Ultegra 8020 (shifter) and rs785 (calipers) compatibility...
 

Ahoy there, working on a new build...more details to be revealed shortly!

Frameset is post-mount, and I've got some rs785 brakes (also PM). If I run Ultegra 8020 (mech/hydro), can I run the rs785 calipers? I know the new 8000 disc stuff is all flat mount...

Thanks!
:banana:

You need BH90 hose and the SM-BH90 flange connecting bolt M9 - pn Y8RD98010


Currently doing 9120 levers to m9000 calipers and you'll need the new connecting bolt for the new levers. Match the hose to the caliper, per shimano, but bh59 will work too.

Hi Cliff,
Have you already set up the M9000 calipers? That is the one mountain caliper that is not designed for servo wave levers. I'm just curious how you like them. I had a set of M9000 calipers matched to M9020 levers and found them grabby. The modulation improved a lot when I went to M8000 calipers. I know not apples to apples but I am curious about your experience. Also, quick correction, Shimano recommends matching the hose to the lever. R785 and RS685 levers with BH59 hoses and R91XX and R80XX with BH90.

To the OP, if your levers don't come with hoses, the SM-BH90-JK-SSR kit comes M9 connecting bolt.

Thanks all for the amazing tech info!
 

I'm wondering if I'm just better off running the stalwart RS685s with my 785 calipers...

That having been said (upgrade-itis at play here) has anyone reviewed the 8020s as being better than the 685 shifters? Ergonomically, I'm fully satifisfied with the hood shape of the 685s, which I know some do not love...

Everything you said, I told the customer. Luckily it's in emails, so if they feel terrible, it's on him.

Shimano tech I spoke with yesterday said it'll work, but lever feel will be different, which is exactly what I told the customer. He did say, match hose to caliper when I spoke with him.

One thing to watch out for is that the banjo bolt itself is different on the caliper when compared to the one that comes with the hose kit, so use the one that came with the caliper.

Ahh, didn't realize it was for a customer. Sorry about that.

I wish Shimano made it clear and cautioned that there are two BH90 connectors. They make reference to it in the dealer manual, but I wish it was a little more explicit.

Well, the R8020 levers are about 150 grams lighter and have improved reach and free stroke adjustment. They also don't have the little bump on the underside of the lever body near the bar like the RS685 levers do. I say go for R8020.

Hmm...
 

150g is nothing to shrug at...and more refined design, I might have to give it a try!

First 'ride' report. After setting this up for a customer, by request, I must say the lever feel is fantastic using bh59 hose.

https://scontent-ort2-2.cdninstagram...10221312_n.jpg

https://scontent-ort2-2.cdninstagram...79384832_n.jpg

And here's that fitting we provided the part number for earlier: Left is new. Right is old.

https://scontent-ort2-2.cdninstagram...72806656_n.jpg

Nice. Thanks, Cliff. And my apologies regarding the topic of matching hoses to levers and calipers. I was mistaken. I was going by what one of the mods at the S-tec forum said.

https://us.v-cdn.net/5019841/uploads...xlt61ffgin.jpg

Great to finally see that table! I ordered the right items (still trickling in) but it was hard to figure what connected to what without having the bits in hand!

I'm doing the r685 levers to m9000 calipers. my experience is fantastic as well.

Compatibility Questions and Recommandations
 

Just when I start to understand disc brakes, I read new thread. Please forgive my ignorant questions below.

I am considering buying R9120 or R8020 levers with M8000 or M9000 calipers. Do I need the SM-BH90-SBM hose kit for a straight connection at the lever and banjo connection at the caliper? Would I also need the “flange connecting bolt M9”?

Currently, my ST-RS685’s with the RS785 calipers give me plenty of stopping power and feel pretty good. Aside from the weight and price, what are the real-world differences between the M8000 and M9000 calipers?

I have read that M9000 calipers have better modulation yet less stopping power. Zanc, you hint at the opposite. Is that a function of the lever, caliper, or pads? Any recommendations relating to calipers would be welcome.

Thanks in advance!

BH59 JK should have the M9 fitting bolt.


M9000 has plenty of bite.

Depending on how you purchase the R8020 or R9120 levers, you may or may not get the M9 connecting bolt for the lever. If you purchase the ISTR8020PA1 or ISTR9120PA kit, you get the levers, hoses, cables, housings, and the connecting bolts. If you purchase a pair of the replacement levers (ISTR8020RI and ISTR8020LI or ISTR9120RI and ISTR9120LI), you do not get hoses and connecting bolts. Some of the online vendors sell the pair of individual levers as the "set", so be sure to check or ask for actual Shimano product codes. If you get the individual levers, the only hose kit that includes the M9 connecting bolt and road specific BH90 barbs (yes, there are two different ones) is the SM-BH90-JK-SSR. But, if you get a banjo style caliper (M8000 for example), you need the SM-BH90-SBM hose. So you will end up with a hose that you can't use. My suggestion is the RS785 caliper for post mount applications so that you can use the SM-BH90-JK-SSR hose. I have not seen the M9 connecting bolt offered outside of the hose kit to this point. Maybe it will be available as a replacement part, but it is not listed on the Shimano B2B site yet.

The M9000 is supposedly tuned to the linear displacement of the M9000 non-servo wave mtb lever. The M9020 and M8000 calipers (and all road hydro calipers for that matter) are tuned for servo wave levers. I wouldn't read too much into my comment. It could have just been me and how I prefer my mtb brakes to feel. Cliff confirms above that the M9000 levers feel great.

Hope that helps!