The Hayes hydraulic disc brake utilizes a patented open hydraulic system unlike most other disc brakes that use a closed system. The open system allows the expanding brake fluid to go into a reservoir to eliminate "free running drag".
Submitted by
Tim
a Downhiller
from Mesa, AZ Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
Online...
Strengths:
Build Quality and materials are the best in the business, above Shimano in my opinion.
Bleeding is simple, straightforward, and quick with the bleed kit. There are no pockets internally for air to hide in and all bleeding can be done on the bike in a reasonable manner.
Performance is ideal. One-finger operation is all that is ever needed, even after a full descent. Fade is imperceptable, even when they are hot enough to sizzle some saliva.
Haven't ridden them through water yet, but dry, they are perfectly modulated, a little is a little and a lot is a _LOT_!!! Nose wheelies are more conrollable than ever and rear brake-induced slides are simple intuition.
Availability of line options like banjo fittings and longer lines is appealing to improve installations.
Weaknesses:
Lines are a little fragile, especially at the fitting on the master cylinder at the bar. I've seen them fold and kink and subsequently break(no pun intended). Minor concern, really. Stay out of the trees and dont crash!
Also used them on an Intense M1 and a Turner DHR, breifly but with the same results.
Bottom Line:
Nice bits that are lightyears ahead of the competition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeff angell
a Weekend Warrior
from des moines ,iowa Date Reviewed: April 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
science center
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
local bike shop
Strengths:
works great even after a creek crossing.they are light years above the regular brakes I had before.
Weaknesses:
None so far.....other than an install problem when first purchased. line popped off on hard braking!
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
mountain cycle san andreas
Bottom Line:
they are light and work great......sometimes I noticed that under constant downhill braking when they heat up they get alittle noisey. but only a rubbing noise...no sqeaks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Curtis
a Racer
from Ca, USA Date Reviewed: February 24, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
great modulation, stops on a dime, bulletproof,
Weaknesses:
Gee let me think.....ummmmmmm...are you kidding?
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Specialized Demo 9, Enduro
Bottom Line:
If you want to go Mach 9 on a bike, you definetly need these brakes. I rode these all year racing DH, and did'nt have to do one thing to them.(including changing the pads.......they were getting pretty worn down though) They will stop you every time, wet, muddy, dusty, snowing, it doesn't matter. These babies rule!!!!! They have great lever feel, look awesome, and most of all..they wo'nt let you down. They're weight is fairly light also, so you can put them on the hole fleet of bikes in the garage. Can't go wrong!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Oklahoma Date Reviewed: December 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
T-Town Bicycle
Strengths:
Umm, just so you don't think Im a fool, I put $1200 up there because they came with my bike and I put the bike price up there. I like my hayes, they stop great in cold, stormy, wet, dry and dusty conditions, I like them
Weaknesses:
ummm, whenever I whip a sharp turn I sometimes hear "ching" but thats just the brake caliper rubbing the pad, no big deal, it kinda makes me smile, I'll be like "go faster John, go faster" and then it'll go "ching" and then I'll go ":)"
Similar Products Used:
heh heh heh, none, I used V-Brakes though, couldn't stop once in the water, scared the crap outta me, I went down on some slick moss too, probably because I was going to fast.
Bike Setup:
you mean "brake set-up"? I hope so, I have the hayes eight inch rotors with the hyrdaulic fluid pumpin' through 'em.
Bottom Line:
I liked them, I couldn't stop without them (literally) I tried once. ONCE. Now I have disc and I like them. I almost wasn't sold on the disc's because some that I tried would totally stop with a small squeeze, not even a hard one and I was worried that if I were doing something and had to stop quick and I grabbed the front brake accidently, that I would lock up the front and go over. These are great, I can give them a good hard and long squeeze before they lock up, but it's still short enough to stop on a dime.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard Chin
a
from bronx Date Reviewed: August 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
any stair gap or dirt jump
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
none of your business
Strengths:
Works most of the time,has some good stopping power,flipflop design,moto cross style levers,works good all round.
Weaknesses:
Uses regular brake fluid(can srip paint),needs more attension than shimano XT's,brake lines are not strong and flexxy like steal braided lines( broke in the middle of the line on me once, squited fluid and lost braking power),takes a lot of time to get the rotors and pads to align properly and not squeak and rattle,NOT A VERY DURABLE DESIGN,on and off like a light switch power.
Similar Products Used:
I own Shimano XT disc(the best on reliability,durability,modulation and stopping power!),tried hope disc Dh and XC the DH 4 pistons work flawlessly on a downhill and street,Tried hope enduro with 10 inch front and 8 rear on a Brooklyn TMX,unbeweavable power! ALL OTHERS JUST SUCK!
Bike Setup:
I swith between products,I have had 4 or 5 new sets of hayes most with 8 inch rotors on my bullit and straight 8,but I love the shimano XT's the most with 8 inch rotors with Dh pads.
Bottom Line:
The hayes work well,I have tried many and owned about 5 new sets of them,they give me the most problems,but I have seen people with hope disc with more problems than hayes. They work and simple get's the job done "MOST" of the times when setup right! They are not as bomb proof and reliable as shimano's XT 4 pistons but parts are always readily available thru mail order,local shops and at race circutes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zoser
a Downhiller
from Golden Colorado Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Keystone Mtn Downhill Track
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
Hayes makes bomb proof shizzle, good modulation, stops on a dime, they the shiznit
Weaknesses:
What you crazy
Similar Products Used:
Avid, Hope
Bottom Line:
If you want to haul ass and stop on a dime these brakes r for u!! Great modulation, havent had a problem yet hell after rideing avid and hope I pressed these levers and thought I was going over the bars hence kick ass stopies!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bolinas Chapman
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley CA USA Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Wheeler
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
Sponser
Strengths:
Stops fast. light powerful stopping power
Weaknesses:
Cable lines splits when frame rubs to much
Similar Products Used:
hayes mechanicle
Bike Setup:
kona stinky dee-lux 02 marzocchi dirt jumper 1/3 2003 race face prodigy dh race face bash ring truvative Box chain guide, ultagra road cassette XTR short cage rear der. XTR rear shifter Scandium DH bars, Odi lock on grips WTB power V 03 DH freeride seat WTB Weirwolfs f/r Mavic 521 DH wheelset
Bottom Line:
These are the best brakes out there and will always be the best out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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