RedSide Custom Tools created a relatively simple gadget aiming to make mountain bike bleed service easier and less messy.
Old school bike mechanics, unfortunately limited by having just two hands, will remember fighting to properly adjust canti and caliper brakes before the 3rd Hand Brake Tool. Which went through many iterations before the death of rims brakes.
Well, now this is the third-hand tool for the modern hydraulic disc brake age. Strap your bleed syringe straight to the bar, and never worry about spilling brake fluid again…
RedSide Tools gen 3 Hydraulic Bleed Syringe Holder Kit
Tool maker Landon Campbell reached out to us to their new RedSide brake bleed assist tool. A third generation solution that started small and velcro a couple years ago, and is now much easier to use.
Created to solve the trouble of flopping syringes when bleeding mountain bike brakes. Bleeding brakes works best, accomplished while holding two bleed syringes vertical. 1 at the lever and 1 at the caliper. Allowing you to flush fluid through the brake line and push any air bubbles out. But it’s often difficult to hold both syringes vertically at the same time.
How To?
So, RedSide 3D-printed two adjustable universal fit holders that can strap to your handlebar, fork lowers, or chain/seatstay. Hold that syringe secure and upright – hands-free!
Interestingly, Park Tool (who made the old rim brake 3rd Hand Tools I remember using in days past) also includes a pair of adjustable syringe holders in their complete Brake Bleed Kits. But they are short and proprietary. No help if you are using any of the standard bleed kits that the brake manufacturers sell.
Tech details & compatibility
RedSide’s Bleed Syringe Tool setup includes 2 elements, 3D-printed from a biodegradable BLA plastic. There’s the long holder to be used the bar and stays, with a tool-free adjustable arm to position the syringe in the ideal position. And a short fork holder, that secures a syringe to the fork’s lower leg. Both include anti-slip silicone pads & black rubber straps at each end to securely attach the syringe and fasten the setup to your bike.
The Hydraulic Brake Bleed Syringe Holder Kit is officially tested and compatible with Hayes, Formula, Magura, Shimano, SRAM & TRP mountain bike brake bleed kits. As well, as some road/gravel brakes including Shimano & SRAM. But they also offer a compatibility guarantee and encourage experimentation. So, RedSide will fully refund your purchase, if their kit doesn’t work with your brakes.
RedSide Brake Bleed Tool – Pricing, availability & options
And you can buy them holders in 1 of 3 kit combinations. Cheapest & simplest is the $16 Handlebar Mount Only holder, which can also be adjusted to mount to a chainstay or seat stay. Next up, for $35 you get a Handlebar Mount and a Fork Mount which will hold 3 out of 4 syringes in a typical mountain bike brake bleed. (You’ll hold the 4th syringe in the process.) Or get the most complete setup possible for $50, including 2x Handlebar Mounts plus 1x Fork Lowers Mount.
Buy directly from RedSide Tools ecommerce site, with free shipping in the USA. And guaranteed Christmas gift delivery for orders placed before the end of next week.
