How to install / Upgrade your ebike to Hydraulic brakes easily and affordably

[@ChrisBFerguson]

Excellent video. BH59 Olives and Barbs work with the braking system you sell.

[@nomadeusa]

Best video showing in details . Direct to the point . Thank you

[@theoldpcguy]

Great video! I'm upgrading my ebike motor to a larger size and I don't trust the mechanical brakes to handle it. I ordered a set from your website, I like to support helpful KZbinrs.

[@jamesharrison7114]

Is It easy to just replace the levers if you already have Hydraulic brakes? It could be worth it not having to fiddle with those magnets.

[@InventorZahran]

Specific levers will only work with specific brakes, so you'll almost always have to replace the whole system.

[@hillyseattlenarrowstreets6087]

Ali Express sells Hydraulic brake handles w/ Bafang cutouts for $18 each. It worked fine with my Shimano handles. Just unscrew the hydraulic cable at handle and connect it to the New handle.

[@stvsmith1791]

One of the best upgrades you can do. One finger braking all day. Hell yes! (Preached it to me young'uns "before you get it up to speed (x speed) you must first be able to stop safely." (From x+10% speed)

[@bobwalker2378]

I watch and check for JNO videos all the time. And I was actually trying to figure out if I am going to upgrade my e-bikes to hydraulic. I have Avid BB-7 mtn. cable actuated, which are "pretty good." BUT it's a cargo bike which hauls up to 400pds. The supplied hose for the rear is too short for a long John Yuba cargo bike. What type of hose would I use for Johnny's system? Are "universal hoses" truly universal? I'm new to hydraulic brakes, but I love the safer features!...Johnny's prices are much less than the Magura mt5e I was considering. I just had to LOL because heeeeere's Johnny dropping a vid on the very subject I was debating/researching on line myself. Proving that Johnny is not only awesome, but for me, a truly synchronized genius!

[@EBikeBuilder_]

i use avid bb7 mtb too, I've been trying to find something to convince me to switch. They take some physical force and more than 1 finger to actuate. But i barely have to fuss with them ever, and they work fine in the winter. 🤷‍♂ I'm sure hydraulic performs better, but I have been getting by with bb7 just fine

[@diarmaidok]

Nice I just got an electric bike with horrible mechanical disc brakes (Duotts C29). I upgraded the brakes to shimano MT200, then bought NFOX GT267 Hydraulic Ebike brake levers with built in magnets from Ali Express and the same red 2 pin wired connection my bike has for the hub motor shut off. I simply took loosened off the pipe with the roober boot, the barb and tulip still attached, from shimano brake lever and stuffed it into the NFOX one quick like you did in your video and it is sorted for less time and money that it would have taken to glue on sensors and magnets. It would probably work for other brands too.

[@Fubar684]

I’m trying to install brake sensors on my existing Shimano hydro brakes. The master cylinder shape is tough to get the magnets to line up and work properly. Do you sell in line lever/mc assemblies separately?

[@hillyseattlenarrowstreets6087]

Ali Express sells Hydraulic brake handles w/ Bafang cutouts @ $18 each. Just unscrew hydraulic line and connect to New handles.

[@Fubar684]

@@hillyseattlenarrowstreets6087 Thank you.

[@fireaza]

@@hillyseattlenarrowstreets6087 Can you clarify? Are you saying you can buy hydraulic brake levers that have the cut-off sensor off Aliexpress, disassemble them and Frankenstein them with Shimano hydraulic brake levers?

[@kunkakunkic774]

@@hillyseattlenarrowstreets6087 also interested? where? link?

[@supremeknowing7896]

Bro.. these are such usefull video's!

[@KeithAVass]

I ride a HP Velotecnik Scorpion FS20 for 50+kms every other day but then require Brake adjustments about once per week. I think it is due to recumbent trikes being heavier, especially when you have a Bafang BBSHD hanging off the main boom and a 20ah battery slung below the seat. After each brake adjustment by a bike mechanic, it is great for a while. Nice and "grabby" without much pressure, but then it starts to get soft and spongy and eventually even when gripped as hard as I am able to, it will not pull me up? What causes this detrimental change in pulling power? Not only is it dangerous but deters from an enjoyable ride. Someone suggested it was cable stretch but that would mean running out of lever distance which is not happening. One minute, I have a grabby brake which pulls me up fine, the next minute, it feels like it is not gripping the pad at all and just slipping??? Recumbent Trikes-especially with electric assist are much heavier than normal two wheelers. Should they not have a BETTER MORE GRIPPY TYPE OF BRAKE to compensate for that extra weight??

[@camperdude5241]

Can you use hydraulic brakes without glueing the sensors on, by just configuring your bafang mid drive on the pedal cut off sensor?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Yes, the motor will cut out once you stop paddling, but sometimes there can be a lag behind and sometimes it can accidentally engage if it senses pedal moving. So I would always strongly recommend installing some sort of brake based cut off as well.

[@camperdude5241]

@@JohnnyNerdOut Thanks. I bought a bike that already had the bafang 750w mid drive installed, and it doesn't have the brake sensors or gear sensors. The guy told me that he'd configured it using the USB device so that there's hardly any lag (like a fraction of a second) when you ease off the pedals. So far it seems OK, but I haven't done much riding yet.

[@reenigneesrevereht]

Just curious, where could I find replacement pads for these, or what model caliper could I search for? Looking to pull the trigger to convert my BBSHD rig's mechanical Shimanos!

[@xmateinc]

Most of these no name brakes use the basic shimano B01s-B03s pads.

[@cezrok5405]

What sort of axle nuts are you using on the rear of this bike ? Cheers

[@restorick2378]

Looks like a great kit! Can this kit be used to replace front brakes on a tadpole recumbent?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

I would think so

[@samsske]

Hi Johnny, Have you ever electrified a two wheeled recumbent Sam?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Yes. Same process just add a few extension cables

[@mtradad]

Johnny… I’m the dude in Mt that had the area flooding when we talked last year, anyway the project was put on hold until about 2 weeks ago. I know a waste right… Was hoping to get the bike working for a Glacier Park Visit but I guess it is not to be, having trouble (brake sensors) with Trek Roscoe… I will book a session after the 7th look forward to the helppppp. P.S I will have to get another kit as well lost 1 of the stupid magnets… 😎

[@va07]

Great informative video!

[@xmateinc]

For 90 bucks you can get 2 shimano mt 400’s. Just get the bafang brake sensor magnet. Ive seen so many of these no name hydros either just stop working or need constant bleeding. Me personally I like e-bikes that can use any brake. Makes it much easier to get nice brakes like the BR-M8120’s. Those things stop my 60 pounds ebike, with a trailer in tow at any speed. Amazon has prove that most people don’t actually care about quality.

[@DFX2KX]

Tue issues with magnetic sensors falling is still a problem, though. Used a set to adapt my combo lever/shifter controls (while no tourney 3x with the front derailur disabled), and even JB weld was hard pressed to keep the magnets on.gave up and bought a stand alone shifter for the rear and used the levers that came with the motor. Its a shame Shimano doesn't make an shine cutoff version of the mt400s that I know of.

[@xmateinc]

@@DFX2KX true that magnet is pretty hard to get to stay. I’ll still find a way to make it work though since Shimano Hydraulic’s are the best for longevity and maintenance.

[@czgunner]

Can I use something like this to upgrade my wife's Ride1up Core 5 with mechanical discs?

[@reenigneesrevereht]

Johnny, could you please consider making a video on how to bleed these? Didn't tighten the nut enough and popped the hose out D: All back together now, but suspect I should bleed it or add fluid now... (or what existing video would be useful? it seems pretty vendor-specific, but I can't find a brand name atm)

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Bleeding is pretty universal. I’m sure rj the bike guy has a video up on it

[@Bobster986]

This was a good video, but is there any advantage or disadvantages if you only install a hydraulic caliber for mechanical brake cables? Thanks for sharing 😊

[@SternLX]

You can't use a Mechanical brake cable on a hydraulic caliper. You use Brake HOSE on a hydraulic caliper. What an odd question.

[@Bobster986]

@@SternLXno it’s not. They make self contained hydraulic calibers that work with mechanical brake cables.

[@leonjohansson6542]

All work and no play. I miss your road/camping adventures.

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

Me too 😭

[@brittweir8844]

Great tips,

[@edrogers9530]

I did not know about these as an option. I ordered sensors as my project bike already has hydraulic. Do you sell just the lever kit or lever and the whole kit as one.

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

I sell them as fronts, rears or whole kit

[@terryhavelka4683]

Johnny, will your hydraulic kit work on a Hiboy P6 e-bike with a Bafang 750 W motor? Do you have a video on how to install the new rotors? I have never worked on bikes before so this will be my 1st attempt. The factory mechanical disc brakes on this Hiboy have been an issue since day 1. They are dangerous. Thanks in advance for your help.

[@SternLX]

Wanna tip that I've been using forever for setting Caliper spacing that gets it right every time? Save that step for very last. Bolt the caliper so it remains loose on the posts over the rotor, setup your brake hose and bleed. Last step... with a helper or a nice rubber band, clamp the brake handle down. This will clamp the pads to the disc and self center the caliper over the disc. Now tighten the caliper down. Release the brake handle and check clearance. 99.9% of the time it's perfectly centered. Your Welcome.

[@christopherdenham5273]

Can these be put on any ebike? I have a KBO Ranger.

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

No, but if they have the 3-pin Higo connector, it’s likely it’ll work.

[@winddrift03]

What about bikes that came with rim brakes? Anyone make a kit for them?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

With rim brakes, you are stuck with rim brakes unless you upgrade your system to disc, but that requires more work than most people are willing to do/spend.

[@OliverCarson]

Any information about what I need to buy to replace the hose on this kit, the rear brake is a little short on mine, it's quite a big bike and i routed it internally.

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

www.johnnynerdout.com/product-page/shimano-hydraulic-brake-line-sm-bh90-ss-2000mm

[@nycboy3761]

Hello, i have a zwft zip ebike, the connection has 2 pins, do you have breaks for it?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

You might want to email a pic to the shop. You can always custom wire something in

[@nycboy3761]

@@JohnnyNerdOut I messaged on Instagram with the pictures. Thanks

[@olegpetelevitch4443]

I bought some XOD brakes they come with 3 pin cut off ! The problem caliper bigger than on my frame .Is there any way to get spacers to reduce width ?? Thank you !

[@BigFarm_ah365]

That was the move right there Johnny, that's what I came to see. There's shit you can figure out and there's shit that is ancient knowledge that needs to be passed down in the traditional way. I didi it just like you said, only now I'm worried about the front, mine was 2 pieces the one I did just like you leaked and the one I did as a blank slate didn't. Yes I took the plug off, but I didn't slide the olive down the line, it didn't seem to fit over the plug so I plug, olive , plug, shove. Oh well, should find out soon enough, it's just some mineral oil assuming my mistake doesn't kill me.

[@codylinn9548]

What size are the tires on this bike?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

27.5x2.3 I believe

[@murderouswater]

These brakes are the best thing for your e-bike build period guys. Just but it and you won't regret it. And you'll be safer. Take it coming from 240 lb plus rider with a loaded rear rack set up and my backpack and work lunch. GET IT YOU DESERVE IT FOR YOUR SAFETY GUYS PEACE

[@andrepires4396]

Hey man, sorry to hijack this comment section, but what happened to your Versys X 300? Still ride it? Point me to a video about it after the “worst ride” to Denver? Cheers!

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

I had to sell it when I moved across country 😭

[@andrepires4396]

@@JohnnyNerdOut Oh. Such is life. Those videos are helping me decide whether the Versys X might be a good bike for me (although e-bikes are a more sustainable option and might also be a good fit for my leisure and transportation needs!). Thank you!

[@Pdeberar]

@johnny Are those 4-piston or 2-piston calipers? I have an eBike and it needs better brakes as it doesn't stop quickly if I needed it to. I tried Organic and Sintered pads, not enough stopping power. Currently installed with 180mm rotors and Tektro E350 brake systems. I am thinking to upgrade only the calipers to Shimano 6120 (4-piston) and keep the Tektro levels since they're E-Compatible. But wanted to make sure i'm headed in the right direction OR do I change to 200/203mm rotors?

[@JohnnyNerdOut]

These are 2 piston. 4 piston 203mm should be a great combo 👍

[@walkingshimano]

I have bought a few of those for clients, the Varstrom ones are junk. Caliper leak (like they forgot seals haha)

[@walkingshimano]

and bin the pads and fit known quality.

[@BlackWarriorLures]

I had no idea hydraulics could be so affordable.

[@eternalspring1034]

I absolutely hate hydraulic brakes on an ebike. They need maintenance way too often due to the weight and speed of ebikes ,its messy and good luck getting a drop of mineral oil off the brake disk. I was wondering if i can put regular brakes on my ebike. I dont know how the motor cuts off when i appy the brakes tho.

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

Well I guess my cable rim brakes need wheels with rotors now.

[@xmateinc]

And a frame with caliper mounts.

[@enterpriseles]

Sack the cameraman, I feel sick