Has anyone used the newer Shimano brake calipers that require the new Shimano low viscosity brake fluid with older Shimano brake levers? I know Shimano is against using the low viscosity fluid with older components, but wasn’t sure if it was really a safety/reliability issue or more a support issue for Shimano.
Generally when mixing and matching calipers and levers outside of manufacturer recommendations, it is best to use the mineral oil specified for the caliper. So go ahead and mix generations, but use the LV oil for the whole system.
The are numerous tech threads on places like MTBR and Vitalmtb of people mixing Shimano/TRP levers w/ Maven, Magura, DB8 calipers I have heard of very few instances where there any kind of safety issue. It either feels better than stock, or worse, or about the same.
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Thanks. That was my thought too. I couldn’t see how the new low viscosity Shimano oil would be so different that it would dissolve brake reservoir seals or magically flow through the seals like other forums have guessed would happen if you didn’t heed Shimano’s warning.
Colleague of mine is using the LV oil in his basic shimano off series 4 pot brakes on his enduro bike with 0 issues, maybe a slightly better feel. No serious injury nor death for couple months so far.
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100% less death is always a plus.
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