Post on 04-Jun-2018
8/13/2019 How Bleed Avid Elixir Brakes
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Remove the relevant wheel and brake pads, put them safely
away from any brake fluid to prevent contamination. Insert
the bleed block (supplied with bleed kit) between the pistons.
Turn the
bite point
adjuster
fully clockwise if
your brake has this
feature. Set the reach
adjuster to a middle
setting so not all
the way in or out.
Expel all visible air from the
syringe until a small amount
of fluid is expelled as shown.
Lock the hose clamp.
Half fill one syringe
with Dot 5.1 fluid.
02
01
0304
BleedAvid Elixirbrakes NEED TOKNOW
O TIME TAKEN
20-40min
per brake
O SKILL LEVEL
Medium
OMONEY SAVED
Around 20
per brake
O GOT INTO
TROUBLE?
Follow the guide
and you should
be fine, but if in
doubt head to
the LBS brakes
are an important
safety feature!
GET MORE
Watch a videotutorial by scanning
this code, or
by visiting
bit.ly/13feXxB
YOUR
EXPERT
AL VINES
A shop mechanic
for 13 years, Al has
been there and fixed
that. He owns 10
bikes and says his
least favourite job is
sorting out internally
routed cables.
If your brakes are getting
spongy, it may be time todrain and refill them
TOP TIPDot fluid has a shelf life
check its use-by date and
always use an unopened
container. Old fluid will
have absorbed waterfrom the atmosphere
and have a much lower
boiling point
TOOLS FOR THE JOBO Avid bleed kit and Dot 5 .1 brake fluid
Hydraulic disc brakes depend on the
incompressible nature of brake fluid to
function properly. Over time though,
air can creep into the braking system
to cause excessive lever travel, and a
spongy feel. Bleeding the brake is the answer.
Brakes filled with Dot brake fluid should be
bled annually as this removes any contaminants,
which can cause loss of performance and
corrosion. This will help them to last longer
and work better.
Heres a great tip for detecting the need for a
bleed on an Elixir brake. Firstly, get the bike up
on the back wheel with the front wheel straight
up in the air and then bounce the bike up and
down on the back wheel gently while pulling
both brakes on and off. If theres air in the system
it is encouraged to congregate at the highest
point (the levers). After 20 seconds or so the
need for a bleed will be apparent if there is a
marked increase in lever travel. If youve bled
your brakes recently you may get away with just
a lever bleed attach a half-filled syringe to the
bleed port in the lever and follow step 12.
Remember to always use the correct fluid
for bleeding; Avids Elixir brakes all use Dot 5.1.
Avids bleed kit is essential for this procedure and
will set you back 40-45. We would recommendthe more expensive
Pro version.
H O W T O
98 PEU SEPTEMBER 2013
WARNINGDot fluid is pretty evil
do yourself a favour
and wear gloves and eye
protection when
working with it
w
he
fr a
e
br
up ie
to p ve
ith lee
co a
kit)
ut t
nati
een
8/13/2019 How Bleed Avid Elixir Brakes
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Pull on the plunger to create a
vacuum and tap the syringe with
an Allen key or similar. Youll see
the fluid de-gas as bubbles collect at the
top. Do this for 20-30 seconds and then
open the hose clamp and repeat step 4.
Remove the bleed port
screw from the caliper
as shown. Screw the
half-filled syringe into the port
and open the hose clamp.
Open the hose clamp on the caliper syringe and push fluid from the caliper syringe
to the lever syringe until most of the fluid has been transferred as shown. Lock the
lever-end hose clamp first, then the caliper.
Remove the caliper syringe
and refit bleed port screw.
Douse the caliper with
water and wipe off with a clean rag.
Create a vacuum in the lever
syringe by opening the hose
clamp and pulling the plunger
out. Flick the lever gently to encourage
bubbles out of the system. Remove the
lever syringe and refit the bleed port
screw. Douse with water and wipe off
with a clean rag.
Remove the bleed block and
refit the pads. Push the padspacer (other end of bleed block)
between the pads to ensure proper
clearance. Refit your wheel and
youre all done.
Secure the brake lever to
the bar using an elastic
band/toe strap/zip-tie.
Create a vacuum by pulling the
plunger out, hold it in the position
shown while tapping the caliper
with a non-marring object to release any
trapped bubbles. Gently push the plunger
back down and repeat until the caliper is
free from air. Lock the hose clamp.
Remove the
bleed port
screw from the
lever, attach the empty
syringe, unclamp the
lever and ensure the
hose clamp is open.
06 10
11
12
13
07
08
09
05
TOP TIPDot fluid is
hygroscopic so can
be cleaned up with
a thorough dousing
of water
TOP TIPIf the fluid expelled from
your brakes is especially
dirty its a good idea
to bleed them a couple
of times to flush out all
the gunk
SEPTEMBER 2013PEU99
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