Basic Maintenance: Brake Fluid

[peterbaron]

This method is not good : "So I held it open with one hand while pumping with the other"... unless the end of the outlet hose is submerged in a bottle of fluid and already primed by method below.
It might be ok with the front calipers, not the rear one.

This methot IS good: "Then I switched to the open-and-close routine on the valve for each pump of the brake lever and this made the fluid move along better", always creates good working pressure pressure.

The best bleeding methods:
#1 by pressurizing the reservoir = needs special equipment
#2 by vacuum bleeder = needs special equipment
#3 pumping by brake lever or pedal with an outlet hose submerged in a bottle of fluid and already primed = no special equipment needed

[Gone in 60]

I always do mine, front and rear, by pumping up the vacuum then opening and closing the bleeder valve before the vacuum drops too far. I never really pay attention to whether or not there's fluid in the catch reservoir on the other end, but invariably the outlet hose is submerged in the old fluid half-way through the process. Always works fine for me. I use the "pump with one hand, control the bleeder wrench with the other hand" method.

If I'm doing multiple bikes in one day, when I'm done I will have switched hands for pumping and have given my hands and wrists quite a workout.