Mixing Brake Oil, Adjustable Forks & Counterfeit Parts | Ask GMBN Tech 302

Welcome back to another episode of Ask GMBN Tech, where we try to answer all your complex, scary, niche, and technical questions about mountain bikes and MTB-related tech!

⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 - Intro
00:20 - Can I use Shimano mineral fluid in Magura MT7 Pro brakes?
01:25 - Why aren't adjustable travel forks like my RockShox Pike made anymore?
04:13 - Do high-engagement freehubs increase anti-squat and pedal kickback?
08:05 - Do rotor brands matter, or are cheap knockoff's okay?
10:01 - Is using CO2 for tires harmful due to its solubility in rubber, and why not use HPA?
12:04 - Any coil shock upgrade recommendations for a 2016 Canyon Spectral AL?

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[gmbntech]

Do you have a question for us here at GMBN Tech? Ask away in the comments, and be sure to use #AskGMBNTech for a chance to be featured! 👇

[feedbackzaloop]

You see, suspension manufacturers realized quite soon, why make forks with adjustable travel when you can sell two different forks and boost frame manufacturer's sales who you are an OEM for.

[andymakarewich]

Owen’s insight is the best part of GMBN Tech

[WHTFSayonara]

LHM and LHM+ oils have been used in shimano brakes for atleast two decades. Without any downsides. Works in summer, winter and downhill riding. I assume the same mineral oil can be used in any other mineral oil brake.

[niesmiesznymontazysta]

yeah im using citroen lhm plus mineral oil for power steering or something in my brakes. nothing bad happened in shimano brakes, in magura, and in shimano levers with magura calipers. i'm using it a few years already

[Cg-fhre]

Great video but two disagreements: the canyon owner can just a coil shock and buy a progressive spring. Job done. Second: DVO for example told me every Teflon free oil with same wt is ok for their shock. Asked if I can put my Fox oil in, yes, but not maxima plush from RockShox

[feedbackzaloop]

#AskGMBNTech not just a follow-up on mix-n-matching brakes and all, but in general: how can we oblige manufacturers post datasheets like we have in automotive, and is there a more definitive grade than ASTM with only 5 categories?

[snowshredlife]

on the canyon spectral coil question, my cf8 spectral came stock with a fox dhx coil. so yes you can run a coil no issue.

[joppek]

Well, you can still buy a Manitou Mattoc Expert (for example) that weighs in at ~1750 g and is adjustable between 110 and 150 mm of travel. I own one and it's a pretty great fork if you want to get away from the 2 big brands!

[graham]

Just because manufacturers say to use only their brake fluid doesn't mean that it should be so. Disapointed that Owen didn't think as an engineer and say exactly which special addatives manufactures specify are required. Spoiler - there are none. And the viscosity doesn't matter if fairly similar if at all. The viscosity of all the fluids is readily available - I know as I have data sheets for most of them.

[Themilkmanskid.]

I've always wanted to use mineral oil from the pharmacy in my brake lines, but they have what they call light mineral oil. I don't know if I should take that risk😄
I don't know if there is a such thing as normal or even heavy mineral oil. I'm too chicken to use anything other than the recommended by the manufacturer.
I must add that DT Swiss special grease is what I use on my ratchets(hugely expensive) and on running out of that stuff, and a warranty expired wheel, I'm going to try Park Tool HPG-1 straight up until something happens.🤷

[garygilbert]

I wouldn't rely on reviews on the auction site or the South American river, both these sites have tons of counterfeit SRAM rotors with positive reviews, they're easy to spot if you know what your looking for, selling sizes genuine centreline don't come in is one, having change out of a tenner is another, most fakes also won't have the bubble in the packaging.

[travisthurston]

#askgmbntech I have a Merida 120 with maxxis forekasters that are 2.35 wide. The new forekasters are 2.40 wide, but I fear the clearance in the chainstay will be too tight for wider tires. I live in Australia where it is generally dry, hard and dusty. Is there a rule of thumb I can use to choose tire width, maybe related to travel, or conditions? Thanks

[taylordarion]

#AskGMBNTech I have a nice enduro bike (Revel rail29) but would like to have a dh bike. Could i get more travel by changing the shock stroke and compensating for clearance by putting a 27.5" rear wheel? Then i’d put a dh fork upfront (with proper hub & everything) which would bring the bottom bracket higher. Obviously the new head angle (~62°) would void my warranty but at 130lbs (60kg) this isn’t a problem

[playgroundchooser]

As long as its from a reputable brand, hydrolic mineral fluid is all the same.
But Shimano, Mgurra, Hope, etc. make a healthy margin on it, so they say that you have to use theirs.

[TnFruit]

#askgmbntech i have a Cannondale Habt 2024 without LT. The only difference in the rear is the shock dimension. I cant find the shock size for the LT version, cause i want to upgrade, maybe to a Vivid, if possible. Now the EtE/Stroke should be 210/47.5. Can you help plz?

[MtHoodMikeZ]

Just use baby oil. Works in all “mineral oil” brake systems.

[brendanbriody]

#AskGMBNTech I am planning to convert a full Magura MT 5 to Shigura keeping the mt5 callipers and using Shimano Saint levers. I don't care about warranty but which fluid should I use in this case? Magura Royal blood or Shimano fluid?

[MtB_DrAgOn_O]

#AskGMBNTech I have a 2015 Rockshox Revelation RL so I know it's old but when I have correct sag and all that, I can use the first 2/3 of the travel easily but then it suddenly ramps up and I can't use the rest of the travel - I have no tokens. I also don't have enough money to get a new fork. Any tips? #AskGMBNTech

[adamh]

buy cheap buy twice i brought buklos floating rotas and after 200 miles they started to separate gave up and brought hope ones still going strong 500+ miles later