Hey folks,
sorry if this isn’t exactly bike-related – but the contraption in the photos is kind of bike-based. I repurposed parts from my old dream bike (a Cube Flying Circus that didn’t survive a flooded basement) along with a folding ladder and a euro crate to build this off-road foldable wheelbarrow for hauling kids and random gear.
It’s part utility project, part little YouTube experiment (I can link it once it’s done, if anyone’s curious – still editing).
Anyway – here’s the issue:
I was trying to reuse the rear brake (Hayes Nine) and couldn’t get the hose out of the frame. I got impatient, grabbed a knife… and yep, cut it.
Turns out: not that easy to reconnect. 😅
I’d rather not buy a brand-new hose, since the whole build is made from salvaged parts.
Is there any way to fix a cut hydraulic line? I’ve seen some connector kits but wasn’t quite sure how they work.
Doesn’t have to be perfect – I’ve got feet for backup braking.
Thanks a ton in advance for any tips or hacks!
by Coffee81379
8 Comments
I am not aware of any real way to reconnect it. When attaching to the brake lever the hose has an insert, an olive, and a nut that crushes the olive which in turn crushes/locks the hose onto the insert. You will need to buy two sets of these to make a connection in the middle, plus whatever gadget connector. Alternatively you can buy a length of hose and two sets of hardware (olive, insert). I guarantee the gadget connector (if it exists) is more expensive than a new hose and also adds a point of failure.
Tldr: it would almost certainly be cheaper to do it the right way and also work better/last longer.
I think you would be best off buying a new hose if you cut the line too short, any repair kit is going to cost just as much as a hose and a new hose is going to be more reliable. If you want to keep it strictly salvaged parts, you should try to hit up a bike shop for discarded used hoses.
I like the build, very Beau Miles-esque
Practically speaking, no. It’s junked.
Yeah you can find some [coupler](https://www.ticycles.com/components/hydraulic-brake-line-coupler). I don’t know exactly what hose you use, so you might have to use other inserts that match your hose’s inner diameter
Given the price I would personnaly just swap the whole hose
There are all kinds of hydraulic and pneumatic fittings out there to do such a Job – I am sure one of these fittings cost more than a new hose – and would still require you to install olives & barbs on the cut section.
Yep, here it is.
https://www.ticycles.com/components/hydraulic-brake-line-coupler
Admittedly, the OEM hose is nicer than the hose they sell on Aliexpress, but I have used the cheaper EZMTB branded hydraulic houses on one of my bikes and it worked great for years until I retired the bike. The hose feels better than the really cheap awkward & stiff hose – which I have also successfully used.
the Hose ID / OD & fittings – the barb and olive (or banjo bolt fittings) – must be the same type to match your brakes. Some use the same hose as other makers ,different olive/barb types, and some use different stuff between models and production years. You need to research it.
I got a junk bike from a bike shop where the Hydraulic hose on this Giant hybrid went through a tiny solid mounting lug, and the shop cut it when they scrapped it (rather than merely unscrewing it) to remove the brakes – which I also got with a stubby bit of hose sticking out of the caliper. replacing the hose takes about 30 minutes, and then the bleeding can begin. the hardest part is seating the barb with the olive in the correct location without mutilating the hose. I often partially insert the barb, heat it up the barb end with a lighter, and then tap it into the hose while the olive is in roughly the correct spot. barb insertion tools work well but are fiddly.
with three meters of hose, you can mount it where it is best for the mechanism, make it less susceptible to pinching, or run the brake caliper right up to the handle, or handlebars on the towing bike and mount it on a bar-end stub (so you can unbolt it when the trailer is disconnected) to control the trailer brakes.
If you’re looking for salvage, Facebook Markeppace (or local equivalent) will have something
Buy another one the cable and housing are cheap. Are people this slow ?
I would just order a shimano mt-200 brakeset. It’s consistently sub 40$ and often found closer to 20$. Anything else you do to re hose or modify or reblead this one is going to cost more than a cheap mt-200 brake. They are reliable and almost always come pre bleed. The hassle alone makes it worth it.
Edit: [heres](https://ebay.us/m/y4SR0R) an example from ebay for 23$ and you have a fully functional brand new brake and no hassles