-Carbon fiber lever blade with wide profile
-Anti-rotation reach adjstment bushing
-2- peice master cylinder design for easy remonval
-Flip-flop design master sylinder allows lever to be mounted on either side of bar
-V6 Rotor
-Sintered matalliv all-weater pad compound
Submitted by
Filippo
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: November 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Granite Basin, Prescott
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
friend
Strengths:
Stopping power, Simple design
Weaknesses:
Weight
Similar Products Used:
Avid, Shimano
Bike Setup:
C'Dale Jekyll, full XTR, Hayes 9 Carbon, Tora fork
Bottom Line:
I have these on 2 bikes and for the price, I can't complain. They have great stopping power, were simple to install and adjust. I bled one system and it wasn't nearly the pain in the culo that I had anticipated (do a little research before you do).
There are better brakes out there now, lighter and slimmer, and most likely more expensive.I've never regretted buying these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lsaiyo
a Weekend Warrior
from Grass Valley, Ca Date Reviewed: October 23, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Ashland mtn, downieville, osbourne hill
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
They do great almost all of the time. They slow you down..enough. Awesome system that rarely needs bleeding. Excellent mid-range brake. After riding these a hair over 3 1/2 years, I have been impressed with the performance.
Weaknesses:
That dang hayes wobble. theres a good quarter inch of lever play in both levers. levers are a vulnerable arrea for damage. knowing that, I got the brakes anyways (carbon fiber = shiny factor), and the clear coat has chipped off in numerous places. Ive found that the v6 rotors dont seem to get the job done too well, so i ordered up a front v7 rotor and 180mm adaptor, hopefully that will fix the two finger lever issue. They tend to make noise in the rain, but what brake doesn't? they have too much neutral lever pull, and even after I bled the brakes after 2 years (super nice, sealed, reliable system) the lever pull didnt change much, but then again, there wasn't much air in the system to begin with. the rear brake is a pill though. i was experiencing fade, so I bled the rear system,and the fluid was this milky grey color, so i flushed the ststem, and there is still continuing fade... the front brake packs up a bit, as opposed to fading.
For an excellent low maintence, mid range brake, this is a wonderful option for a cross country to all mountain bike. sweet price, mad shiny factor. will stop the bike. theoretically.
i would suggest the new Hayes Stroker line as a step up and comparable price.
because of the new stroker line, i give this brake 3 chilis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
snafu5962
a Racer
from York, Pa, USA Date Reviewed: July 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Ridge County Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Great modulation, super light, amazing 1 finger pull, looks sweet
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Mech., Magura Hydros, Shimano Hydros, Avid BB5
Bike Setup:
Salsa El Santo
Bottom Line:
I love em. No problems yet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
loosespoke
a Weekend Warrior
from French Gulch, Ca. USA Date Reviewed: June 22, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
The carbon levers have a good ridgid feel. The pads really seem to last a long time. Reasonably light and look good. Good modulation and quiet.
Weaknesses:
Too much lever travel for my liking. Not powerful enough for extended or high speed downhill runs. Not quite a one finger brake.
Similar Products Used:
Avid bb7
Bike Setup:
Diamondback xsl eliete. Fox float R, WTB speedisc.
Bottom Line:
A great brake for xc use and short downhill runs. However, i have found the front brake requires too much effort to get the wheel to lock up.(really, how often do you go around locking the front brake anyway?) The back brake will lock up fairly easy and has been great on all but the long steep downhills. I weigh 130 lbs and on a fast downhill run the rear brake will be literally smoking! Also the rotor is black and you can feel the heat radiating out. The front dosent get as hot but it is way too hot to touch. All things considered, I feel that Hayes made a great product for its intended use but it dosen't quite fit the needs for long/fast downhill runs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cmonkEP
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: June 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
The one I'm riding
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Easy adjustment, no maintenance, not the heaviest, nifty carbon lever, it works
Weaknesses:
moisture + brake = squeal, not the strongest, not the lightest
These have worked very well for me here in the desert. I've got ~1500 miles on them with no mechanical problems whatsoever. They have great modulation and feel, and my only complaint is that they could use a bit more power. While they always seem to stop my 185lb self + 30lbs of bike, I would like it to happen a little quicker.
Overall a pretty decent brake for the $$.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Norcalsav101
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clara, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Post Office
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Blueskycycling.com
Strengths:
Only cost me $90 and it has a carbon fiber lever giving it that cool look
Weaknesses:
ALOT OF WEAKNESSES FOR ME! first problem i encountered was when my master cylinder screw completely stripped and my brake lever hung loosely unattached and i had to pay $40 to get a stupid screw? next problem is that my brakes have completely faded out even after a completely thorough bleed.
Similar Products Used:
Juicy 5
Bike Setup:
Transition Trail or park
Bottom Line:
i would not recommend this break it looks cool but the power fades to quickly and it feels really cheap i am definetly not satisfied
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
stevereeneo
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: June 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$79.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Solid, easy to adjust hose length, carbon levers have high 'bling' factor, easy to adjust/set-up, reliable, easily repaired/simple design, plenty powerful enough for XC use
Weaknesses:
During long descents they can be a bit noisy - more of a high pitched hummm rather than squealing, if you're not careful you can break the piston/post that holds the brake pad when pushing the pistons apart... but it can be fixed easily enough. Bleeding is a bit of a pain - but once you do it it's no big deal - I recommend using a big syringe instead of the bottle they give you. No major weaknesses though
Similar Products Used:
Avids - BB7, Juicy...
Bike Setup:
On both the Santa Cruz Blur XC and the Monocog Flight 29er SS.
Bottom Line:
I was given an older pair of Nines a while back and they worked great - then I broke the post on one and had to pull the caliper apart to replace the piston and seal...which was straightforward enough, so I got another pair since I knew I could fix 'em and they were on sale for $79 each. They have proven to be plenty reliable and are WAAAAAY easier on my hands on long descents than the BB7s were.
These are good "workhorse" brakes for XC use and have stood up to some good abuse.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Galbraith Mt, Bellingham, WA
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Fernadale bike shop
Strengths:
Looks great! Brakes very well with 8" front rotor.
Weaknesses:
Terrible machinging for the brake adjuster screws...backs off after 15-10 minutes
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT discs 1st gen
Bike Setup:
Kona Bear, built to last
Bottom Line:
The brake adjuster screws are out of spec or the threading is out of spec...Constant adjustment of the brake lever adjuster is necessary. This is my 1st Hayes product I have owned and it will be my last, should have insisted on Shimano from the start. 1st gen XT discs are where its at.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Hayes
a Racer
from Greenwood, IN Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
good modulation, nice lever, easy to set and adjust
Weaknesses:
weight compared to others, price(but I'm cheap)
Similar Products Used:
Avid BB7, Hayes 9, Hayes MX-2
Bike Setup:
Kona Kula Supreme, Sram X.0, Fox F100 RLC, Industry Nine Ultralight
Bottom Line:
Great Brakes! Hayes has had issues in the past with some of their hydraulic brakes, but their new stuff is really nice. I abuse brakes and these have never faultered and have never had a problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Page Nicol
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego Date Reviewed: November 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lake Morena
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Light weight, inexpensive for carbon levers, good modulation.
Weaknesses:
Piston set screw keeps coming out and must be reset. Have had shop reset it with lock tight and it still does it. When this happens the levers will go to the bars and really decrease stopping power until it is reset with a small allen wrench.
Similar Products Used:
Avid Juicy Seven
Bike Setup:
Ibis Mojo with Sram XO and XTR
Bottom Line:
I really like these brakes but after only a few miles of riding the piston set screw keeps coming out and the levers lose any stopping ability. I've had the shop reset them with lock tight to no avail. We tried a different type of lock tight so we'll see next weekend. Other then this I really like the feel of these brakes, especially compared to the Avids
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lloyd
a Downhiller
from Philippines but now I'm here in Shanghai, China Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$188.00
Purchased At:
Wader Bikes (Jia Ding, Shanghai)
Strengths:
Looks good (due to its Carbon Fiber lever) and in an affordable price. Carbon lever has a nice feel, its stiff. For the weight, its light compared to the Aluminum models.
Weaknesses:
Even though its new (pre-bleeded), the rear brake needs bleeding... it's not a big deal though and this won't affect my review...
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore M-525 and Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Single Speed urban/dj rig. Frame: Mosso M1; Fork: 2005 Manitour Firefly (90/130mm travel and 20mm thru axle); Rims: Sun Rims Ditch Witch; Tires: Maxxis Holy Roller (26x2.4); Hubs: Quando TX 20mm thru axle front and Shimano Deore 525 rear; Crankset: FSA Gravity; Pedal: Shimano 424; Seat post: Race Face; Saddle: Da Bomb (bomb boy); Stem and Handle bar: 31.8mm from a Jamis Komodo; Brake system: Hayes 9 Carbon w/ 8" rotors (front and rear).
Bottom Line:
This hydraulic brake system is great. I love the modulation and the power (the 8' rotors contributes to its performance though). I'm no weight wennie... i'm a freerider/Dh racer who just found my way here in the urban jungle of Shanghai.
The weakness that I stated above doesn't affect the overall performance of the system. Anyway, I really need to purchase a bleeding kit for my system since its advisable to bleed any hydraulic system once every year (at a minimum) or when the need arises.
The next time that I will purchase for my AM bike in the Philippines is a set of Hayes 9 Carbons.
Way to go Hayes and Manitou!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC Canada Date Reviewed: February 26, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Levers are great. Weight is reasonable. Easy to get parts, inexpensive to maintain/replace. Modulation/Feel are unlike other Hayes - nearly as nice as Saints or Oros.
Weaknesses:
Could be lighter...and brake fade is unreasonable. These are not for freeride/DH/Clydesdales.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Mag XC, Magura Louise FR, Shimano Deore, Avid Juicy 5, Hope Mono Minis, Avid BB7, Hayes HFX-1...yup, I've tried 'em all except formulas.
Bike Setup:
'06 Reign one. And yes it's set up.
Bottom Line:
Okay. Nothing special but they get the job done until cash comes along to replace them with oros or saints. Plus it gives you an idea of what carbon levers are like (I think they're a lot better as long as your not scared to break them). If you're about to spend some cash, just get the Formula Oro K18s for the same price and you get a waaaay better system. That's the next purchase for me...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dan
a Racer
from act , Australia Date Reviewed: November 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
mal adjusted
Strengths:
Looks really nice. great repuation. Performs well under any conditions. Sturdy brake system.
Weaknesses:
none yet i hope
Similar Products Used:
hayes hfx9 and avid 5
Bike Setup:
scott scale 30, full xtr, hayes hfx9 carbon
Bottom Line:
bottom line i think the brakes are one of the best brakes money can buy from hayes. will not run anything else!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensboro, N.C USA Date Reviewed: September 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Salem Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Paceline Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great breaking power no worries about not being able to stop, great feel due to carbon because it doesn't bend, and just plain killer looks!
Weaknesses:
None as of yet normally i would wait longer to review something but you get the feel of brakes pretty easy
Similar Products Used:
hayes hfx-9 non carbon
Bike Setup:
Trek Remedy 6, sram x.9 shifters/rear derrailuer, manitou Nixon, Manitou Swinger 3-way,Bontager RAce Disk Wheels, X-Lite carbon bars,Hayes hfx-carbon, Stainless eggbeaters, Continental Vertical Pro tubless, with a Big Earl up front, sorry for the long description I just love my bike and can't help it
Bottom Line:
These are great brakes have had no worries and have a friend who rode over 2000 miles on standard Hayes HFX without any problems, the carbon simply adds more feel and better looks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Giancarlo Pelosi
a Weekend Warrior
from Miramar, FL, USA Date Reviewed: July 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Markham Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
Bell's Bikes
Strengths:
Looks really nice. Hold its repuation just like in Motocross. Performs well under adverse conditions. Sturdy brake system.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Avid Juicy 7
Bike Setup:
XTR, XT, Shimano, Race Face, Hayes 9 carbon, WTB, ODI, Kenda, Mavic, SRAM, FOX, and Chris King.
Bottom Line:
I like it better than the Avids but that is a matter of opinion. Better reputation due to its history is making brake systems for the Motocross circuit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Lopez
a Racer
from Phoenix AZ, USA Date Reviewed: June 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
any one I can find.
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$206.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
very nice, clean looking design! Flip Flop levers are nice, they do there job!
Weaknesses:
long break in time.
Similar Products Used:
pretty much all of them
Bike Setup:
I have so many bikes its rediculous
Bottom Line:
Very nice brake.. It has a "stick in your spokes feel when ya get right on em! A definate sorce of power, not spungy at all. if your an agressive XC'er who wants definate power without having to convert to a 7 or 8 inch rotor, this is your brake.If your a finness rider, you prabably wouldn't like them. Oh yeah, and you know that horible tweaking bending feeling you get from your regular metal levered brakes when you pull on them really hard? non-existant with carbon levers. Thicker, stronger, an over all better feel and apearance for quite a bit less $$$ then you'd have to pay for.. lets say: Avid Juicy carbon, or Magura Morta SL's. that cost a hole bunch more with minimal differiences in performance and weight.. make no mistake about it, this is an awsome brake system..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ntha
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel Date Reviewed: April 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Modulation.
Weaknesses:
Not a very powerful system.
Similar Products Used:
Hayes Comp (composite) hydraulic brake, Shimano M-525.
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse MKIII.
Bottom Line:
These brakes are not as powerful as similar systems I've used, and even compared to older models of HFX-9's I tried. I feel I have to put more effort in controlling the bike going downhill and on long descends some fade is clearly evident. I now need to improve my skills and apply the brakes more wisely...:) Nevertheless, it's modulation is good and so far it has been problem free and consistent. I can't recommend the system for other then XC riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Nottingham Date Reviewed: April 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Black route at glentress
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
The hub in the forest
Strengths:
Lever feel Stops like a stick in the spokes
Weaknesses:
The front one suddenly started pulling all the way back to the bars with almost no stopping power. So into the local (very helpful bike shop- cheers Cyclex) bike shop I go. They said it probably needs a bleed, perhaps some stuff in the lever needs replaced. No worries. They bled it and lots of “black crap" came out, replaced the cylinders in the lever, still no change in the performance, bled it- more black crap. They got on the phone to Hotwheels (the importers) who want it sent back to fix. I would be less worried about this if the mechanics hadn't encountered someone else with the same problem at the meridia 100 this weekend.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano 4 pot xt, avid jucy 5, hope c2.
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock giant reign 1
Bottom Line:
These came on a year old hire bike from the hub. They feel and work great, however...see the weaknesses
Lets see how this problem gets fixed. A £50 repair bill (so far) on a brake that can be replaced for £90 is not looking great.
But when they work, they work well:)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eric
a Racer
from fall city washington Date Reviewed: December 22, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
awesome modulation carbon lever sexy smooth
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
avid mechanical v brakes hfx's
Bike Setup:
kona kula deluxe with fsa orbit extreme headset, rithey mountain pro stem
Bottom Line:
when weather gets crappy and wet, still stops and does not fade awesome modulation always stops pads last forever levers never get cold, even on coldest days
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ Date Reviewed: November 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
24 hours in the Old Pueblo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came with my Kona Kula Deluxe
Strengths:
Carbon levers have a very nice feel. Good stopping power.
Weaknesses:
I have had to send the front brake in 3 times now for repair. The lever pulls all the way to the bar if not used frequently. I had to pump the brake to get it to work. The bike shop, Arizona Bicycle Experts, who are awesome, sent it back for me. Hayes returned it to the shop and after 1 ride the brake would not disengage fully. I reset the pads and still they rubbed. Not good while on a 30 mile endurance race. Have just sent them back again and we will see what happens.
Bike Setup:
2005 Kona Kula Deluxe, chris king head, mavic rims, xt everything.
Bottom Line:
I have been disapointed with Hayes as far a service. I hope they just replace it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Danny
a Cross Country Rider
from Chiangmai Date Reviewed: November 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Helens Wu Zhi Shan
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Taipei
Strengths:
The Carbon levers looks cool and gives you a strong grip. Stopping power is good but makes quite a bit of noise when wet or muddy.
Weaknesses:
I keep having to adjust the travel set screw when I am flying down the hill. The set screws keeps working its way out thus loosening the handle travel. A little locktite fix it but I had to do it on my HOPE minis.
Similar Products Used:
HOPE MINIS simply cannot compare it's just so very good.
Bike Setup:
Brake came stock on the Kona Kula Deluxe
Bottom Line:
Good looking and works great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rhane Pfeiffer
a Downhiller
from Pfeiffer Date Reviewed: October 9, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Post Canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycles
Strengths:
Amazing modulation and power, damage resistant levers
Weaknesses:
I eventually broke off the piston inside the caliper and had to rebuild it, not too hard or expensive though
Similar Products Used:
Hayes HFX 9 HD, Shimano XT hydros
Bike Setup:
03 Bighit expert
Bottom Line:
Simply amazing brakes, nothing can beat their modulation and they have plenty of power, you can lock up the wheels using only 1 finger if needed. I have used the regular HFXs a lot and there is a noticable improvement with the carbons, the levers dont break off or bend as easily, and they are better shaped so there is no need for a bonz or dangerboy lever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Erwin
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach, CA USA Date Reviewed: September 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Any Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Braking modulation and the fact that the levers are carbon fiber. Also gotta love the wavy rotors that came with my bike.
Weaknesses:
Weight of the system, design of the levers.
Similar Products Used:
Juicy 7's, BB7's, maguras
Bike Setup:
Trance 1 with some goodies!!
Bottom Line:
These brakes work awesome. The modulation is there and if you absolutely have to stop, these brakes will do the job. My only complaint was the design of the lever. I personally like the feel of the juicy 7's but im not complaining about the 9's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ANDREW
a Weekend Warrior
from BATON ROUGE, LA. USA Date Reviewed: August 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
COMITE RIVER AND HOOPER
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
STOCK WITH BIKE
Strengths:
MODULATION, WEIGHT, LOOKS, SMOOTH
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
V BRAKES
Bike Setup:
STOCK 2005 HOLLOWPOINT EXPERT
Bottom Line:
AWESOME BRAKES! WATCH OUT FOR ENDOS AT FIRST. VERY PROGRESSIVE FEEL. SUPER SILENT OPERATION. VERY TRICK. VERY ADJUSTABLE. NICE CARBON LEVERS, MAY BE FAKE CARBON FIBER, DON'T KNOW.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Malcolm Lockhart
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK Date Reviewed: August 22, 2005
Favorite Trail:
The Wall
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Awesome stopping power at not too much weight penalty. Look very cool, especially the wavy rotors. Helped by the Hope hubs.
Weaknesses:
Cost if you buy them at full price I guess
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Fisher Cake 2, Hayes HFX9 Carbon, Hope XC, Mavic 717
Bottom Line:
Never going back to rim brakes!! Get some good hubs to get the best out of them.
$
Overall Rating:
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