{"id":46818,"date":"2023-03-02T16:00:13","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T15:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=718501"},"modified":"2023-03-02T16:34:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T15:34:17","slug":"mechanics-rejoice-shimano-has-finally-fixed-this-annoying-brake-flaw","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/mechanics-rejoice-shimano-has-finally-fixed-this-annoying-brake-flaw\/","title":{"rendered":"Mechanics rejoice! Shimano has finally fixed this annoying brake flaw"},"content":{"rendered":"

The one upgrade that has made Shimano 105 brakes better than ever\u00a0 <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 02 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Shimano has quietly updated the bleed port screw on its latest 105 Di2 shifter, finally solving a common flaw that has plagued its drop-bar shifters to date.<\/p>\n

Before now, the bleed port screw on Shimano drop-bar shifters was made of a metal that was about as strong as soft cheese.<\/p>\n

This was frighteningly easy to round off, and could turn a routine brake bleed<\/a> into a mind-numbing odyssey.<\/p>\n

Any mechanic who says they haven\u2019t rounded one off before is lying through their teeth.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
I never thought I\u2019d see the day.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The new bolt, which is currently seen only on 105 Di2<\/a> shifters, is made from an undetermined material that feels much stronger than the old bolt. I suspect it\u2019s stainless steel, but I\u2019ve asked Shimano for confirmation.<\/p>\n

While I\u2019ve only had the opportunity to remove and reinstall the screw on one bike, the new material feels far more durable, despite the fact I was using an average-quality Allen key<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The bleed port screw in all its glory.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Both Dura-Ace R9200<\/a> and Ultegra R8100<\/a> groupsets also use a new screw (Y0MX98020), but it\u2019s made from the same cheesy metal used on Shimano\u2019s 11-speed drop-bar shifters.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to upgrade your 12-speed Dura-Ace or Ultegra shifters with this new bleed port screw, which Shimano says you can do, the part number is Y0RM98020.<\/p>\n

Though it is not commonly stocked by major retailers, you should be able to special-order it from any good bike shop.<\/p>\n

Can I upgrade 11-speed shifters to use the new bolt?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It\u2019s sad news for 11-speed owners.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Unfortunately, if like me, you\u2019re running an 11-speed groupset, Shimano has confirmed you\u2019re stuck with the old cheesy screw.<\/p>\n

This is because the 12-speed drop-bar shifter screw is a slightly different shape that won\u2019t work with 11-speed shifters.<\/p>\n

Though I expect Shimano will roll out the new-style screw on all of its future drop-bar groupsets, it\u2019s unlikely Shimano will offer the older 11-speed bleed port screws in this harder metal.<\/p>\n

This is a great shame, because I would very much like to swiftly discard the older screws in my Ultegra R8070 shifters.<\/p>\n

What should you do if you round off a Shimano bleed port bolt?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Treat this bolt with care!<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you\u2019ve ended up reading this article because you\u2019ve rounded off one of the older-style bolts, don\u2019t panic \u2013 there may be a solution.<\/p>\n

After a recommendation from a former workshop colleague, I\u2019ve found good success using Wera\u2019s Hex Plus keys. These have a larger contact zone in the head and offer significantly more grip than other hex keys.<\/p>\n

Some hex keys, such as Park Tool\u2019s jewel-like THH-1 T-handle hex keys<\/a>, feature a clever extractor head that, if used carefully, can be employed to bite into a stripped head. However, these can be a bit hit-and-miss.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Wera\u2019s Hex Plus keys are almost worth buying for working on this bolt alone.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

You could also try using a similarly sized Torx key in the head of the bolt. This should provide additional purchase, although you\u2019ll want to be careful to avoid damaging the tool.<\/p>\n

As a last resort, if all else fails, you can gently tap a Torx key into the screw using a hammer. This effectively creates a new fitting to remove the screw. However, the screw will then be for the bin and you\u2019ll need to replace it.<\/p>\n

Shimano definitely wouldn\u2019t endorse this method though.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It\u2019s a wise move to take care when installing the bleed cup adaptor too.<\/span><\/figcaption> Kaden Gardener \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It\u2019s worth stressing that the threads in the shifter body are very delicate. If you don\u2019t carefully angle the bolt in perfectly straight, you\u2019ll cross-thread them.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve really mashed the threads it is, unfortunately, probably new shifter time.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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