Shimano Cutting Corners? Deore & XT Disc Levers

Don't the new lines for the newer levers exit the lever with a straight fitting, whereas the old levers had a 90 degree connection?

incubus said:

Don't the new lines for the newer levers exit the lever with a straight fitting, whereas the old levers had a 90 degree connection?

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How much of a difference does that right angle make to the system mod/power/feel?

I'd say none. There is a 90 angle into the caliper. I was just questioning the compatability but I think you'll be ok. They wouldn't be threaded any differently. I do think that all shimano levers are identical.

I'm pretty sure they are indentical except for the color scheme. I think the Deore ones actually look nicer. The hosing is compatible. All shimano levers use the same hose connections. There are hoses for the XT's available with the old 90 degree banjo as well as a traditional straight out line.

joperio said:

I have a set of Shimano 555 Disc brakes. Looking at the lever specs of the Deore BL-M556 (silver that say Shim. Deore) and the XT BL-M756 (the silver or black version), they are exactly the same. Does anyone know if they are threaded the same way? I have a pair of Goodridge lines that are XT compatible, but if the Deore are the same as the XT, then I won't have to buy new levers to use the Goddridge lines on my new calipers. Anyone with any insight on this?

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The silver hoses for the earlier earlier M755 XTs used the 90 degree banjo at the lever and caliper end, while the later M756 XTs (both are the old 4 pot system) use one that comes straight out of the lever. I think the M756s use the cuttable BH61s hoses, but Shimano indicates that these now also fit the 755s, so you are probably Ok to use the Gooridge lines.

The Shimano service manual: http://bike.shimano.com/services/im...ake_Systems.pdf

has a compatability table for hoses, levers and calipers which might be some help. But it seems you probably need to look at a Goodridge chart to be sure.

Wombat

Paying too much

Shimano makes great products. It's too bad they jack up the MSRP on the XT disc levers even though they're the same thing as the levers that say Deore instead. I'm glad heavier competition, like the SRAM / Avid buyout, are on the way. I'm sure they're going to be a super player like shimano. If only they could speed up the Juicy 7 production... Oh wait, they're also working on an affordable Juicy 5. Dont tell them I told you.