Reuse Barb

[ipenguinking]

I'm planning to replace a badly scrapped Shimano road lever tomorrow night. I visited a few LBS earlier today and none of them have new barb to spare. I know the new lever already have new olive installed so that's good. But can I simply reconnect the brake hose wo putting in new barb? How about if I want to shorten the hose a little. Can I reuse the barb assuming I can get it out?

[dudemanppl]

I've disconnected and reconnected levers with no ill effects afterwards, but YMMV. If it suddenly fails and you die, I'll go to your funeral.

[spdntrxi]

I've done the same, but not shortened..just disconnect and reconnect

[mikemelbrooks]

I'm planning to replace a badly scrapped Shimano road lever tomorrow night. I visited a few LBS earlier today and none of them have new barb to spare. I know the new lever already have new olive installed so that's good. But can I simply reconnect the brake hose wo putting in new barb? How about if I want to shorten the hose a little. Can I reuse the barb assuming I can get it out?

I have used a Dremel to grind away the hose from around a barb so I could reuse it, still alive!

[kode54]

I'm planning to replace a badly scrapped Shimano road lever tomorrow night. I visited a few LBS earlier today and none of them have new barb to spare. I know the new lever already have new olive installed so that's good. But can I simply reconnect the brake hose wo putting in new barb? How about if I want to shorten the hose a little. Can I reuse the barb assuming I can get it out?

The olive compresses the hose against the barb. You may be ble to reclaim the barb but you’ll have to cut the olive and cut the hose to release the barb. I don’t see any way of just saving the barb without sacrificing the olive.

I usually cut them off as close as I can and use a new barb and olive. I’m more surprised you can’t find any new olive and barbs.

[Nickldn]

I wouldn't try to re- use an old barb extracted from a hose. The barb prevents the olive crushing the hose and potential damage over time by supporting the hose from the inside, a bit like a steerer expander supports a carbon steerer tube and prevents the stem crushing it.

Trying to extract a barb and then re-inserting it into a new piece of hose is bound to lead to a problem with the structure of the hose over time.

It's simply not worth is in brakes, especially the front.

[ghostinthemachine]

I've reused barbs, many times, haven't died yet (or had any leaky brakes).

Sometimes they snap though, and i do have a small stock of spares.

[Nickldn]

I've reused barbs, many times, haven't died yet (or had any leaky brakes).

Sometimes they snap though, and i do have a small stock of spares.

You're a braver man than me.......I just wouldn't risk it for the sake of a cheap barb. Disk brakes can be hard to judge, there's quite a few points where the system can deteriorate (pad contamination, lazy pistons, cylinder seals, air in the hoses, etc.). Would prefer to eliminate as many as possible.

[ipenguinking]

Finally I found them at local REI. And it seems like they have bunch of them sitting in the part bin.

[mathemagician]

You can buy a bunch of about 30 for about a fiver on ebay...why bother trying to extract an old one unless you're stuck in the middle of nowhere trying to bodge together a solution?

[ipenguinking]

I wonder how good are those non-Shimano barb and olive? I see them available on Amazon for much less. Next day delivery too.

[kode54]

I’ve never had any issues with them. Seems like they’re made very close to design if not exactly. Works as Shimano OEM.

[ms6073]

Finally I found them at local REI. And it seems like they have bunch of them sitting in the part bin.

I purchased them from Amazon BH90 Brake Olive and Barb - 12 PCS Brake