Description:-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
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.
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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.
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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
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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!
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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...
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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!
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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.
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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..
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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.
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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:)
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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.
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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.
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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.
$
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