Brake Flex normal or braided? - Where to buy

[Avulon]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Flexible hoses always have some stretch in them as pressure is applied, even braided, but braided ones much less so. They provide slightly harder brake pedal, less spring, less give.

And potentially less feel. Although it shouldn't make a huge difference in a car braking system where the majority of the brake line is non-flexible.

Originally Posted by trikey

I’ve used goodridge for years on bikes and trikes, can’t recommend them highly enough.

Just fitted some braided on my bike - first time I've ever needed to change the brake lines on a bike - some improvement in braking force although I suspect has as much to do with a complete change of fluid and extremely thorough bleed. It's probable that a rebuild of the m/c will provide a better (stiffer) lever feel: too hard a lever (car or bike) and the brakes start to lack fine control and become much more on/off though.

If it's cheaper/same price as the standard and fit's well then I don't see any reason why not to fit it (on a car), If much more pricey then I wouldn't bother.

[mystabe]

Originally Posted by Avulon

And potentially less feel. Although it shouldn't make a huge difference in a car braking system where the majority of the brake line is non-flexible.



Just fitted some braided on my bike - first time I've ever needed to change the brake lines on a bike - some improvement in braking force although I suspect has as much to do with a complete change of fluid and extremely thorough bleed. It's probable that a rebuild of the m/c will provide a better (stiffer) lever feel: too hard a lever (car or bike) and the brakes start to lack fine control and become much more on/off though.

If it's cheaper/same price as the standard and fit's well then I don't see any reason why not to fit it (on a car), If much more pricey then I wouldn't bother.

That's a great overview in my opinion, personally I like more on/off braking ( it never actually really is once you get used to it) as I enjoy driving and braking is just as important as accelerating - probably more so actually. If you're just cruising about though it's probably something you don't need to pay extra for as it will annoy you.

[clf]

I have braided ones waiting to be fitted, and chose braided ones after a scary experience with a non abs car years ago. At 50 a car pulled out on me, and hitting the brakes hard,they didn't lock, but rather the pedal sank a little more and more. This was actually lucky,as I retained steering and was able to swerve.

With no evidence of leakage, it was suggested that the 5 or 6 year old lines had ballooned to give the sinking pedal. They did feel soft to touch .

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[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by clf

I have braided ones waiting to be fitted, and chose braided ones after a scary experience with a non abs car years ago. At 50 a car pulled out on me, and hitting the brakes hard,they didn't lock, but rather the pedal sank a little more and more. This was actually lucky,as I retained steering and was able to swerve.

With no evidence of leakage, it was suggested that the 5 or 6 year old lines had ballooned to give the sinking pedal. They did feel soft to touch .

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

I regularly static pressure test my hydraulics - engine running, parked, press the brake pedal just as hard as you can. That will be far more pressure than you could possibly apply on the road, so if the pipes and flexibles survive that, they will be fine on the road.

[olliewarwick]

Thanks Guys, that's all been very helpful. I'll investigate the options and go from there.

Ollie

[jim lee]

I have no experience of braided flexi-hoses on braking systems. However, a couple of years ago I fitted a braided fuel line to the carb. of my 1963 Rover 110. It was claimed to be resistant to ethanol in petrol. After a winter's layup I started the car and to my horror petrol was spewing from this hose. I could not see where the leak was coming from but clearly from several points along the hose's length Naturally I stopped the engine PDQ.

After removal of hose, and its braiding, I found he 'rubber' liner had deteriorated, was cracked, had the mechanical properties of a peeled banana (yes, try bending one and you will see what I mean) and snapped at several points along its length when bent. It had become hard, brittle and snapped easily

Although I cannot say the cause of this deterioration was ethanol in the petrol it did show that any failure of the liner is hidden from view until a leak occurs. On the strength of this experience I will not fit braided hoses in any safety related application.

Jim Lee