Fitting XT brakes!

Okay I'm putting xt brakes on my hardtail instead of the ****e Avids that are on it. The hose is routed through a few eyelets I suppose you'd call them on the frame so in order for the cable to fit through I have to disconnect the cable from the lever, fairly simple but I also need to take the little nut off and the little washer type thing that is on the end of the hose. So my question is, is it easy to put back on the little washer or do I need a new one or a special tool or anything?? Cheers for any help.

Hey John

Its straight forward.. but you'll need some new bits and probably have to bleed the brakes to finish the job properly..

To pass the hose through the cable guides you will have to cut off the brass compression olive at the end of the hose.. This cannot be re-used and you'll have to get a new one.. Be careful when cutting as there is a small brass insert, approx 1" long, in the hose under the olive, so you will need to cut off the hose about 1.5" from the end to be safe..

Only then can you slide the hose through the guides with ease..

You will need a new olive and a new brass insert..

Like these..




You may also need to bleed the brakes.. as you will have undoubtedly introduced air into the system.. although you may get away with it..

If you would have stuck with the far superior Avid's you can simply unscrew the re-usable insert, cut the olive off, and then screw the insert back in ready to be used again.. you will always need a new olive though..!

Nice post Gerry! What is it with Avid brakes? I have two sets and they never give me a moments bother but other people seem to have a terrible time with them?

the brass insert is 1cm long not 1". Shimano brakes all the way.

Cheers, thanks for that Gerry. The Avids I had on have been nothing but trouble since I got them, every couple of rides the lever stops springing back out from the bars and they have to be taken apart at the lever and insert a new little plastic thingymabob and then they're fine for about 4 or 5 spins!! Pieces of **** is all I have to say about them!!

Shut up you lickarse !!

I wish I had listened to my inner goober and gotten Shimano XT Brakes, instead of going for dumbarse whatchwmacallit yokey majigs!!

The new XT dual goober shifter/brakes are the shizzle and half the price of XTR!! My inner goober and lack of funds are making me buy these for my new race bike!

I don't know either Rich... I've had Avid's on all my bikes for the last few years and never had a single problem with any of them..!

Well jeez okay.. but I did say approx 1"... I was going from memory..

+1. Running a pair of Deore M555's since 2005 and not a moments bother. Topped up once maybe.

I've a set of 5 year old xts on my trail bike they are still spot on only bled them the once and still work flawlessly other than when I had to change the hoses after they were punctured. Stuck goodridge hoses on and been mint since then. We get more avid and formula brakes in for servicing than anything else. I wouldn't put avids on any of my bikes, I think the levers feel horrible.