rickbury1985 Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 Hi May seem a daft question but ive just read that you can use water instead of oil for the brakes, has anybody ever done this and does it actually work, other point aswell, if you are to use water what is to stop the inside of the brakes corroding with the insertion of oxygenated water. Can anybody advise or if they use anything other than water and oil. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onza pro series guy Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 loads of people do it!!! it works quite well, the brake returns quicker with water than with standard mineral oil. The main problem is that it can cause the piston in the leaver to swell, and can also cause leaks. If you have a warrenty, I wouldn't recomend doing it as it will void it instantly. Also with it being, quite chilly this time of year you would be best of running a water/anti-freeze mix to stop the water freezing in your brake, cracking the hoses and generally fudging the brake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostrider88 Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 Most of people here do use water, smarter use antifreeze though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickbury1985 Posted January 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 thats great thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swill Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 I've only had one water bleed and i wouldn't do it again. as mentioned alove piston swells up, resulting in new piston and royal blood. not to mention stopping you ride while you wait for replacement. ps I've been using maguras since about 98 on and off and have had around half a dozen pairs and only ever had problems with water. im sure there's a way to do it but why oil works just fine and unless you break hoses left right and center its hardly going to break the bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Had about 7-8 maguras with water, and 4-5 with oil. Some of the ones that had an oil bleed got given a water bleed. Every single time the water bleed was better, and didn't make a mess when bleeding it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bing Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 good thing with a water bleed is you can do it anywhere, if you know how to bath bleed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake. Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 good thing with a water bleed is you can do it anywhere, if you know how to bath bleed Or just take the bleed syringe with you on rides and you can get fluid from fountains, streams, shops, etc. Just way more convenient. (: Bath bleed is good for those without a syringe, could do it in a public toilet with a sink if you're careful about not letting the grub screw fall down the drain haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash-Kennard Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 De ionised water is meant to be best. But ive only ever used regular. Been fine for years. Just remember to lube up your pistons every once in a while. Ps. I dont know how the new ones behave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clerictgm Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 (edited) antifreeze. same as water but no problems. Edited January 29, 2013 by clerictgm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash-Kennard Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 antifreeze. same as water but no problems. surely you are not only using anti freeze? diluted with water at all? doesnt antifreeze eat seals if it isnt diluted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clerictgm Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 dillution affects only at freezing temperature. no damage to seals for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostrider88 Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 surely you are not only using anti freeze? diluted with water at all? doesnt antifreeze eat seals if it isnt diluted? It actually protects and lubes them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash-Kennard Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 dillution affects only at freezing temperature. no damage to seals for years. It actually protects and lubes them... fair enough! ive always heard the opposite. might be giving that a try at some point, cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolver Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Screenwash, not antifreeze coolant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
315r Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Shimano Oil works perfect. After lots of problems with lazy pistons using water I left it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxx Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Shimano Oil works perfect. After lots of problems with lazy pistons using water I left it. Yeah it's a good alternative for those who likes the feeling of water/antifreeze but wants to keep oil in the hydraulic system. It's of course thicker than water but thinner than Magura Blood. I had found a 1l bottle for about 13£ one year ago (cheaper than Magura Blood). Otherwise I noticed the other day that if you let a swollen piston air dry free it takes back its shape and it slides good again in the master cylinder. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
315r Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 (edited) Interesting Maxx. How much time do you let the piston drying? Edited January 29, 2013 by 315r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxx Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Maybe 24 hours I think ? It was just a "little" swollen, but enough to give bad return of lever ... Now the brake is ok ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 I always ran water never had many problems with it. I guess it depends - I used to buy everything off of here for 60p but maybe if I would have had a warrantee I may have felt differently. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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