There are a few parts of the SRAM kit which are used for Shimano bleeding, but mostly bleed kits of Shimano and SRAM bleed kits are different from each other and it is not possible to use a thorough SRAM bleed kit for Shimano brakes, and also oils of both of these brakes are totally different and it is not possible to swap or interchange dot and mineral oils between them. the adapters of the Shimano and SRAM bleed kits are totally different and it is not possible to use adapters of the SRAM bleed kit for Shimano bleeding. Shimano bleeding setup is totally different and if do not afford Shimano bleed kit then simply you can bleed the Shimano brakes without using any bleeding tool kit. the syringes and funnel of both of these bleed kits are two main differences, if you are persistent and you dont want to buy or order a new Shimano bled kit then you can simply buy a syringe or funnel instead of buying the whole bleed kit for Shimano and SRAM brakes.
Adjusting And Maintaining SRAM Bleed Kit On Shimano Brakes:
The edges and the threading ends of the SRAM bleed kits which are inserted and mounted within the SRAM brake levers are not compatible with the Shimano brake levers and plungers. it is due to the non-compatibility between the tools of both of these brakes, when you mount SRAM bleed tools on the Shimano brakes, you will notice the mineral oil of the Shimano brakes leaking and your brake lever and handlebar become wet and dirty, the best and accurate solution is that you can ask your nearby mechanic shop keeper about the compatibility of Shimano and SRAM bleed kits.
Clips Of SRAM Bleed Kit:
These clips are small accessories and components of SRAM bleed kits, there are specific clips for Shimano and SRAM bleed kits and it is not possible to replace, interchange, or swap clips of both SRAM and Shimano brakes.
Shimano Bleed Kit:
If you want to bleed Shimano brakes then you have to buy the whole set of Shimano bleeding kits, in this kit, there are the following tools that are totally different from the bleeding kit tools of SRAM brakes.
- Red Mineral Hydraulic Oil 100ml
- The Lever End 30ml transparent funnel is basically a syringe.
- Threaded stainless steel plug with hanger
- Caliper End 20ml syringe with a long-lasting tube
- Clamp
- The base for funnel and adapters
- Bleed block for Shimano handlebar brakes
- One side rubbered hook and loop strap
- 7mm wrench
- Spare O-ring
You need all of these things and components for the bleeding of Shimano brakes, and these components are totally different from SRAM bleed kits, it is the reason that SRAM bleed kits are usually not used and are non-compatible with Shimano brakes.
Modulation And Feel:
The modulation and feel of both of these brakes are much different and you will feel a clear difference by pushing the levers of both of these brakes, this difference is due to their different dot and mineral fluids. SRAM brakes have better modulation and feel compared to Shimano fluids. SRAM brakes do not completely lock the wheel and the brake pads which are contacting with the rotor do not bite the rotor and make it immovable, these are the benefits of the SRAM brakes, on the other hand, Shimano brakes are not as spongy as SRAM brakes when you pull the levers of Shimano brakes the rotors and brake pads would suddenly lock up and even sometimes when you are riding on a higher speed there are more chances of skidding and slipping of your front and rear tires, it only happens due to the bad modulations and feel of Shimano brakes and their fluids.
Difference In Types And Brands Of Shimano And SRAM brakes:
Hundreds and thousands of models and kinds of both of these brakes are available in the market, they are also cheap and expensive but you cannot use all of these brakes on different bikes, there are enduro, XC, cross-country, Downhill, and Uphill bikes, and SRAM and Shimano brakes have also different response for all of these bikes, Shimano and SRAM brakes would work differently if you install uphill Shimano or SRAM brakes on a downhill bike, then it will not respond as much better as their own recommended and specific uphill disc brakes.
Difference In Brake Calipers Of Shimano And SRAM Brakes:
There are two most common types of brake calipers of Shimano and SRAM disc brakes, both of them are given below:
- Single Piston Brake Calipers
- Double Piston Brake Calipers
Single-piston brake calipers have more braking capacity of gripping and more response as compared to double-piston brake calipers. and also single-piston calipers are greater in their weight and double-piston brake calipers are lighter in their weight.
Difference In Rotors Of SRAM And Shimano Brakes:
Rotors are of different sizes, smaller sized rotors have lesser stopping power and ability to stop mountain bikes and road bikes on hard and aggressive trails, but larger-sized rotors are more capable and have greater stopping power and response, based on the size and capacity of the rotors you have to take a decision before selection of the rotor because trails and different categories of uphill, downhill and enduro bikes have different sized rotors.
Specific Fluids And Oils:
SRAM brakes use dot fluids for bleeding these brakes while Shimano brakes use mineral oils, and it is not possible to insert mineral oil within the SRAM brakes and dot fluids within the Shimano brakes, because putting or bleeding these brakes with their opposite brake fluids would ruin and cause damage within the internal seals of these brakes, it is the reason that there are specific oils and fluids for both Shimano and SRAM brakes.