Duckcm18 wrote:
In any step by step instructions or video on how to bleed brakes I have never seen this mentioned, where did you get this from?
Opening the bleed nipple a little while pushing the pistons back is easier than opening the brake fluid reservoir (you usually have to move the brake lever to ensure the reservoir is level) plus you run less risk of pushing any dirt particles that may have got passed the piston seals back up the hose, which can then move down and foul everything up later. If you fluid level is low you risk sucking in air by opening the reservoir. A lot of people just bleed their brakes every pad change. I suppose it depends on what pads you run though.
How to bleed brakes depends slightly on what brakes you have. Bleeding Shimano ones general involves opening the bleed nipple and reservoir and refillig/draining the fluid via the reservoir, pumping the lever until no more bubbles appear in the bleed tube.
Avid's and others:
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/arti ... kes-21800/Shimano and Hope:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/w ... akes-21609