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Answered Swap Tektro brakes for Shimano with existing hose?

Rob Rides EMTB

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Hi,

I have Tektro brakes on my Rail 5 but would like to swap them out with some Shimano M6120 brakes.

Both use mineral oil. Would I be OK to use the same hose? Will change fittings / olive etc. Anyone experienced swapping brands but using same brake hose?

cheers
Rob
 

RustyMTB

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Provided the brakes take the same diameter hose which I think they do - 5mm in each case & you're not mixing DOT & mineral then yes, should be fine. I've redone brakes a few times & recycled the hoses without problems. Usual caveats - brake & hose condition, safety critical components etc.
 

Rob Rides EMTB

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Provided the brakes take the same diameter hose which I think they do - 5mm in each case & you're not mixing DOT & mineral then yes, should be fine. I've redone brakes a few times & recycled the hoses without problems. Usual caveats - brake & hose condition, safety critical components etc.
Cheers - brand new bike / replacement brakes etc so should be good...
 

Paul Mac

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Hi Rob, yes you can use the same hose if it uses the same fluid.
In your case with the rail, I would definitely use the existing rear hose as its an absolute bitch to change on the rail, motor out and everything.
 

Paul Mac

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Hmmm. Seems Tektro uses 5.5mm hose and I can’t get the olive on ?
I changed my gear cable inner a few days ago.
The motor also has to be dropped for this.
There is absolutely no room under the motor for all the cables, brake line and gear cable.
I had the motor in and out three times before I could get it not pinching a cable somewhere!
 

Rob Rides EMTB

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Well that took a lot longer than expected!

dropped motor out, battery and messed around for what seemed like an eternity fishing that damn Shimano brake hose through the frame.

Now running Shimano brakes (need a good bleed though!)
 

TR5_20

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Nov 22, 2020
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Well that took a lot longer than expected!

dropped motor out, battery and messed around for what seemed like an eternity fishing that damn Shimano brake hose through the frame.

Now running Shimano brakes (need a good bleed though!)
You’re not hanging about making the changes to the new bike! Very useful for others to see what you're doing, so thanks for the info.

For future reference, I’m interested to learn what’s involved in dropping the motor out of the Rail - and, more importantly, how awkward it is to put back correctly! :)
Did you do a video or take pics of the process?
 

RustyMojo

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Oct 30, 2021
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Sorry to bring an old thread up. Has anyone managed to route the rear hose through the frame without dropping the motor? I have some XT8120’s to fit. Plan was to try and chase the hose through using the old reverb hose joiner barb with a section of old hose. Understanding I’ll need to loosen the bottom battery catch…should I just send it and give it a go? Or am I likely to be pissing in the wind?

finally anyone have any ideas the length of brake hose needed for the rear brake on a large rail? As I need to see if my hose will fit or I need to buy a new one!
 

Rob Rides EMTB

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Jan 14, 2018
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Sorry to bring an old thread up. Has anyone managed to route the rear hose through the frame without dropping the motor? I have some XT8120’s to fit. Plan was to try and chase the hose through using the old reverb hose joiner barb with a section of old hose. Understanding I’ll need to loosen the bottom battery catch…should I just send it and give it a go? Or am I likely to be pissing in the wind?

finally anyone have any ideas the length of brake hose needed for the rear brake on a large rail? As I need to see if my hose will fit or I need to buy a new one!
I tried and failed. Dropped the motor.
 

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