Difficulty
Easy
Steps
9
Time Required
15 minutes
Sections
1
- Shimano Ultegra 6800 Caliper Brake Maintenance
- 9 steps
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BackShimano Ultegra 6800 Caliper Brake
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Introduction
What you need
Step 1
Shimano Ultegra 6800 Caliper Brake Maintenance
- Using the 5mm allen wrench,check if the bolt on the backside of the caliper is snug.
Using the 5mm allen wrench,check if the bolt on the backside of the caliper is snug.
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Step 2
- If your brake caliper is still tightened, loosen the cable bolt with a 5mm Allen wrench to take tension off the caliper.
If your brake caliper is still tightened, loosen the cable bolt with a 5mm Allen wrench to take tension off the caliper.
Step 3
- Check if the braking pads are contacting the rim in desired locations.
- Both pads are loosened the same way.
- For the left caliper pad, marked in the red circle, loosen the bolt with a 4mm Allen wrench so the pad can be adjusted.
- Align the bottom edge of the pad with the bottom edge of the braking surface and then tighten.
- For the right caliper pad, marked in the yellow circle, loosen the bolt with a 4mm Allen wrench so the pad can be adjusted.
- Align the top edge of the pad with the top edge of the braking surface and then tighten.
Check if the braking pads are contacting the rim in desired locations.
Both pads are loosened the same way.
For the left caliper pad, marked in the red circle, loosen the bolt with a 4mm Allen wrench so the pad can be adjusted.
Align the bottom edge of the pad with the bottom edge of the braking surface and then tighten.
For the right caliper pad, marked in the yellow circle, loosen the bolt with a 4mm Allen wrench so the pad can be adjusted.
Align the top edge of the pad with the top edge of the braking surface and then tighten.
Step 4
- Check if your brake cable is inside the groove on the two plates (marked in the red cirlce) that hold the brake cable.
Check if your brake cable is inside the groove on the two plates (marked in the red cirlce) that hold the brake cable.
Step 5
- If the adjustment lever is not turned down, turn it down.
If the adjustment lever is not turned down, turn it down.
Step 6
- Squeeze the caliper until both sides are about 1mm from the rim.
- While still squeezing, pull down the slack on the wire and tension the wire by bolting it down.
Squeeze the caliper until both sides are about 1mm from the rim.
While still squeezing, pull down the slack on the wire and tension the wire by bolting it down.
Step 7
- Fine tune the brake calipers by using the barrel adjuster.
- Counter clockwise turns open the calipers and clockwise turns close the calipers.
Fine tune the brake calipers by using the barrel adjuster.
Counter clockwise turns open the calipers and clockwise turns close the calipers.
Step 8
- Make the brake pads equidistant from the rim by adjusting the tiny bolt on top of the caliper with a 3mm Allen wrench.
Make the brake pads equidistant from the rim by adjusting the tiny bolt on top of the caliper with a 3mm Allen wrench.
Step 9
- Check if the brakes are working properly by squeezing your brake levers.
Check if the brakes are working properly by squeezing your brake levers.
Check if your brakes are properly working before you ride. If the tightness and alignment are satisfactory, enjoy your ride.
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6 other people completed this guide.
Author
with 3 other contributors
Leland Lam
Member since: 02/24/2015
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Team
Cal Poly, Team 24-4, Green Winter 2015
Member of Cal Poly, Team 24-4, Green Winter 2015
CPSU-GREEN-W15S24G4
4 Members
3 Guides authored
David Kuch - Nov 17, 2019
Reply
There is a second small adjusting screw further in on the caliper, pushing against the spring. I think I know what it’s for, but why not point that out, lest someone use it mistakenly. So?
spicedupflip - Jun 27, 2020
Reply
What is the purpose of having the pads offset where one is lined up to the bottom of the rim and one lined up to the top as shown on Step #3 above in comparison to just having the pad surface completely the same?
jeremy isaacs - Jul 16, 2020
This is not needed on ultegra callipers as they are duel symmetric and both pads move up on braking. Pads should be set to the lower area of the rim. Duel pivot callipers need the above setting.
Damon Murphy - Jul 22, 2020
Reply
How do you make dual symmetric Ultegra calipers centred as they do not have the bolt in step 8?
lmi - Dec 1, 2021
Reply
Park tools has a great video on adjusting the calipers and addresses all types of calipers and explains how to adjust and center the pads.
