apparently you can buy these in bulk - 5 mm brass olives that fit on brake hoses used on mountain bikes.

cheapest I have found are these not sure if they are suitable though.

do you know of any other sources?
(shimano ones are £ 1.50 each )

[Edited on 9/9/10 by 02GF74]

plumbers merchants?

it says there for nylon hose not braided i would get some from merlin cycles least they will be the right ones

searched on line (brass olive, brass gland) doesn't come up with much from plumbers merchants - maybe I'll go to a couple in person.

the hoses I use (shimano and magura) are nylon outer, braided ones are goodridge and use a different fitting system not involving brass olives.

Try a pneumatic/hydraulic supplier, they have them to fit small compression fittings for nylon pipe.
Like this place.

[Edited on 9/9/10 by Peteff]

What about these?

Linky

There are some here:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.aspx?Search=olive

What brakes do you have? Ive got Avid Elixr R, and recently shortened my hose as it was too long. i used an Avid Barb, and Avid olive, and it worked spot on

^^^ brill, thx for searching, I knew locostbuilders would come up trumps.

12p per olive - brillo!!! better than £ 1.50 from Chain Reaction and other bike places.

I have Shimano XT and Magura Marta, both use same size hose - 5 mm so work with 5 mm olives.

The little barbs are compatible too, they're to stop the tube crushing, well, they would be since I am using Shimano hose for both (Magura is much more expensive).

[Edited on 10/9/10 by 02GF74]