Increasing brake lever travel?

[qcbaker]

Hey all, I've noticed for a bit that my front brake lever travel has been slowly increasing. I still can brake effectively, it just takes more lever travel for the brakes to fully "bite". I'm fairly sure the corrective action for this is to bleed them and do a fluid change. Though, if anyone has any other tips, I'd love to hear them. However, I'm more interested in learning what could cause this. Originally I thought that I must be leaking fluid. But, I don't see any indication of leaks at the reservoir, line, or caliper. Could it be that the reservoir is not sealing properly?

[1018cc]

One problem I've had on old cars (not bikes but thought I'd throw the idea out there) with old hoses is sometimes over time they soften up internally and swell internally. Ends up with no leaks but terrible pedal feel and no visible problem on the surface.

Seriously, I'd try changing the brake fluid and bleed the brake first before throwing parts at it.

My 2c.

[qcbaker]

Interesting thought. If the problem comes back after a fluid change/bleed, I'll consider changing the brake lines. I've thought about upgrading to steel ones so maybe this will give me an excuse to increase my farkle factor and get some blue ones lol.

[ShowBizWolf]

...old hoses is sometimes over time they soften up internally and swell internally. Ends up with no leaks but terrible pedal feel and no visible problem on the surface.

When I was reading about the benefits of those Galfer stainless brake lines I bought in March, I came across that very information more than once. The rubber ones tend to fatigue over time but the stainless ones don't.

I haven't done much riding with my new lines but I can say that I do notice a very nice difference! And as you said qc, they add some bling