SERVICE TIPS

Replacement timing depends on the conditions you ride in, type of terrains, and riding style. Always better to replace the parts before it gets worn out.

  • Rear Derailleur Pulley

    If you hear abnormal noise as a result of looseness in a pulley, you should replace the pulley.

    Rear Derailleur Pulley

  • Cables (brake and shift)

    Cables (brake and shift)

    When?
    • Check with a professional mechanic at least once a year (depends on your riding conditions)
    • When increased friction, damaged
    Why?
    • Possibility of degradation
    • Dust occurred by friction
    • Gets rusty
    What happened if not replacing?
    • Cable disconnection
    • Troubles with shifting, braking
    Notes
    • Preventive maintenance is necessary
  • Cassette

    If the chain keeps coming off the chainrings during use, replace the chainrings and the chain.
    Products are not guaranteed against natural wear and deterioration from normal use and aging.

    Cassette

    When?
    • Chain skipping, poor rear shifting
    • Once in every 3 to 5 chain replacements
    Why?
    • Possibility of degradation
    • Dust occurred by friction
    • Gets rusty
    What happened if not replacing?
    • Shifting troubles occur and the wear of cassettes and chainrings is accelerated
    Notes
    • A key to cassette lifespan is keeping the chain clean and lubricated

Chain

You should periodically wash the chainrings in a neutral detergent. In addition, cleaning the chain with neutral detergent and lubricating it can be an effective way of extending the useful life of the chainrings and the chain.

  • Chain 1

  • Chain 2

  • Chain 3

SHIMANO Chain Wear Indicator

SHIMANO chain wear indicator allows you to check the chain wear accurately, easy and quickly in its unique way.
The checker measures chain length without clearance gap between roller and roller link plate by guiding the rollers in the same direction.

When?
  • TL-CN42 indicates the chain wear
Why?
  • Chain is worn out
What happened if not replacing?
  • Shifting troubles, acceleration of the wear on cassettes
Notes
  • Regular cleaning and lubrication make the chain life longer
  • SPD-SL Cleat

    Cleats wear out over time and should be replaced periodically. Cleats should be replaced when it becomes difficult to release, or it starts to release with much less effort than the when it was in new condition.

    Cleat

    Front

    Rear

    Section A

    SPD-SL Cleat

    Note

    If the yellow (SM-SH11) or red (SM-SH10) or blue (SM-SH12) portions of the cleats become worn, replace the cleats with new ones.
    Front: Replace the cleats when the black layer underneath the cleats are visible.
    Rear: Replace when section A in the illustration becomes worn.

  • SPD Cleat

    Cleats wear out over time and should be replaced periodically. Cleats should be replaced when it becomes difficult to release, or it starts to release with much less effort than the when it was in new condition.

    SPD Cleat

  • Brake Shoe

    The optimum efficiency of the Multi-Condition Brake System can be realized by using the brakes and brake levers in the recommended set. If the brake shoes have worn down until the grooves are no longer visible, they should be replaced.

    Brake Shoe

    There are two different types of shoe and shoe holder to be used in the left and right positions respectively. Slide the new shoes into the grooves on the shoe holders while taking note of the correct directions and bolt hole positions.

    When?
    • Before the grooves disappear
    • Check with a professional mechanic at least once a year (depends on your riding conditions)
    Why?
    • Sign of replacement
    • Possibility of degradation
    What happened if not replacing?
    • Not able to stop or control speed
    • Accelerate rim wear, cracks in brake shoes
  • Mineral Oil

    It is recommended that you replace the oil inside the reservoir tank if it becomes severely discolored. Attach a tube with a bag to the bleed nipple, and then open the bleed nipple and drain out the oil. You can operate the brake lever at this time to help the oil to drain out. After draining the fluid, pour in fresh brake fluid while referring to Technical Service Instructions “Adding the mineral oil and bleeding air”. Use only genuine SHIMANO mineral oil. Dispose of the waste oil according to proper country and/or state disposal regulations.

    Mineral Oil

  • Disc Brake Pad & Rotor

    If noise occurs during brake operation, the brake pads may have been worn down to the usable limit. Check that the brake system temperature has been cooled down sufficiently, check the thickness of the brake pad. If the thickness is 0.5 mm or below, the brake pad needs to be replaced with a new one. Consult a dealer or an agency.
    If the disc brake rotor is cracked or deformed, immediately stop using the brakes and consult a dealer or an agency.
    If the disc brake rotor becomes worn down to a thickness of 1.5 mm or less, or if the aluminum surface appears, immediately stop using the brakes and consult a dealer or an agency. The disc brake rotor may break, and you may fall off the bicycle.

    • Disc Brake Pad & Rotor 1

    • 2 mm

      0.5 mm

      Disc Brake Pad & Rotor 2

    If oil adheres to the brake pads after oil is added, or if the brake pads are worn down to a thickness of 0.5 mm, or if the brake pad presser springs are interfering with the rotor, replace the brake pads.

    When?
    • Pad material is less than 0.5 mm thick
    Why?
    • Sign of replacement
    What happened if not replacing?
    • Damage to a rotor (more expensive)

Replacement of the brake pads

Note:

This brake system is designed so that as the brake pads become worn, the pistons gradually move outward to automatically adjust the clearance between the rotor and the brake pads. Therefore, you need to push the pistons back to their original positions when replacing the brake pads.

If oil adheres to the brake pads after oil is added, or if the brake pads are worn down to a thickness of 0.5 mm, or if the brake pad presser springs are interfering with the rotor, replace the brake pads.

  • 1. Remove the wheel from the frame, and remove the brake pads as shown in the illustrations.

    For split pin

    Split pin

    Replacement of the brake pads 1

  • 2. Clean the pistons and surrounding area.

  • 3. Use a flat-shaped tool to push the pistons straight back in as far as they will go, while being careful not to twist the pistons. Do not push the pistons with a sharp tool. The pistons may become damaged.

    • Piston

      Replacement of the brake pads 3_1

    • Brake pads

      Split pin

      Pad spacer (red)

      Replacement of the brake pads 3_2

      • Install the new brake pads the split pin, and then install the pad spacers (red). After this, bend open the split pin.

  • 4. Depress the brake lever several times to check that the operation becomes stiff.

  • 5. Remove the pad spacers, install the wheel, and then check that there is no interference between the rotor and the caliper. If they are touching, adjust while referring to Technical Service Instructions “Installation of the calipers and securing the hose”.

Installation of the rotor

  • For CENTER LOCK type

    Rotor fixing lock ring

    TL-LR15

    For CENTER LOCK type

    Tightening torque: 40.0 - 50.0 N·m
    {350 - 437 in. lbs.}

For 6-bolt type
  • 1. Install the rotor and the rotor tightening plate to the hub, and then install and tighten the bolts.

    Hub

    Tightening plate

    Disc brake rotor

    Rotor fixing bolts
    (Hexalobular #25)

    For 6-bolt type 1

    Tightening torque: 2.0 - 4.0 N·m
    {17 - 35 in. lbs.}

  • 2. While wearing gloves, apply a force to the rotor to turn it in a clockwise direction. While doing this, tighten the rotor fixing bolts in the order shown in the illustration.

    For 6-bolt type 2

  • 3. Use a flat-tipped screwdriver or similar tool to bend the edges of the tightening plate over the heads of the bolts.

    Tightening plate

    For 6-bolt type 3

Cover with tongue (nose cap)

The covers with tongue that come with 12-speed and 11-speed rear derailleurs are there to keep the cables looking nice and cut down on the fuzziness. They are designed to be replaced with the cable, and every polymer coated cable we sell comes with a replacement cover with tongue in the package. File boxes come with a bag of them taped to the front.

Cover with tongue (nose cap)