Shimano Ultegra R8170 vs R8070 Disc Brake Caliper

[@Road7star]

Was looking for this exact information.. Putting the 8170 caliper to get the 10% more clearance with 8070 shifters..thanks a bunch..

[@kaybaumann9696]

Is there a bigger gap between brake pad and rotor on the new 8170s to prevent disc rub? I heard it somewhere, that they changed the design of the piston seals, so to create a bigger pull back when you are off the brake. Would be nice if someone could confirm or disprove this. If true this would acctually be worthwhile upgrade for my 11 speed groupsets. Great Video btw!

[@garysmith70]

I managed to find the new R8170 caliper I shall be following your videos how to bleed etc...Thanks for taking the time to do these videos

[@dakalla]

Also the grx series are basically the same. br-RX810 is with ceramic pistons, br-rx400 with resin pistons (like the new r8170). In terms of brake power, modularity and clearance they are exactly the same. Theres only some minor grams difference in weight. The br-rx400 you can find really cheap sometimes and some might even prefer the looks of it.

[@glennoc8585]

If you want ultegra 8000 series and are having trouble finding them you can use the non name series that preceded the ultegra. I think it's R785 or R685. They're essentially the same think just a slightly different aesthetic. The 105 calipers are only a few grams heavier and work the same i know this is as I bought one until i could get a new ultegra caliper.

[@JektorII]

Amazing. Just what I needed.

[@jamesgoss-cycling3433]

I wish I'd seen this before I built my bike. The bolt had seized and with the flat head screwdriver fitting that appeared to be as strong as Swiss cheese it's rounded off despite my best efforts! Tried everything to get it out but no joy so needed a new caliper 😬. Thanks for the video comparing and clearing up the compatability of the r8170 with the old 11 speed ultegra shifter. Really helpful in sorting a replacement 👍

[@durexyl]

If you want to remove the bolt, just drill it through and replace with a stainless MTB version (a bit longer, but works fine). Happened to me on almost all 8070 calipers. They probably use magnesium or some alloy that is very soft and reactive, so pretty much "grows" together with the caliper body. Cleaning the thread with a tap helps too.

[@ranxxerox6407]

@@durexyl HI same thing happened to me stripped head and tried pliers which is a waste of time. can I ask what size drill bit did you use? and was it for steel? Why did you need to replace with MTB version? thanks

[@durexyl]

@@ranxxerox6407 hey, I think I used something fairly thin, maybe 2 mm, HSS with TiN coating (Dormer, I believe). Better do it once well than screw up multiple times 😅 the MTB pins are made of stainless steel and have a hex socket, not the rubbish flat slot that nobody serious uses on bikes anymore... they don't corrode and won't seize up in the caliper.

[@trentonbricken2731]

Your videos are great. Can you do one on how to adjust the brake pad alignment?

[@FreeToCycle]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6evnJ1_bJ6Ue7s

[@brettsta72]

Amazing video. Quick question for you. If swapping from 11 to 12 speed Ultegra di2, do you think the hydraulic hose length will be fine at the shifter end to basically just plug and play? Hoping it won’t need marginally longer hoses. Thanks.

[@arthurd6495]

Excellent. Thanks

[@roneysilveira7606]

Very good explanations, thank you 👍

[@sephirohmoto]

hi , i have an existing BR8070 and im planning to get the ST 8070 (12speed). Do I need to replace my BR8070 to BR8170? thanks

[@MrPipeta89]

​ ​ @Free To Cycle could You answer that question :)?

[@mesharihala6428]

@Free To Cycle could You answer that question :)?

[@AnthonyGilliland]

Very informative. Interesting that Shimano advertises 10% wider pad clearance decreases the chance of rotor rub. Your video pretty much dismisses this claim entirely.

[@SimT8]

Hi I have the r8170 and find that when riding and the brakes are released the pads rattle due to the fins. There are videos on this faffing around with the springs but are you aware of another fix or alternative pads of equal or better quality without fins that would work as well? Thanks

[@tstark05]

What about new levers 8170 with old ultegra 8070 brake calipers? Also are the new 8170 levers di2 wired compatible (11 speed)

[@islubio]

Seems like the clearance is the same. So I can just use my old bleed blocks for the new r8170 calipers?

[@troy45uk]

Be curious to see if the new Dura Ace 9270 calipers are compatible with the earlier Ultegra shifters etc, they’re one-piece calipers compared to the Ultegra 8270’s

[@stuartdryer1352]

Shimano claims the 8170 has 10% more clearance between pads and rotors (so less rub), but your video makes that seem impossible.

[@deserthead75]

Anyone know if the new callipers suffer less brake rub than the old ones?

[@redtop-d6630]

shimano says 10% more clearane on the R8170

[@harrybbbb]

Should the 8170 3mm bleed hex port be really tight ie seemingly impossible to move. I’m struggling and worried about using too much force and stripping it or breaking it.

[@Robtal77]

hello, does anyone know are brake caliper ultegra r8070 are compatible with shifters ultegra 8170 ?

[@ollysessions]

Hi, is the front mounting plate interchangeable between the two calipers? I’ve an old plate I’m hoping to reuse with my new calipers. Thanks 👍🏻

[@Barrygee]

I’ve noticed that on my 8170 calliper one of the pistons come out far further than the other….is that normal or do you think one might be sticking?

[@gellertsamel9105]

Hi! I'm planning to upgrade my 105 R7020 mech groupset to the new 105 di2, and I want to keep my old calipers and discs. Are calipers and hoses compatible with the new system? Thanks!

[@FreeToCycle]

Yes!

[@gellertsamel9105]

@@FreeToCycle Thank you so much for the quick answer!

[@AG17_1]

Good video, especially to see you test the new calipers on old shifters as Shimano does not officially say they are compatible (they do say new shifters are compatible with old calipers). All a bit irrelevant really, well in UK at least, as stock of anything 12sp is as big of a joke as stocks of 11sp. Would hate to buy a bike with new 12sp Shimano, come off and break a shifter. Your new bike could be off the road for weeks while you try to find a replacement.

[@peterweatherby8816]

I thought Shimano increased pad-to-rotor clearance by 10%!

[@FreeToCycle]

Doesn’t look like it to me!

[@peterweatherby8816]

@@FreeToCycle I suppose they must have done something to be able to legally make the claim, but apparently it's so minute/tiny that even a detail-oriented mechanic such as yourself doesn't see it! I'm going with your assessment, not their marketing claim. Thanks for this and all your other great videos!

[@_shaqz_]

I think the clearance is generated by the retraction of the psitons. Maybe the psitons seals are different 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MrPipeta89]

@@FreeToCycle can I use old br-r8070 with new ST-R8170 shifters ?

[@robgullen]

Excellent video for an issue I have with a customer's bike - retaining pin/bolt in a BR 8070 is seized - any tips/ideas for removal please? [I think he's already burred the flat-head bolt :-( ]

[@arthurrussi7760]

Hi Rob, I had the same issue few weeks ago. Took it to a bike shop and their only solution was to replace the caliper. I took the bike back home and with a lot of patience, I drilled thru the old bolt, managed to removed the left over and replace it with a split pin. I noticed that some of the older calipers used to come with a split pin.

[@durexyl]

Drilling through works, bike shops probably won't bother (unless you have a friend there). Too much work... Use stainless MTB pin instead (a bit longer, but works fine).

[@zedtony8110]

Are the bolts interchangeable, if you want the new hex head bolt

[@FreeToCycle]

Yes!

[@zedtony8110]

@@FreeToCycle thanks

[@sebastianvalencia198]

@@FreeToCyclewhat would be the part number?? Thank you in advance 🤙🏽

[@pinoyxbox]

Does the r8070 caliper work on the r8170 sti?

[@FreeToCycle]

Yes!

[@pinoyxbox]

@@FreeToCycle omg thank you!! All i need is just the shifters as i already have the r8070 calipers and hose from my current build and much cheaper too!

[@tombolo22]

So no more ceramic pistons?

[@redtop-d6630]

R8070 = ceramic piston R8170 = resin piston

[@garysmith70]

The main difference is you can`t buy the R8170 anywhere in the UK