8/13/2019 How Bleed Avid Elixir Brakes

1/2

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

2/2

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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