and ID of 2.1mm.

The RS785s use the BH59 hose with OD 5.0mm and 2.5mm ID (I think? can't find this answer, just know it's slightly larger than the BH90), however many have reported using the BH90s without issue.

The only deviation I can find are Tektro and Hayes brakes that use hoses with 5.5mm OD and 2.5mm ID

[Chadvdw67]

2 hours ago, Martin PJ said:

Formula is brake fluid, so probably Shimano won't work (mineral oil).

Try Avid which is also brake fluid, if the size is the same.

Formula Cura and Cura 4 brakes are mineral oil, not DOT fluid 

[droo]

Formula have a few different hoses, 2 of which have proprietary fittings swaged on to the end. Check which fitting is on the caliper end and send the photo to whoever you're ordering from so you get the right thing.

[Martin PJ]

42 minutes ago, Chadvdw67 said:

Formula Cura and Cura 4 brakes are mineral oil, not DOT fluid 

I guess formula make mineral oil and brake fluid brakes.

[Barry]

26 minutes ago, Martin PJ said:

I guess formula make mineral oil and brake fluid brakes.

https://epicbleedsolutions.com/blogs/articles/dot-brake-fluid-vs-mineral-oil

[DieselnDust]

3 hours ago, Irvin85 said:

The brake hose used on Hydraulic brakes. is it one size fits all? 

For instance will a hose used on a Shimano break work on a set of Formula brakes? 

Asking for a friend who is struggling to get hose for his Formula brakes in Stellenbosch.  

Which Formula Brake do you have and which Shimano Brake? There are details here that determines the answer 

[Swift01]

26 minutes ago, Barry said:

https://epicbleedsolutions.com/blogs/articles/dot-brake-fluid-vs-mineral-oil

Formula Cura brakes have mineral oil, I used to have a set. I think the older ones were the Dot

[Barry]

7 minutes ago, Swift01 said:

Formula Cura brakes have mineral oil, I used to have a set. I think the older ones were the Dot

Yes you are correct the Cura were the first from Formula to go mineral. 

[David Marshall]

I have only come across three hose sizes available as "bulk".

OD 5mm ID 2.1mm (Shimano BH90), Used in for most Shimano, SRAM and Formula.

OD 5mm ID 2.3mm (Shimano BH59). Used in Shimano and Magura MT. 

Hope has an OD of 5mm and ID 2,4mm

OD 5.5mm ID2.4 (Tektro).  Used in Tektro, Hayes and Promax.

As far as I know all are Dot and oil compatible as long as they are new.

Problem as pointed out above is the fittings which are usually crimped on and are brake specific.