Disc brake adaptors WTF HELP

I'm attempting to mount SLX pre bled disc brakes, which are post-mount calipers, onto my new Brother Kepler, which is a flat mount frame.

I may end up changing the calipers to XT flat mount ones which, as I understand it, are compatible with my SLX levers and cabling a, but first off I've bought the Shimano adaptors and am going to use the post mount calipers...

The adaptors came from SJS and have some BAFFLING gubbins in the box. My questions are as follows...

1) what the fuck is with these wires? The bolts supplied for attaching the adaptors to the frame come with a little bit of silver wire, and there is holes running laterally through the hex head. You are supposed to somehow thread the wire through both bolt heads and this stops them coming loose. I've also photographed the instructions and I can't make head nor tail of it MYSTERY SOLVED BY @pacef8 and @Chak

2) the rear adaptor kit also had this wire, but has more wierd stuff. What is that little plastic thing that says 'bolt length selector'???

3) the supplied bolts for the back adaptor are too long such that they go through the frame and adaptor and protrude too much to allow the caliper onto the adaptor, am I supposed to hacksaw these bolts down?

4) my SLX brakeset came all pre bled and pre cabled but didn't come with the bolts to attach to the callipers to the frame (or in my case to the adaptors). Do I just need any old M6 hex head bolt? or is there something special I need for this?

3 Attachments

The wire wraps around the threads after.

I still don't follow!

Don't bother. Just bolt them on. The wire is generally used as a safety redundancy. Used in a lot of applications. Sporting equipment like bikes and cars being one.
Stops bolts backing out.

Ahhhh I see, I can't imagine the technique to get it wrapped so neatly like that. Maybe some loctite is worthwhile instead?

Well that's that mystery solved, several question still remain unanswered though... Who's next?

Maybe some loctite is worthwhile instead?

Wouldn't bother, just torque well.

Bolt length selector answers the question after that. You're supposed to use these and the little nubbin at the end is what you use the length selector for.
Shimano can't accommodate all chainstay thicknesses so they give you that to give an accurate estimate of the right bolt length you need.

Try use a washer if it's a tad too long. I've never found it an issue to use the non OG bolts, so long as it's torqued well. Nice to have the original so you can put the safety pin through the caliper to bolt though.

Interesting, I think I understand.

So those special flatmount bolts should have come with the adaptors? But given that what I'm bolting to the frame is not a flat mount callipers but actually an adaptor, I don't know if you would still be able to access the end of the bolt in order to use the pin, does that make sense?

2 Attachments

looks like @snottyotter 's floss

I've never flossed.

Lock wire pliers, lock the wire in the jaws then hold the knurled bit and pull backwards the pliers spin.
I have a pair I used on my motorbikes

1 Attachment

Yeah you don’t have to, just find the appropriate length bolt and tighten that sucker well. It’ll be fine.

Also bolts come with the calipers, not adapters.

@amey for what, his ass crack??

I floss that.

I see, well my adaptors came with the bolts pictured, and my callipers didn't come with any bolts at all!

But do you think I still need those special bolts to attach the callipers to the adaptors?

Really? New pre bled system without bolts? Odd that.

Nah you don’t need those special bolts, anything will do really as long as it threads enough.

@snottyotter mmm, chocolate flavoured laces

Post mount use M5 bolts, the flat mount frame to adapter ones are M4, just use whatever is the right length and size.

m6 and m5....

Thanks everyone. I've managed to get everything attached...

My pre bled front brake doesn't give any braking until the lever is basically touching the bars, does this mean I need to bleed them? Or is there an adjustment for this? Is this what everyone means by spongey?

(I've obviously adjusted the dial that increases/decreases the distance lever - bars, but it's basically travelling too far and not braking enough)

Try using the brake a couple of times. The pistons should adjust a bit out (maybe...) and engage sooner

Yep, sorry, long day.

Funny that. I do that all the time. In my head I know the sizing, but an M5 just looks like an M4 for some reason. I think I just associate it with the corresponding allen key.

Yup, I do the same until I think about it, which I didn't.