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Submitted by
-WHIP-
a Racer
from Saint Clair Shoes, Mi
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Ruby | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | B3 | | Strengths: | No maintenance....at least my pair | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC SE1 Frame-Too much to list after that | | Bottom Line: | I have had this set of HAYES for over 4 years on 3 different frames. Besides this season I would race weekly and ride at least 3x's during the week. I am 215lbs plus and have necer had a problem with this set. HIGHLY recommended!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
drinkypoo
a Weekend Warrior
from Kelseyville, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Gail's on Boggs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Stop you like anything. | | Weaknesses: | Bleeding these things is a NIGHTMARE. It's a good thing you don't have to do it often, because it's TERRIBLE. Just take it to the shop, seriously. | | Similar Products Used: | Cars have hydraulic brakes | | Bike Setup: | Haro Extreme with Fox Talas RC2 and DHX5 | | Bottom Line: | These brakes will stop you like anything, but bleeding them is pure BS. They make you bleed them from the bottom, and PUSH the fluid through the system. Unfortunately the bottle only attaches to the bleeder with a slip-on tube, so it's SUPER easy for it to come off. If you do your own maintenance, get something else. I do my own so I can only give out 3 chilis. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jlevy
a Cross Country Rider
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Perote, Veracruz | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came installed with | | Strengths: | Great all around brakes. | | Weaknesses: | None noticed. | | Similar Products Used: | Magura, Shimano. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro Pro 2001 Stock. | | Bottom Line: | One of the best if not the best component I have ever used. Hardly any maintenance and great performance. Pad duration is superb. Minumum break-in needed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke101
a Downhiller
from Berkeley, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Live Wire | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Strong, easy to work on, good stopping power, cheap (compared to avid), dont seem to fade at all | | Weaknesses: | Little adjustments, little modulation | | Similar Products Used: | Avid 3's and 5's | | Bike Setup: | Big Hit | | Bottom Line: | They will stop you and lock up well but not much in the middle. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spd_pwr_tecnq
a Weekend Warrior
from Neenah, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything fast and tecnical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Always brake with confidence with hayes hydraulic nines. Work perfect in all conditions, never any fade under heavy braking downhill. Lever always feels solid!! | | Weaknesses: | Only had to readjust the front caliper mount once (installation error, not tightens properly by bike shop.) | | Similar Products Used: | Cable discs can't compare. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher hoo koo e koo.
locked, cocked, ready to rock! | | Bottom Line: | These will be my companions on any bike from now on! Just hold on because if you want to stop on a dime, you will.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Downhiller
from Kent, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Sawyer Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | They stop pretty fast and they severed my right index finger! | | Weaknesses: | They squeak sometimes and throw on a 7" disc on the back. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Specialized BigHit SPEC | | Bottom Line: | Get them their cheap and have great stopping power get a 7" disc for the back and watch those fingers! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
elliott
a Cross Country Rider
from LA CA US
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | My first caliper Mx was in 2007 I got them in 2000. I am also 200 lbs and ride 60 to 70 miles of single trax a week | | Weaknesses: | not ajustable | | Bottom Line: | For least amount of Mx and great stopping power they are buy far the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Assenmacher's Cyclery | | Strengths: | Smooth and consistent braking under all conditions. Get used to them very quickly. Good modulation. Except for start-up issues, they were maintenance free and very dependable. | | Weaknesses: | As with all disk brakes, you must put spacers in if you take the wheels off. | | Bike Setup: | These Hayes 9's came standard on my 2008 Trek Fuel Ex 8. | | Bottom Line: | Most of the reviewers seem to either love or hate these brakes. So far, I love them! I've heard great things about the Avid mechanicals, too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brad
a Downhiller
from perth, western australia, australia
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | it makes you STOP!!!!!!!!!! just befor you get wraped around a tree. the work great no matter what weater your in i told all my mates now they have them. | | Weaknesses: | as if!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | none, one of a kind | | Bike Setup: | race line max, michlen wheels, top of the line truvativ crank set. | | Bottom Line: | great, in every way, wet drysnow. they work in every thing!!!!!!!!! no joke | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe stabbs
a Cross Country Rider
from harbor springs mi
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | touring gear | | Strengths: | Work great for a while. great stopping power when wet | | Weaknesses: | mine had the worst vibrations in them you can possibly imagine. had to replace everything in the rear disc to make the vibration go away. not cheap!!! | | Similar Products Used: | v-brakes and the random avid disc trying someone elses bike. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 gary fisher big sur with some added features but nothing worth trying to brag bout. | | Bottom Line: | when they are working properly they are great brakes. ive had my problems with them and trying to replace some of the components can get pricey. imagine that though in this game. all in all would get again | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe stabbs
a Cross Country Rider
from harbor springs mi
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | touring gear | | Strengths: | Work great for a while. great stopping power when wet | | Weaknesses: | mine had the worst vibrations in them you can possibly imagine. had to replace everything in the rear disc to make the vibration go away. not cheap!!! | | Similar Products Used: | v-brakes and the random avid disc trying someone elses bike. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 gary fisher big sur with some added features but nothing worth trying to brag bout. | | Bottom Line: | when they are working properly they are great brakes. ive had my problems with them and trying to replace some of the components can get pricey. imagine that though in this game. all in all would get again | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Marquette
a Downhiller
from Santa Barbara California
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | RED ROCK | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | given by friend | | Strengths: | Great stopping force | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy for a bmx | | Similar Products Used: | cable disc | | Bike Setup: | Powerlite P61 frame with manitou suspension forks crupi flip flop hub with atom lab disc adapter and a shimano xt front hub. Check out my other review on the P61 frame to see what else i got. | | Bottom Line: | I love having hydraulic brakes on my BMX... Thats right you heard my BMX... I got HYdraulic disc brakes on my BMX. these brakes are the original hayes the first on the market and still work like new. I reccommend them to anybody who asks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Marquette
a Downhiller
from Santa Barbara California
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | RED ROCK | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | given by friend | | Strengths: | Great stopping force | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy for a bmx | | Similar Products Used: | cable disc | | Bike Setup: | Powerlite P61 frame with manitou suspension forks crupi flip flop hub with atom lab disc adapter and a shimano xt front hub. Check out my other review on the P61 frame to see what else i got. | | Bottom Line: | I love having hydraulic brakes on my BMX... Thats right you heard my BMX... I got HYdraulic disc brakes on my BMX. these brakes are the original hayes the first on the market and still work like new. I reccommend them to anybody who asks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Van
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came with second hand bike (which is over 6 years old now) | | Strengths: | I personally like the feel of the Hayes lever. They have felt good before, but very rarely. | | Weaknesses: | They have minds of their own. Every day something new goes wrong with them. One day they'll have great power but act line an on/off switch, the next they'll modulate with the best of them but need to be held a lever length ahead of the bar so you can pull the lever as far as it's pivot (much farther than the bar) will allow before you can lock them, the next day they won't work at all, and the next day they'll do all of the above and more, all at once. | | Similar Products Used: | As in brakes that compete with Hayes, or brakes that performed like the Hayes? I've ridden Avid hydros and mechs many times, every kind of Hayes, Hope Minis, all types of Shimanos, the list goes on, but none of them (except for the other Hayes hydraulics) were as unreliable as the Hayes'. | | Bike Setup: | Old school RM6, E13, Pig headset, new Hayes V8 rotors, Lizard Skins North Shore lockons, Kooka cranks, Kinetic tires, all else stock. | | Bottom Line: | Hayes hydraulics usually feel great when they're newly bled, but things start to disintegrate from there. That's all there is to it. I don't know if they've fixed any of those problems sinse 2000, but it doesn't look like it. Hayes would be awesome if only they performed like they do when they're brand new, barely used and freshly bled, and stayed that way. Obviously they don't. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rodney
a Weekend Warrior
from Morhead, Kentucky, USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Sheltowee Trace | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on my Giant Yukon | | Strengths: | Great Stopping Power. I was coming down a paved road from the top of the App. Mountains to the bottom of a valley. I was seeing how fast I could get my bike going. I just got the Yukon a few months ago. Once I got near the bottom I noticed the gate was closed. They stopped me. These brakes probably saved my life when V brakes would have melted. My disc is now a different color because it got so hot, but hey I'm still here. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Haven't tried other disc brakes | | Bike Setup: | 06' Giant Yukon | | Bottom Line: | These brakes will stop you and everyone needs control. They give me confidence while riding, and they're very easy to adjust. I would recommend these. 5 chillies for saving my skin | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
al
a
from dallas
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | quiet
modulation
easy setup | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | demo'ed a few hyd and cable systems | | Bike Setup: | mongoose wing super | | Bottom Line: | inexpensive, real, simple, hydraulic brakes. Awesome modulation, not 1-digit power but more than adequate. i'd give up a bit of power for crontol any day, and these are dailed-in as far as i'm concerned. no rubbing/squeaking, no judders or racket when braking. consistant. awesome for stock equipment on a $600 bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from Wheat Ridge, CO
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | LPS to Porcupine rim Shuttle | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Weaknesses: | Need constant adjustment
| | Bottom Line: | These brakes are not ready to ride straight out of the box. In order to get even satisfactory performance out of them you will have to cycle the pistons in and out several times to keep them from sticking. Many of them I've worked with also come straight from the factory needing bled before ever being ridden. I eventually took the hayes off my CC bike and replaced them with Maguras because I got tired of having to adjust them after every ride, and usually at least once during the ride to keep them from rubbing. I haven't worked with the El Caminos yet, so I can't say anything about them, but I will never buy a set of any other new hayes brakes. The only reason they're still more popular than Hope or Magura is because most bike companies are still including hayes in their groupo's. If you are specing your own bike, I would highly recommend going with anything other than hayes. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ming Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from HK
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | TMS | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Second Hand | | Strengths: | - Great stopping Power
- Brake pads last relatively long time
- Not noisy
| | Weaknesses: | - Broke the brake hose twice, came off both times at the lever. Granted I did crash both times but they pulled out.
- Whenver something needs to be replaced or it's relatively expensive to do so
- Caliper seized
- Once you get rubbing of disc it's hard to eliminate | | Similar Products Used: | None, first hydraulics used on my freeride bike. I use Avid mechanicals on my XC bike which is 99% trouble free and completely user serviceable. | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Joker SL, Hayes Mag | | Bottom Line: | I love the power of Hydraulic brakes and Hayes has fantastic modulation and power. It's taken me awhile to switch to hydraulic brakes because I was leary of maintaining the fluid system myself. I believe for the most part hyraulic systems are a pain in the ass and not completely reliable after accidents etc.. After using them for 1 year I was completely right!
However the alternative is to use Mechanical discs which are fantastic for XC but for downhill, freeriding not a good option, Hydraulics are the way to go for sheer stopping power. I've lost 2 hoses during rides and it's not fun having only 1 brake functioning. Recently I had my front caliper Seize so had to replace with lower model Hayes Nine brake, I figure their both as good but the nine is significantly cheaper.
haven't tried any other Hydra Brake systems but I'd be open to suggestions. Summary, wish there was a relatively bomb proof brake system in the market, hate broken hoses and replacing calipers that seize, but then again can be hard on these components since I live in a hilly country.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j west
a Cross Country Rider
from edmonton, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | moab slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | rented at poison spider bicycles | | Strengths: | Very responsive. I was sad to have to use my tektro v's when I got back home. Excellent for the slickrock trail. They still worked after I drove the bike into a sandpit nose-first. | | Weaknesses: | None that I could detect. | | Similar Products Used: | tectro v-brakes | | Bike Setup: | I rented a 2005 kona kikapu with mx comp front, fox float rp3 rear, deore lx front, xt rear, hayes nine and sunrims. | | Bottom Line: | Hayes nine are excellent brakes (for xc, at least). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Finch
a Cross Country Rider
from Philly, PA USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | reputation | | Weaknesses: | Completely unreliable. I just got a brand new Santa Cruz with Hayes hydraulics. 20 minutes into my first ride, the front brake seized up completely, endoed the bike and threw me into the woods. | | Bottom Line: | What a rip-off. Right out of the box and they totally malfunctioned! There are pieces of metal falling out of the brake assembly. I went out of my way and over my budget to get these brakes and I am utterly disappointed. The brake is shot and I can't ride for weeks. I could have spent a lot less and not had this problem. Buy Avids, or better yet, use your foot to stop the bike -- it is a lot safer and cheaper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Novatt
a Downhiller
from Santa Barbara california
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | velopro santa barbara | | Bike Setup: | coiler deluxe 04 | | Bottom Line: | get this brake the best power for the best buy plus every bike shope you find will have parts to repair them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dejan
a Cross Country Rider
from yugosalvia
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | dubasnica | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | local dealer | | Strengths: | excelent stoping power,flip-flop lever design,long lever,easy replacable pads,easy to bleed(if you carefully read online manual),detailed manuals for every part | | Weaknesses: | very hard to find parts in eastern europe | | Similar Products Used: | brm430,xt v-brake,formula evoluzione hydraulics,deore hydraulics | | Bike Setup: | front 180mm, rear160mm,xt parts,pilot fork | | Bottom Line: | they are best brakes I ever tried,it is very good that they use easy available DOT3 & DOT4 brake fluids! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimmy smith
a Weekend Warrior
from kansas city ,kansas,usa
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | jack hole | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$245.00 | | Purchased At: | adrenalinebikes | | Strengths: | all | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | hope | | Bike Setup: | trail bike | | Bottom Line: | great product............but trying to work with ADRENALINEBIKES was the worst experince i hade to deal with it took over 2.5 weeks to get the product in after goin round and round with them telling me they shiped it out 3 times..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Ryerson
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord,CA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Lime Ridge Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Encnia Bicycle | | Strengths: | Excellent stopping power. Rode a non stop downhill run down my local Mt. Diablo, 3800 feet total from summit to bottom. No fade, no problems but stock hayes pads are not the best. Koolstop pads are by far a better pad for these brakes. | | Weaknesses: | With stock pads, getting the brakes muddy or wet they vibrate and howell like a mad dog. | | Similar Products Used: | v-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Heckler x-disk | | Bottom Line: | Well worth the money. Need to keep them clean, free of mud and dirt and they will never let you down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ev
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Great stopping. Easy adjustments. Good value. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes gets squeaky. Brake fluid drains easy, when bike is upside down (when working on it). | | Similar Products Used: | v-brakes (they suck!!!) | | Bike Setup: | 2003 giant nrs 3 w/ disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | These are great value brakes. They work fine, just a few little inconveniences. I took the brakes into a bike store and they told me that the brake fluid was leaking out every time I put it upside down, so I guess thats a good excuse for me to finally get a bike stand. They get squeaky every once and awhile and need a bit more maintenence than most brakes, but still not a huge difference. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bell Bird Dell + Moto Course | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Well what can i say...these discs are awesome. Since they are the first pair of discs i have ever used...they seem to kill the good old rim brake. | | Weaknesses: | When i first got them with my new bike, they were squeaking quite a bit but eventually went away. At the moment i'm having difficulties with them :( | | Similar Products Used: | I really want to try Avid. But i don't have the money. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Giant Yukon (stock) | | Bottom Line: | Hayes are good discs and work well, i want to know how to make them better, because at the moment they seem to be loosing thier stoping power and start to squeak again every time i brake. The rear is the one that is troubling me quite a bit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Petaluma, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Annadel | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | Can stop on anything, at any time anywhere, just pull the levers and lean back. Damn does this look bad ass! my cars brakes are only and 1" larger and it weighs 3000+ lbs!!! | | Weaknesses: | I have 9"s so they are loud, cleaning in Simple Green is bad an coats em in crud so a few hard pulls is neccesary to "clean " em off, they do rub a little I guess the brake is just so big it warps a bit if you look at it wrong. Well the first time I rode em I flipped over the bars and made an ass of myslf. | | Similar Products Used: | These are my first discs. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock '04 Marin Rocky Ridge (spd pedalsm, and Avid Roll-A-Majig). | | Bottom Line: | Would reccomend, based on albeit limited experience, I have been very happy once I learned to respect their power. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu
a
from San Diego, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | Mail order | | Strengths: | It stops sometimes. The front stops wellnot so in the rearThis is the Hayes comp which I thought I got a deal on NOT! | | Weaknesses: | Drag Drag Drag. I should carry rocks The brakes rub constantly. At least carring rocks wouldn't cause friction | | Similar Products Used: | V brakes Discs do stop better than v brakes | | Bike Setup: | X country Santa Cruz Superlite XT | | Bottom Line: | Buy something else I have messed with the rotor adjusted and readjusted taken it to the should to be told that I need to put some miles on and the rubbing will go away. HOW MANY! So far I have probably put 100+ miles on and they still rub. I have even purposely tried to drag the brake and then readjust. Next time I'll jusst carry rocks and use better brakes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip Halpern
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | n/a | | Strengths: | Collosal stopping power | | Weaknesses: | Pads stopped fully retracting after about three months of frequent, dusty riding. | | Bottom Line: | Hayes customer service was great. Two LBS's couldn't fix the problem; they suggested I send the brakes to "Quality" to have them overhauled. Seeking a cheaper alternative, I called Hayes to see if they'd do the work for free. They agreed and a week later I received an entirely new set of brakes(!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Waster
a Weekend Warrior
from Newyork
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | very strong, durability | | Weaknesses: | hard setting | | Similar Products Used: | avid | | Bike Setup: | giant xcx with xtr | | Bottom Line: | The best disc brake that i ever used, it is very strong. easy to maintenance and valuable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Heath
a Cross Country Rider
from Melrose
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I am riding on at the time | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | On my bike | | Strengths: | Simplicity, stops ya... | | Weaknesses: | Not much room for adjustments, but who really has time to fix every noise. I prefer to ride... | | Similar Products Used: | Hope, Grimeca, Avid | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Dsi, LX-XTR, Wtb wheelset to 2.25 Hutch DH, First generation Duke SL, rock shok post... | | Bottom Line: | The brakeset works. It came on my Schwinn Moab disc SL Proved to be more of a brake than that bike could handle, that flexy cross country frame never needed these 6" hydro hayes, and the frame was Disc specific... All in all very satisfied with the Pair, if ya ding a rotor then go real fast down a long downhill heat that rotor up she'll stop squealing like a banshie... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jed
a Racer
from Takoma Park Maryland
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great stopping power, great modulation, easy setup, require little to no maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Shmano XT, Magura, Coda | | Bike Setup: | Have them on both of my bikes, a Phil Wood KISS-Off single speed and a Trek Fuel 100. | | Bottom Line: | The best disc brakes money can buy, I think. I have 2 sets of what are now called the HFX Mags, one is 5-6 years old and the other is 3. I have done very little in the way of maintenance except replace pads once a season or so. If you break something, or wear it out, parts are easily available. Everything can be rebuilt.
There are lighter brakes out there for XC, but none seem ot be as reliable or maintenance-free as these. Well worth the money.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robbie G
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tin pin shan | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | HKG | | Strengths: | Stopping power, looks , | | Weaknesses: | Strength | | Similar Products Used: | hope saint | | Bike Setup: | Intense m1 sherman sliders saint brakes intense 30s | | Bottom Line: | Theyre good for the price and thyre looks cant be beat but i was riding dh and went down and the lever ripped right out of the casing!??!?!?!
price and looks are great but if u need something to take abuse then look further | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robbie G
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Tin pin shan | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | HKG | | Strengths: | Stopping power, looks , | | Weaknesses: | Strength | | Similar Products Used: | hope saint | | Bike Setup: | Intense m1 sherman sliders saint brakes intense 30s | | Bottom Line: | Theyre good for the price and thyre looks cant be beat but i was riding dh and went down and the lever ripped right out of the casing!??!?!?!
price and looks are great but if u need something to take abuse then look further | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Bills
a Weekend Warrior
from Allendale, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lakes | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | This review is for the Hayes Comp hydro brakes. They stop you on a dime. Cant beat the power. Also very cheap, i got a whole brand new set (f&r) on ebay for $160. | | Weaknesses: | Very hard to set up. They rub all the time, almost impossible to get them to not rub at all. Ive come to the conclusion that im just going to have to live with a little brake rubbage. Also, not a lot of modulation. | | Similar Products Used: | xt hydrolic hydros | | Bike Setup: | norco sasquatch frame, mavic freeride rims, xt hubs, lx drivetrain, manitou black elite 100mm fork, bontrager stuff. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are great for the money. Yes, they rub a little and occasionally make wierd noises but the stopping power is great and it really dosent make a difference that they rub a little anyways. If your into freeriding or downhilling and dont care so much about modulation, these brakes are perfect. Ive heard since they are the comp version, they are made of cheaper material but they feel very beefy to me and ive crashed many times and they are fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
raimund appel
a Weekend Warrior
from vienna
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | gamshöhe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | bike attack | | Strengths: | good brakepower, affordable, good performance on wet conditions | | Weaknesses: | hard to adjust , i had to bleed it just after 4 months , brkae pads wear off fast | | Similar Products Used: | non disc magura HS33 | | Bike Setup: | kona bear , mx comp , hayes ... | | Bottom Line: | after i was used to the HS 33 for 5 years which made no problems i got rather irritaed when i had to change the front brakepad an disc after the 2. ride . Then after some fights with the adjustment it doesnt make so much noise anymore.
Breakpower is indeed god but, maybe i had just a bad start.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
E Dizzle
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in the river valley | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came with my bike | | Strengths: | good stopping power. stops you on a dime. mine are hayes mx ones and they seem to work quite well. look cool. disc is strong and hard to bend. | | Weaknesses: | pads seem to rub against disk. kinda sqeuaky. | | Similar Products Used: | hayes hfx 9 or wateva | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | these brakes are decent brakes. they sto pyou well and i also perfer mech over hydro brakes for xc riding. with hydros if you pop a line then your toast. mechs rule the school. these brakes are great for any bike and i would reccomend them to anyone | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Relatively cheap and service is available everywhere. They are well known. | | Weaknesses: | They don't stop on a dime. I have adjusted countless times and I have come to the conclusion that I need better brakes. Like others posted the modulation is horrid when compared the HOPE disc brakes. Don't believe when people say the modulation is good. It is inferior to HOPE. The pads also wear down quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes HMX, Grimeca system 8 , Shimano Saint Discs | | Bike Setup: | Front 160mm
Rear 160mm | | Bottom Line: | I bought them when I was getting into biking and needed hydraulics. Now that I have been biking for a few years, I know the difference between a couple disc brakes and must say Hayes has some work to do in order to compete with HOPE Brakes and Shimano SAINT brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything outdoors | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | INCREDIBLE stopping power, reliability, feedback, fade resistance. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, pricey | | Similar Products Used: | Magura hydro rim brakes, Shimano XTR disc. | | Bike Setup: | Joker w/ Mavic XMax disc wheels | | Bottom Line: | This a review update. After another year of weekends in MI, and nasty winter riding, these brakes simply won't give up. They continue to brake powerfully, provide positive feedback, have great modulation, and are reliable as a hammer. I have used the same pads and rotors for over 14mo and the bike still stops on a dime. These brakes and rotors are over 3yrs old! I am lusting after the new models but until these give up the ghost, I can't see replacing something that refuses to fail.
VALUE, VALUE, VALUE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael mckamey
a Cross Country Rider
from bloomington, indiana, USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | nebo ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS W/Bicycle | | Strengths: | great modulation, stopping power | | Weaknesses: | small fluid seep at lever fill plug | | Bike Setup: | cannondale jekyll 800 | | Bottom Line: | LBS set these up WELL, no complaints on usage. my first disc brake system. glad to get rid of the old v-brake on/off braking. i am able to carve a line into a corner and just tap the brakes one or two fingers to bring my bike to a sudden halt. they do a weeping fluid leak at he lever housing, i believe from the little rubber plug there, but i didn't have this problem until after the 30 day free service where the LBS bled the brakes, so not a Hayes problem at all. I am taking it back to LBS this week for fix. i have no doubt it will be fine after that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aldo
a Weekend Warrior
from Milton
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | They came on my bike (bougt it used) | | Strengths: | Very strong, they work great in all conditions, and pads have a good wear time on them. | | Weaknesses: | The levers are crap, the mechanism surrounding the lever breaks easily. | | Bike Setup: | 01 Giant AC2 nothing stock... I don't feel like writting the parts it has... | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are excellent, they work very well in all conditions. I have to bring the value rating down because for their price the levers should be stronger! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
conor
a Cross Country Rider
from usa
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | lots of stopping power, not to heavy | | Weaknesses: | needs constant cleaning, orelse it squeaks and gives less stoping power | | Bike Setup: | 05' raleigh m50 dx (stock parts) | | Bottom Line: | awsome brakes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tyson mcmahon
a Weekend Warrior
from nova scotia
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | almost anything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | so far everything about these are awsome. awsome braking power and it's really easy too nose manual with these brakes, really easy to set up | | Weaknesses: | price | | Bottom Line: | i love these brakes but the arn't cheap, if your sponsered by hayes it's awsome cause if your not your gonna spend alot of money but once you get them on the bike it's worth spending it because they are awsome | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tyson mcmahon
a Weekend Warrior
from nova scotia
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | almost anything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | so far everything about these are awsome. awsome braking power and it's really easy too nose manual with these brakes, really easy to set up | | Weaknesses: | price | | Bottom Line: | i love these brakes but the arn't cheap, if your sponsered by hayes it's awsome cause if your not your gonna spend alot of money but once you get them on the bike it's worth spending it because they are awsome | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DK
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | La Miligrosa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Easy to setup, reliable, good stopping power but not too much, cheap (comp. version). | | Weaknesses: | DOT3 brake fluid. | | Similar Products Used: | Magura Clara | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mt. Slayer, Marzochi Z1 dropoff | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes. I have not had any problems except when the were first delivered to me setup from Supergo. They put the brake fluid in without keeping the pistons in place and they were to far out requiring bleeding otherwise they would drag. Afterwards perfect performance. I have not had to do any work on them. They stop well. I have never had them feel weak or too strong. They modulate well. I first had Claras that came with the bike. These were horrible. I had them fail on me in the middle of a long ride on a downhill section. I thought I was going to eat S#$T! Fortunately I pulled out. The ride back sucked since I only had a rear brake. The Claras dragged from day one and no matter how much fiddling never worked completely drag free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kristina P
a
from Fairfax,VA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Set & forget- consistently reliable and powerful. 6" rotors front and back. | | Weaknesses: | Too much of an on/off feel for me and lever adjustment was ok but not quite what I would like for my small hands. | | Similar Products Used: | First set of disc brakes but have Avid Juicys now | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE, Fox Vanilla, DT Swiss/king hubs, blah, blah, etc. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes have been great but I was looking for more modulation and reach adjustment. The power and reliability are excellent. The only work needed on them was replacing the pads until a couple of months ago when the bladder leaked. It was patched but Hayes wanted $40 for an entire replacement when just a new bladder would have sufficed.
Definitely a great set of brakes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Queens,NYC, U.S.A#1
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Central park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came stock on Liquid 20 | | Strengths: | Tremendous stopping power. Very reliable, probably the best hyd.braking system around. My set came installed CORRECTLY on my TREK Liquid 20 and work just like brakes found on motorcycles. I highly recommend this product. have friends with shimano disc brakes-nothing but trouble and high maintanance. | | Weaknesses: | NONE---should come standard on more trek products. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Liquid 20 w/ XT front and rear derailler and XTR shifter,Psylo race fork(stiffer spring), Fox Talas R,Bontrager crank----AWESOME SETUP_PERIOD! | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Yokosuka, Japan
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Super Go | | Strengths: | Outstanding Stopping Power, Excellent Durability, Great price. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Mechanical Breaks. | | Bike Setup: | Cultech Japan - Pikes Peak, Rock Shox Psylo, Hayes HFX Comp Disc, Deore LX Shifters, Deore Drive Train, Mavic 221, Pacaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 tires, FSA The Pig. | | Bottom Line: | The Brakes are friggin AWESOME!!! They literally stop on a dime, they have so much power for what you get, nothing compares to these things, after this I'll never go back to any other type of brakes ever again, hayes is the way to go when going for hydralic disc brakes, high stopping power and durability.
Even out of the box these were still more powerful then my mechanical disc brakes, even though they weren't broken in, so far they just keep getting more powerful with use, until they are fully broken in.
Will post again in a couple of months. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Va
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Candlers Mtn, Va | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Stopping power (when they work). | | Weaknesses: | They dont always work. Unreliable. | | Bottom Line: | The Hayes Hydrolics came with my new 2003 Trek Liquid. This is the second full set of rears to be put on in warranty. The first set had indications of needing bleeding and the bike shop replaced them. The current set has developed a 'catch' where the lever will go in part way and stop, not engaging the break. All in all I am extremely displeased with Hayes breaks. If you need your breaks to be reliable 100% of the time I would avoid Hayes hydrolics. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Monarch Crest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | *reliable
*great feel
*consistent power
*long pad wear
*good lever shape | | Weaknesses: | *sloppy levers
*heavy
*industrial looking
| | Similar Products Used: | Avid, HFX-9 | | Bottom Line: | Next to no maintenance in about 2k miles, aside from changing the pads. There's a tiny bit of lever pump when descents get long and steep, but in short, a great product. The only issue is the sloppy levers which I can deal with considering the quality of the rest of it. I have yet to try anything else that comes close to these. They're on the expensive side and the levers get pretty sloppy so I have to give 'em 4 chilies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Once set up CORRECTLY never need adjustment unless you bend a rotor in a crash or large branch etc. You must read the online manual to learn how to properly center the calipers - many reviewers just don't know how to work with disk brakes. There are lots of tricks to getting things tuned in just right - like using business cards to shift fluid from the reservoir to the main system. Also, for some strange reason, people seem to think that any brake should just pop onto any frame and fork - NOT! There are subtle variations in frame and fork welds that necessitate the use of shimming washers to get the calipers perfectly positioned - if you're lucky you won't need to shim but it's NORMAL if you do. Once you get these brake on right (which really isn't hard even for the most mechanically challenged individuals) they NEVER need adjustment unless you damage something. | | Weaknesses: | People writing bad reviews because they don't know how to set up, adjust, and maintain disk brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Formula, Avid Mech, Magura - surprised this trash came from Germany - for Christ's sake you can't even hang you bike up with Maguras because they leak so bad. | | Bike Setup: | CDale Jekyll 1000, XTR, Lefty DLR 100mm, Fox Float RL. | | Bottom Line: | These aren't the lightest brakes out there but after looking at the flimsy construction of other lighter brakes (Formula), I'd rather have a few extra grams than deal with bent rotors, handle flex, broken handles, caliper flex etc etc. These things can take SERIOUS abuse - just take a look at what you local downhillers are using - Hayes. I spent two days riding the Ganjala up Killinton mountain in VT and watched my friends go through multiple rim brake pads - I'm still on my original set. I've had the system for 2 years and have not had to adjust them except after BAD crashes. Water, mud, leaves, twigs, and extreme descents are not an issue - although they will moan when wet or very hot. Power and modulation is perfect - I use two fingers only and never get tired (I weigh 200lbs). I keep hearing these panzies complain about the paint - who cares about the paint??? It's a MOUNTAIN BIKE not a Picaso - sheeesh!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
reno
a Cross Country Rider
from campbell river,b.c.
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | i'm not telling | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | superb braking, good looks, easy installation,geat value (never go cheap on brakes!) | | Weaknesses: | crummy instructions,otherwise none | | Similar Products Used: | v brakes | | Bottom Line: | These are the hayes composit model .I read that quite a few reviewers had problems with drag and noise,I found that if you follow the directions and tips found online,they were a easy and good install. the only complaint i have is that every time you take the wheels off, you have to readjust your frigging brakes.I noticed that some guys claimed that these brakes would send you over the bars and some mentioned that they had to pull harder than expected,I found that I never had to put that much effort into these brakes,but I wouln't say these brakes will put me over the bars, unexpectedly anyway.no drag,no leaks,no grief, just great brakes!!!. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
csainthenry
a Racer
from Bloomington, IN
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Nebo Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | B&B Kirk's | | Strengths: | Came with bike - pre-bled, cut, no setup req'd! Very reliable. Install it and forget it. The way things should be. Excellent custome service. I broke the hood at a NCS race, went to the Hayes tent, and they gave me a free hood, and installed it at no cost. I was the only XC racer to break one that weekend, and my shin has the scar to prove it. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've found. | | Similar Products Used: | Formula Evoluzione(funky), V-brakes, Cantilevers | | Bike Setup: | Haro Escape 8.3, Carbon post, EA70 stem, RF cranks/BB, Z.5 fork, XT/XO drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | These are great XC brakes. I would reccomend them to anyone but an extreme weight weenie. Install it and forget it...also work when strapped to your handlebars with zip tie if the hood breaks. Unbelieveable on-site customer service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Markus
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Mounting is easy. | | Weaknesses: | Moderate braking power. Poor quality coating. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano V brake (before), Hope Mini (afterwards). | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail frame, Manitou Mars forks, Hayes FH with 6" rotors. | | Bottom Line: | Braking power - especially in wet conditions - is significantly better than that provided by a V brake. Yet it does not fulfill my expectations as I always needed two fingers for braking with the FH, and sometimes I had to pull levers quite hard.
The matte black paint is by far the poorest quality coating I have ever experienced: Driving the screws led to first blank areas. Now I noticed that the coating of the right hand lever housing shows strange bubbles and can be peeled off with a fingernail. (No, there was never a leak.) Finally almost have of the housing is blank.
Overall I give two chilis for not leaking and not squeaking too much. With regard to value one chili is adequate as the brakes are not only poor quality but also have been rather expensive.
If the Hayes comes with your bike, you may try it. If you are looking for an aftermarket upgrade, disregard this brake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A.P.
a Cross Country Rider
from Franklin Park, NJ
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | Durable, dependable, solid construction. Always work in any conditions - mud, water, dirt - even when clogged with sticks and leaves. | | Weaknesses: | Get out of here! | | Similar Products Used: | Avid mechanicals. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher and Jekyll 1000 | | Bottom Line: | This is the last stop for dependable brakes, search no more. Put them on your bike and get out there and ride!! They will never fail you. So stop reading this and get moving!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
woolpainter
a Weekend Warrior
from san francisco, ca
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | In two years I have replaced one set of pads. Literally zero maintenance or a need to bleed. | | Weaknesses: | yet to be identified | | Similar Products Used: | Avid, Formula | | Bike Setup: | Fuel '02 | | Bottom Line: | I am 6' 3", 220lbs, ride a lot, and these brakes have yet to fail me. Seroisuly in two years these have not made a peep, rotor has yet to warp, I have not touched these less replacing one set of brake pads. These are the brakes that all others are judged by. Popularity of these leadends to pads being carried just about every bike shop. Low maintenance. What more can you ask for?
They came stock on my bike, but I would strongly suggest to others whom are in the category above to consider these. Save if you have to -- and whatever decision you make choose anything but a Formula product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. Brouwers
a Weekend Warrior
from Wouw, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with rocks roots and heights | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Plons | | Strengths: | brakepower (when set up properly)
brake performance in wet (like al disc brakes)
looks | | Weaknesses: | bleeding sucks
paint sucks (maybe due to the fact it is using DOT oil, which rips the paint of anything) | | Similar Products Used: | Avid V's, Magura Julie, Promax | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro 2001, Hayes Mag 2002 6" front and rear, MX Comp fork | | Bottom Line: | My front brake has never been bled and it rocks. Good stopping power.
My rear brake has been bled twice now and brake power is still poor. I just bled it again and it didn't make any difference. I used the original Hayes bleeding set and followed all instructions perfectly. I hate bleeding these brakes! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan Roeder
a Downhiller
from Germany
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bike Attack Lenzerheide /CH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike | | Strengths: | I use the Hayes on my Gemini 2000 /w Super T. and 8" rotors and have to say that they work excellent ! I did the Bike Attack Freeride-Marathon (19 Miles) at Lenzerheide this year and they did their duty. Precise braking in every situation. I changed the pads once after three days on practicing/training on the course and it was just to go in the race with nearly new brake pads.The 8" rotor gives some extra power and for freeriding / dh I can recommend them very much ! | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Formular Disc brakes with 8" rotor but they had not the same power like the Hayes. | | Bike Setup: | Gemini 2000 /w Super T.; Fox RC; XT derailleur, XT-Cranks; Mavic 321 Disc and 2.65" Ninja Vee Rubber. | | Bottom Line: | The Hayes do their deed at freeride and Dh. Easy to handle and easy to adjust. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere I can Ride | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS ( but they went belly-up) | | Strengths: | Hayes marketing did a great job. Looks Nice. Great levers. Ok, great modulation. | | Weaknesses: | Torx bolts that strip. Rotors so thin they warp with moderate use. Hard to adjust calipers so rotors don't drag. | | Bike Setup: | Trek '02 Fuel 90 Disk with some upgrades to XT components before I left the store. Otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I wish I had the option to pick what hydraulic brakes that was included in the bike. From day one the rotors dragged and howled like a banshee. I did the mandatory burnishing and installed the Trek frame stabilizer and got rid of the howling. But, I have been adjusting the calipers since I had the bike and I have never been able to get rid of the drag. The rotors warped almost from the beginning and made a bad thing even worse. Bottom line? I would never spend $$ on the Hayes: the rotors are wimpy, the calipers don't have enough adjustment latitude to them. I will give them 2 hot chillis for making others who don't know better green with envy; but I take 1 back for making me carry the weight when it doesn't work properly. Overall, 1...for fooling me into thinking it was a good thing. No one should have to buy them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Northern Black Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stops well | | Weaknesses: | Way to much maintenance, too expensive to fix, dodgy parts, not reliable. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8900 | | Bottom Line: | Wouldn't buy these. They came with the bike but I'm now contemplating selling and replacing with Magura or Shimano discs or even V's. If they fail again I will. When they work I have no problem, I weigh 220 and do a lot of steep downhill but in 4 years of moderate riding (I do 50/50 MTB and road) I have had to have these fixed twice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tortoise
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | These things are a piece of junk, I can't say enough about what had gone wrong.
First these brakes wouldn't hold the bleed at all. They leaked hydraulic fluid since the day I bought them. I have had problems with fluid leaking at the caliper and near the resevoir by the brake lever.
Brake levers will constantly stick when I am riding and Ihave to push on the lever to release the brake.
The discs themselves seem like they warp, I am having a lot of problems with excess drag. I can realigned everything but after a nice hard ride they start dragging again.
These things are spendy too, way overpriced...you are better off with V-Brakes, I am not joking. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Enduro FSR | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT BUY THESE BRAKES WHATEVER YOU DO, THEY ARE A JOKE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a
from lakeville
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Smooth feel. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, unreliable, poor quality, not as powerful as Avids. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Mechanicals (cheaper, more powerful, more reliable, easy to adjust) | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight, x-vert, hayes superlight disc hubs, velocity VXC rims | | Bottom Line: | I was bitterly dissapointed with these. I put them on my bike last August, and for 10 months I was frustrated, and often without brakes. Something was always wrong with them. As soon as I fixed one problem, three rides later something else was wrong. I replaced a piston in the rear lever. I replaced a leaking hose (plus the pads it contaminated). I replaced the pads 2 more times in 9 months and I was riding very little. I replaced a disk that looked like I must have used it on my truck. I replaced a cracked conector thingy between the hose and lever. All of this stuff cost way too much money, and with the exception of the rotor and pads, everything involved another bleed. Plus there were countless bleedings as I tried to determine what needed to be replaced.
I also did not like the fact that I was constantly having to adjust the levers. as the brakes heated up, the levers would move out.
Also, the front caliper did not line up right with the rotor. The pads sat too far onto the rotor. I think that is why my rotor looked so f'ed up. It was a Manitou fork, and it was supposed to fit as is. I ended up shimming it out to fit correctly. I assumed it was a problem with the fork, but the Avids I replaced the Hayes with lined up perfectly.
Earlier this summer I thought I had finally solved all my problems with the brakes, and got about 5 or so good rides in. Then, on a long downhill (for which I bought these things to start with) my front brake started smoking, and I lost the brake from then on. I've heard two reasonable explanations as to where my brakes went, both involve boiling hydraulic fluid, both involved more money.
I decided that I would not spend one more dime on these things, and instead bought a used set of Avid mechanicals with Avid levers. These are noticably more powerful than the Hayes ever were. I've tried Hayes on other bikes, and they are not as powerful as the Avids. I have ridden the Avids for 2 months now, including a day of DH, and these things work flawlessly and consistently. I am grinning ear to ear.
I have heard that many folks have good luck with Hayes, and never have to touch them once set up. This has just not been my experience. Also, the one close riding buddy I have that also has Hayes has had his share of problems as well, though not as ridiculous as mine.
I have to give a 1 value rating because they are expensive (I had the Mag levers), and (IMO) clearly inferior to a disk brake system costing half as much.
I'll give then a 1 in overall rating because they caused the most hassle out of anything I have ever put on my bike. It is the worst money I have ever spent on biking. If someone gave me a set for free, I'd still go out and buy a set of Avids instead. These just sucked.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George that guy
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | RatPack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Center Cycle, Renton | | Strengths: | Montrous stopping power - rolling at around 10 miles per hour, the front brake will bring things instantly to a stop, lifting the rear wheel off the ground, maybe even throwing one over the bars. At high speed, they are smooth, easy to control, and very powerful - careful with the rear - things can get a little twitchy. | | Weaknesses: | Alignment is very key - mine was off at first and the brake pad housing was rubbing against the rotor causing terrible noise and actually grinding away at the assembly. They are not as quiet as I would like, and they have some drag, but people say those wear off as time passes. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Giant MPH hydros on my old Warp DS-1 | | Bike Setup: | '03 Cannondale Gemini 900, LX/XT, etc. All stock | | Bottom Line: | They are powerful - don't buy them if you tend to grab the levers - they bring things to a stop with remarkable efficiency. They are noisy and drag at first - tweak them to solve these problems. They are simple to work with given the simple design and the accessability of the brake pads. They are more downhiller brakes than XC brakes.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA.
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Local moderate stuff | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | These Hayes Comp hydros came on my 2002 Gary Fisher big sur. I got an excellent deal on the bike, and therefore the disks. When you pull the levers, they plain stop you cold....and i'm 6'1 220. | | Weaknesses: | Drag, drag, and more drag. Look, I know that with proper maintenance these things work. But god damn, who has the time to &%$# with these things constantly. When you go for a ride, you shouldn't have to worry about set up as much as I find myself doing on these brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano mechanicals, Avids, etc. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Gary Fisher Big Sur. Stock so far, love the bike (weight, etc.) Have a love hate relationship with the brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Here's the Dealio, these brakes stop you like the 3rd wire on an aircraft carrier, but you better be damn willing to invest the time and heartache to work on them ( constantly). And when your exhausted half way through your next 4 mile climb, the sound of the drag is a real motivation burner. You know there's wasted energy going into these brakes. If the trade off is worth it, get em. But I put more time into working on these brakes then I do on my Porsche 928. The bottom line is that if your good at working on your bike, fairly mechanically inclined, and don't mind the before ride preflight safety inspection, go for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ridethebike
a Cross Country Rider
from Freehold nj
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ringwood | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | speedgoat | | Strengths: | Very easy to set up and bleed. The hose length is user adjustable and is easy on the paint. | | Weaknesses: | pivot for lever becomes loose | | Similar Products Used: | XTR V Weinnman 750 center pulls | | Bike Setup: | RazorRock levers, Titus switchblade, Fox vanilla fork | | Bottom Line: | 3 years of almost daily riding. I'm finally posting a review. We all know the advantages of disc.
Been a great 3 years. Yea you have to set em up and bleed them, but not really a big deal. I have been using EBC green pads for 2 years, they are less aggressive than the hayes pads, but for CC riding are just fine. More downhill types should stay with the stock pads.
The Razorrock levers are a nice upgrade. The levers are shorter than stock and allow for 1 finger use.
If I were to nitpick I would like to see no adapters and all the bolts needed to mount the calipers. This would save some weight also.
Overall Hayes have been great for me, would recommend them to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike mike
a Downhiller
from huntsville
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | muskoka bike shop | | Strengths: | thy'll stop u on a dime | | Weaknesses: | SQUEAK | | Similar Products Used: | avid | | Bike Setup: | giant ac2 | | Bottom Line: | the breaks are great but i think it;s the pad that are squeaking soo i'll just change them and it'll probably be better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from McMinnville, OR
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$179.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Reliable and consistent braking always wet or dry | | Weaknesses: | Original Hayes pads squealing intially when wet | | Similar Products Used: | V brakes | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | I am writing this review as a follow up to a review that I wrote last year. The original Hayes pads squealed when wet. I tried sanding them with some success but always the same thing... Once they were worn out I replaced the origianl Hayes pads with "Koolstop" disc brake pads. I couldn't be more pleased! I have been running them for about 3 months now and have NEVER squealed! I liked my Hayes disc brakes before but now I don't have any complaints about squealing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Perfect modulation 100% consistent feel in any conditions (even underwater) no adjustments no hassle, and will stop you so fast they will throw you on the pavement. | | Weaknesses: | Learn how to reset them with business cards and you are golden. This is a once a month deal but incredibly minor. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid sd7, SD 3 | | Bike Setup: | NRS1 Sram 9.0 Mavic 217 w/XT hubs XT cranks F. Der. Thompson post, Titec stem, Judy SL and the wonderful Hayes bombers. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are the bomb for a bigger rider. I am 6'5" and 230 and was getting terrible hand fatiuge with the Avids but this was the miracle cure. I could not be happier. I ride my brakes a lot and there have not been any premature wear problems. Get them but get used to them before you go flying down a hill because when you GRAB them your wheels will stop turning period. If you are used to V brakes you will be examining the pavement. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno, NV ex SF Bay area USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere without snow at the moment | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | Came with my Giant NRS | | Strengths: | Fabulous stopping power and great modulation | | Weaknesses: | Can be finicky to set up. Stock pads squeak (get a set of EBC's) | | Similar Products Used: | Coda, V Brakes | | Bike Setup: | My life's a Blur. Fox Talas RL, Fox air, King hubs, Hayes Discs, Mavic rims w/tubes, WTB 2.24 Mutanos, Phil Wood BB, Race Face Next cranks, XTR shifting goodies, Easton bars | | Bottom Line: | I got these brakes with my Giant NRS and have loved them from the moment I stood the bike on the front wheel. I took them off my old bike and put them on my new one...if you are going to sacrifice a little weight for something this is it.
Dump the stock pads and get some EBC's. On some replacement pads you may have to sand down the new pad a little to prevent drag at first. Take the time to fiddle with the set up and alignment and they will work flawlessly.
Gripes? If you lose a plastic lever pin collar you have to buy the whole stinking lever PIN kit for $7.00. Replacement parts are costly. Otherwise they'd get the full 5 chilis on the value scale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clive
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | Great Stopping Power, especially in the mud, slime and water. | | Weaknesses: | The disks them selves can not take much punishment. Bent my front disk in the first season. Not sure what I hit, but did not notice until I got home and was cleaning. Expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight- loaded | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes, but the price needs to come down. The disks need to take some abuse without bending. I think they have lightened them, but they are weaker because of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mat Miller
a
from Green Bay, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | That's tough | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Unreal Cycles | | Strengths: | They are the best. No drag. Easy to work with! STRONG! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Mechs/V-Brakes sys. | | Bike Setup: | '98 K2 Animal-Stratos MX-6/Sun Ringle/ChrisK, Hayes Purple DH | | Bottom Line: | They are the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haro
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | NC Forest, Ocala, Alafia | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | MTBR | | Strengths: | They work! They are reliable and adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | More expensive than v-breaks to fix or service (as are all disk systems)
| | Similar Products Used: | no similar breaks used | | Bike Setup: | Hayes Hydrolic front & back, Helix Pro 6", Manitou x-vert, FSR, Time Attacks, Thompson | | Bottom Line: | They work! They came on the bike and I love them.
I have set back break to grip quickly, I can whip around switchbacks easily.
Set front to be soft to prevent endos and allow steering control on extreme decents.
I do have occational rubbing on long downhills when the breaks heat up usually do to alignment needing adjustment (easy fix)
They work great in muddy swamps, rocks, rain etc.
You do have to be a bit more careful not to crash the hand girps (fluid resevoir is in the grip) AND NEVER SQUEEZE THE BREAKS WHEN THE TIRE IS OFF THE BIKE. It screws up your adjustment. I understand this is only a problem on hydrolics, not mechanical... I perfer hydrolics for ease in adjustability.
When it comes to rabid downhills - keep the knuckheads with v-breaks away.. they can't stop or control decents as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben VanSlander
a Cross Country Rider
from Salem Or USA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gonzo | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Santiam | | Strengths: | Good stopping power levers never fade no matter how long im on them | | Weaknesses: | setup and every time i take off my wheel to transport my bike the brakes never line back up rigt on the front they drag like the caliper is out of whack no big deal | | Similar Products Used: | avid arch v brakes | | Bike Setup: | Kona roast big dropper | | Bottom Line: | Sweet setup never had any real set backs and i ride almost every day and pound on the brakes hard and they always have the same power | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything outdoors | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$185.00 | | Purchased At: | On line | | Strengths: | Incredible stopping power; great modulation; lever has nice feel; brake system gives good feedback; all-weather, all-condition control. Pads are easy to replace. | | Weaknesses: | May be tricky to setup initially. Doesn't use mineral oil. Could be lighter. | | Similar Products Used: | Magura hydraulics. | | Bike Setup: | CrossMax tubeless disc wheels on a Joker. | | Bottom Line: | Wow- once setup correctly, this brake system is SWEET! The only trick is to pick the proper adapter and seat the brakes correctly- not too difficult.
The power is incredible and the modulation is very nice. Unless you really want to, it's tough to over-brake and endo. Otherwise, you can apply as much stopping power as you need/want. Additionally, if you're easing the brakes to slow down, there's always plenty of reserve power left for an emergency stop.
The brake cables are tough and have retained their resiliance. The levers have a nice positive feel. Overall, Hayes deserve all the credit they're getting for this brake set. Aside from being on the heavy side, they are top performers and have great reliability. When a product performs as advertised, that's value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kaspar
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunapee, NH USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Webb's Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Bob Skinners | | Strengths: | incredible stopping power in any conditions, good for downhilling or cross-country riding, beats any other brakes out there, the list goes on and on... | | Weaknesses: | nothing so far | | Similar Products Used: | v-brakes before getting a new bike | | Bike Setup: | 02' giant nrs 1 | | Bottom Line: | if you can afford it, buy 'em, cause its worth the extra cash...the best stopping power in any brakes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bRad
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$249.00 | | Strengths: | THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE HFX COMP (composite master cylinder and bodies)
Low maintenance
Awesome stopping power | | Weaknesses: | THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE HFX COMP (composite master cylinder and bodies)
Composite bodies not as strong as original metal ones, subject to breakage.
Levers rattle around iside the bodies, its like Chinese water torture.
Do not overtighten onto your handlebars. Metal screw into a plastic body... go figure. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid mechs. Regular Hayes HFX. | | Bike Setup: | 02 Giant AC2, 8" rotors. | | Bottom Line: | THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE HFX COMP (composite master cylinder and bodies) there was no post for the Comp.
If you want Hayes performance without paying $195.00 per wheel, these are for you. You can purchase a SET (front and rear) for $249.00. It is the same thing as the original HFX, just made with a cheaper,less strong composite material. If you are a freerider or subject your equipment to extreme abuse you may want to get the original. One good crash on some rocks and the plastic body could be gone. I have ridden these for a solid year, expecting to break them at some point but they have survived some nasty crashes and dropped from 6'ladders too. Bailed on several jumps and watched my bike tumble end over end and still no damage. Pads last a good year even in the worst conditions. Great product, not quite as STRONG as the original. The rattle is kind of annoying but it stops when you grab em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Hastings, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Memorial | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Easy to install, power of brakes, ability to feather or modulate brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Need to have more than two brain cells to install. | | Similar Products Used: | None, first set of discs. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized M4 Comp | | Bottom Line: | These are the HFX series brakes. After spending much time debating the cost, and weight penalty of disc brakes I figured it was time to see if the benefits outweighed those two issues. Well, after waiting for a nice day in Janurary (50F in Minnesota is rare)I was able to give the brakes a good trial today. I was smiling like a kid at christmas. They really are worth the money. The performance is outstanding and they have only seen 20 miles. After ridding around town for a couple of miles to make sure everything was working correctly, I headed for the trail. I climbed up to the top of the trail, did a couple of loops and rode down a long hill with the brakes applied. I am really impressed with the power, and modulation of these brakes. I am not a bike mechanic and installed these brakes with relative ease. The whole key to installing parts correctly is taking the time to read ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS. I would recommend printing out the instructions from the Hayes web site, read them a couple of times, and then install. A torque wrench is needed and one can be bought from sears for around twenty dollars. A bike stand was an essential part to centering the rotors in the caliper. Centering the calipers was a little tedious but if you read some of the other reviews they will be very helpful. What worked for me was using two business cards placed between the pads and the calipers. Put the cards in, squeeze the lever, and tighten the bolts. After initial installation I have zero noise and drag. If all the other reviewers are correct they should improve even more after around 100 miles. The only issue I have is that the rear brake feels a little soft as compared to the front, but I bought them assembled and have not bleed them. If this is still the case after 100 miles I will bleed the rear. These are not for DOWNHILLERS. If you can't read (and I wonder with the way some of you spell)have a QUALITY bike shop do them for you. Just take your time follow the instructions and enjoy. A great product for x-c riders and give the highest Chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Head Rector
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike (Fitzroy Cycles) | | Strengths: | Stopping power, relatively low maintenance(who cares if there's a bit when they work this well), never failed. | | Weaknesses: | None as yet and i've been riding hard for 6months...taking em in for the first service next week. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Vs??? | | Bike Setup: | 02Specialized P.3,Marzocchi Z5, Hayes 6",XT/LX, Sun Single Track | | Bottom Line: | When i first got on these it was after riding Vs and Cantis for many years. At first i wasn't too impressed...hey everything has a break-in period. They got much better but i didn't really notice...i wasn't all too sure if they were worth the trouble i'd heard they could bring. Then i hopped on a friends Kona Stuff with Avid Vs...i hadn't realised how much better the Hayes actually were!!! Even though they need a rotor clean and a bit of a tweak now they still run infinitely better than any V-brak system i've ever ridden. GO DISC...GO HAYES!!!...if uve got the money that is... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
buzz
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin Ca.
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes in San Rafael | | Strengths: | Stopping power in the rain and mud. | | Weaknesses: | Amazingly I am waiting for something to go wrong. Nothing yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Had Avid rim brakes before. They were good too but not like this in mud and rain. | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mtn. Element. Been a great bike so far!! | | Bottom Line: | I ride approx. 4 days a week and always off road. It has been raining quite hard for all of December and the trails are wet and muddy. I fully expected some drop-off in braking power and am in shock that no matter how much mud and water I ride through, the Hayes stop me as if it were dry. I did have a cable break, but that was my fault. These brakes are worth the money and more!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Personal Info
a Downhiller
from Moab
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | snoqualmie pass world cup DH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | WIde spread knowledge - everyone knows about hayes so youll always find help | | Weaknesses: | hard to adjust, not must adjustability, pricey | | Similar Products Used: | XTR Vee brakes, Avid Mechanical | | Bike Setup: | Bullitt, XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | THe reputatation is the most important. If you ride hope and you guiy riding and brake them who the hell knows how to fix hope or carries any hope parts??? Not many people do, Hayes on the other hand is exactly the opposite. Of course the company will have problems, but can we really expect a "perfect brake" everything will always have glitches. And for now the best is hayess hydros. Avid mechanical's are hard to feather, they get sticky so your afraid to touch them, those are crap, my hayes have been great and so will yours... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe therider
a Cross Country Rider
from the east coast
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all kinds | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | mail order | | Strengths: | incredible power. dont pump up too much on long decents.dont need too much maintenence. | | Weaknesses: | rotors can bendin crashes, dust can cause the pistons to stick and rub on rotors(un common but happens) | | Similar Products Used: | codas they were not like hayes...at all | | Bike Setup: | who cares | | Bottom Line: | a few minor problems but still well worth the investment.these brakes have never failed me and i ride all year in all kinds of sh1t conditions.Buy them and ride safe READ DIRT RAG | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loi
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Adjustability is a no brainer. A lot simpler than Avids (not that its hard either). POWER! POWER! POWER! POWER! Nice smooth lever feel vs. mechanical/cable-actuated. POWER! | | Weaknesses: | I'm scared of having to bleed it. Expensive adapters! Expensive adapters! Expnesive adapters! | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Disc Brakes | | Bike Setup: | 2001 GT Ruckus, Marz DJ1, Hayes 8"/6", DEORE/LX/XTR, Salsa Bashring, Syncros DH Bar, Syncros SeatPost, SDG Satellite Saddle, Sun SingleTrack Rims, Sun ZUZU Pedals, Panaracer Fire XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | After it breaks in. The power is awesome. The feel is a lot better than the avid (mechanical what do you expect). Power is equivalent or better than avids. I have 8" up front, and that's where you notice the diff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XC KID
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso Baby!!!!! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Best Shop In Canada | | Strengths: | first off that price is canadian and for both wheels. secondly all u guys who dont like the barake gave goess suck a nut.they are proven over time and are the best brake on the market | | Weaknesses: | NONE. screw the XTR they use mineral oil for god sakes.they are crap(i would use harsher language but no one will read it soooo i try to be nice) | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes HMX1 mechanical, ive rideen XTR are the mechanical are more powerful, with less drag | | Bike Setup: | 02 Giant NRS 2 titec cockpit manitou black comp, mavic cross max tubless disc(o ya)race face turbine cranks | | Bottom Line: | XTR=CRAP
HAYES=AMAZING u cant buy a better brake and if your pads are draging learn how to fix ur dam bike. holy crap im 15 and i already am a mechanic at a bike shop soo if i can install hydralic disc brakes then u can at least learn how to take care of your investment. oh ya and i would give them 99999999999999999999999999999999999999 flaming lumps of crap!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Bergen
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, NE.
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Everything except initial break in period. | | Weaknesses: | Initial break in period. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes (and I assume other disc brakes), are meant to work in more extreme like comditions. Don't mean just in bad weather. Hilly, long descents, etc. Meant to work hot. Hotter these things get, better they work. If you just want to ride urban areas, you will dislike these brakes. However, when the trail turns steep, these are the real deal. Longer you "drag" them, the better they feel. Cannot say that about any other brake. When your heading down a steep mountain, where you'll be abusing normal brakes to the point of failure, these things don't even brake a sweat. I don't hear any drag, or other noises, when I am riding actual "singletrak". However, in local neighborhood, they are a little noisy. 4 chilis for value, they are expensive, 5 chilis overall. They have worked great for almost two years. Would buy again at any price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Gramp
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fairhills MD | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Lightwieght, Strong, Looks like a bicycle brake lever not a motorcycle lever | | Weaknesses: | Loud noises come from the brakes and they drag. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore Hydro | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are strong. I can' get them lined up/centered on the disks. They rub and cause a dragging feeling. Not bad though, but I notice the dragging after about 15 miles of riding. I think I just need to bleed the brakes and push the pad holder thingys all the way back and start from scratch. I just changed the pads (hayes pads only) and think that once they self adjust out they can't go back to normal without bleeding the brakes. They never used to do that before I changed pads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC CANADA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | I'm not fricking telling you!!! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Came OEM on bike - West Point Cycles | | Strengths: | Holy fricking mother of god!!! Uh, yeah, easy on the front brake sonny. Glad I was wearing baggy shorts the first time I hit the brakes. Wow. Very cool. Wet, dry, muddy, no problemo. | | Weaknesses: | Bit squawky when breaking them in. Still getting used to the sound they make when they're a wee bit dirty. Sounds like some guy pulling out his whatever to cut me to shreds. The levers were quite wobbly at first, but the wrench guys put in some micro shims and now they feel just as crisp as the more shi-shi Hayes brakes. I've got the basic 6" ones, but was droolin' over the 8" ones. uhhhhh..... | | Similar Products Used: | Are you kidding????!!! I thought I liked my DiaComp986s, then I thought I liked my straight pull Shimanos, then I thought that I liked my Maguras. Shya! | | Bike Setup: | Brodie Rocket, SRAM 9.0spring assist shifters, 9.0SL rear, 2.5 knobbers, WTB Downhill rims, blah blah, except for my old rastabag. Some wanker stole my rasta-bag when he stole my Specialized M2FS. | | Bottom Line: | I really, really, really, really like my new Hayes brakes. The only thing I don't like is the feeling that I'm going to keep going when my bike stops. If you ride the Shore in any weather conditions ie:rain, snow, sleet, sun, yuppie invasion these are the brakes for you. And yes, I catch myself checking out the way they look whiie I'm riding. They do look pretty cool. Stopping power with wicked awesome style. What more could you ask for? Yum. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsfield, MA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Portuguese | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Berkshire Bike & Blade | | Strengths: | So far, hard to find any. The pads need to be centered. They squeak when wet. The best thing about them is that they appear to be getting stronger as they wear. | | Weaknesses: | Cheesy plastic lever housings. This is the HFX Comp brakeset. It came with my Giant AC Air Lite. I love the bike, but broke the cheap plastic housing. You can't email Hayes warranty support either. They have a phone number with an answering machine. LBS says they won't replace the item for me. | | Similar Products Used: | Only V Brakes. | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC Air Lite, Race Face, XTR/XT mix, Psylo fork, Sid shock, Hayes hydros. | | Bottom Line: | I think in time, they'll be good brakes...if I replace the levers with magnesium ones. Why they went plastic, I'll never know. I will have to learn to service them. The pads need to be centered. The front rotor appears to be slightly warped. 4 flaming turds because some of this is my inexperience with disc brakes. They'd get 5 if the levers weren't plastic and if they were more user friendly - meaning I wouldn't have to center the pads! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew M
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver BC Canada
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Excellent Braking power, pads last a whole season not two weeks, Calipers and lever bodies have lasted since early '99, | | Weaknesses: | those little silver levers break and bend... tired of bending them back | | Similar Products Used: | Hope (mmmmm...), Shimano and Grimenca, Magura Julie and Louise | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn 4-banger w/ fox rear shock, Fox Forx RLC, Profile Cranks, Profile Hubs, 8" front rotor, 6" rear rotor | | Bottom Line: | I've had these brakes on 3 different bikes, a '99 Cannondale F-2000 to replace the Coda's, A '00 Kona Roast single speed with a 6" Jr.T, and now a '00 Schwinn 4-banger with 5+" rear and 5" front...
They've never failed on a ride (Coda), gotten spongy on a long downhill (Shimano), varied in lever engagement point (Magura), and I can go to almost any bike shop in BC and buy a replacement lever (Hope)...
They aren't neccesarily the best brake on every single day... the 8" front is very powerful but doesn't have the refined feel of a Shimano or Hope... but they are consistent, they work hard... and a trail rider like myself who likes to climb, and do 5 footers but never races anything but his buddies can't go wrong with the things | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug rabaut
a Cross Country Rider
from grosse pointe
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | maybury | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | bike tech | | Strengths: | I work at a bike shop so I get the newest stuff often and cheaply. When adjusted right these work great. They stopp very quickly. | | Weaknesses: | They will ride smooth and then all of a sudden will start rubbing horribly not even on the trail! The other problem is that the brake fluid strips the paint on your brakes and they look like SH@T. The mounting bolts for the disc are cheap and can easily strip. The disc and pads also contaminate very easily. Because of these problems I am buying the 2003 XTR disc brakes sweet!! | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes mechanical | | Bike Setup: | Full xtr, chris king xyclone disc, hayes, easton, thomson, hutchinson, selle italia, sid race carbon, fox float rl, gt i-drive. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes work well but need some fixing and tuning. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lukasz
a Cross Country Rider
from CT
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | don't have one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | It came stock on my new bike 2003 Giant Iguana Disc | | Strengths: | You got to love them. one finger is enough to lock them in an eyeblink | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | first disc brakes | | Bike Setup: | Stock except 2002 RockShox Psylo SL | | Bottom Line: | They are just perfect you will stop in an eye blink. Works excellent in all condition. They make your bike look better and they make it work better as well. I would recomeneded those brakes to anyone that wants world class for good price. you can get them in some internet stores for 100 so nothing can beat that price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Buster Browne
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Powerful... snappy... no cable stretch. | | Weaknesses: | Rubs... rotors tweak easy... death if levers are pulled with no rotor in the caliper. | | Bike Setup: | Uggada buggada joom joom mooo mooo zooom vrooom. | | Bottom Line: | These are some nice, powerful brakes. No fancy machining and definitely not lightweight, but solid and workmanlike. Easy to pull to a stop with one finger; two fingers to lock wheel solid as an endo. They may seem too powerful at first and might find yourself skidding alot, but you learn to tap the brake instead of grab it and all is well. Once the modulation is down, you can learn to feather or hold the brake for extended sections and really use that power to finesse the trails. Good stuff.
The product is not perfect, however. I've had rubbing problems off and on since I got the brakes. I've tried everything from centering the calipers to resetting the pads but the rub comes and goes randomly. Likely, the wheel itself is getting tweaked in the dropouts, but the almost flimsy rotors don't help matters. I never really crashed or rammed into anything on the brake side of the bike, yet my rear rotor was tweaked in no time. The front lasted much longer, but that too tweaked. I had the rear fixed tho and it seems ok.
I was new to disk brakes when I got these with my bike so I wasn't aware of the break-in period. I did, however, notice that the rubbing was accompanied by squeeking when the rotor would rub the pads. I haven't noticed this recently. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Perry
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | National | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | 123bikes | | Strengths: | good stopping power with much better modulation than Avid mechanicals. I know, I own both. No fading when bombing down National. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes can be hard to center the caliper to the rotor. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid mechanicals | | Bike Setup: | Mountain Cycle San Andreas, two of them. Chris King HS/Hubs, RF turbine crankset, XT, XTR drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | Learn to service these yourself and bleed them once a year. Pads have good lifetime. 2+ years on same with weekly technical rides. Too bad they are so expensive. Only 4 chilis due to expense. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Racer
from Rochester
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Great modulation | | Weaknesses: | Not as powerful as expected. The levers on the 2002 models like the ones that came on my Giant AC Air Lite have levers that suck. The levers are very loose and can't be tightened. They are held in place with a bolt for 2002, but it appears that Hayes is switching back to the previous design for 2003. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried shimano xt and hope mini's. | | Bike Setup: | Stock AC Air Lite except for Time Carbon pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Breaks are not as powerful as expected. Definitely better than v-brakes, but not close to shimano xt's. Maybe they will improve with a good bleed. Levers suck. I may try shims. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Racer
from Concord, MA, USA!
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | stop very well
| | Weaknesses: | the noise (squeaky) from both calipers. it's soo annoying that i've decided to use the Shimano XT disc brakes instead. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT disc | | Bottom Line: | they work very well. if you can deal with the noise, they're worth keeping.
why do they make so much noise? i don't have this problem with the XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Magnusen
a Cross Country Rider
from Newport News, VA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | York River | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | nothing better for long downhills, stop way better than v-brakes. | | Weaknesses: | little bit of noise, but hardly anything to complain about | | Bike Setup: | NRS1 stock, w/ eggbeaters | | Bottom Line: | I would buy them in a second if I had to, but luckly they came on my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Jefferson
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Apex | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stop on a dime, almost no adjusting once you get them set up right | | Weaknesses: | Bleeding them can be a bit messy | | Similar Products Used: | Avid V-Brakes | | Bike Setup: | 01 Racer-X, Marzocchi MXC-ECC, Mavic 317 Disc, WTB Laser, Monkeylite.... | | Bottom Line: | Once you learn how to adjust them yourself and not to trust that the LBS knows what they are doing, these brakes rock. Bleed and adjust them at the beginning of the season and you shouldn't have to touch them all season long. These were originally on a 98 Yeti AS-3, I took them off and put them on the Titus. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt james
a Cross Country Rider
from st louis MO
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | berryman | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | stop on a dime | | Weaknesses: | horrible grinding noise when wet, not as adjustable as i'd like, tempermental. | | Bike Setup: | cdale caad4 W/ americanclassic517 wheels, xt/xtr, easton & thomson bits, eggbeaters, panaracer trailblasters | | Bottom Line: | these are powerful brakes, no question. however, i'm not sure it's worth having to recenter them after EVERY ride. now, you might not have to do this, but it's a chronic problem for me. what's more, after every creek crossing, i was met with horrible grinding noises and noticeable drag. now, i still had total braking power, but the headaches so far have outweighed the positive. i will be trying avids for their crazy adjustability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morty
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Widow Maker | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came on Bike | | Strengths: | Is there such ting as overkill? No, it just needs respect.
Excellent Modulation, stopping power under all conditions, can't get them to fade yet. | | Weaknesses: | Occasional but very light drag, but not enough to worry about. Squeal from rear brake even with reallignment and different pads but is good as audible warning device. | | Similar Products Used: | No other discs but beats V brakes anyday. | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC2 with firmer springs. | | Bottom Line: | It's not overkill, they aren't too sensitive and when coupled with grippy tired like Michelin downhill tires these brakes are awesome beyond my wildest dreams. No warped rotors cause I don't use them as drag brakes. No adjustment needed except to align the caliper after the break in period. Sometimes feel spongy, sometimes rock solid but not once have they failed to stop the bike iin an instant. Biggest fear is the forks colapsing under heavy breaking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS - Came with bike | | Strengths: | Stopping power in all conditions. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing is similar to Hayes | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Fuel 90 | | Bottom Line: | These brakes absolutely stop. I haven't had one problem until recently. I took a really, really bad fall over a logpile and landed head first in a rock garden. I ended up cracking one of my brake levers in the process. It still held up for the remainder of the ride, but the lever is inevitably going to crack in the near future. They still get 5/5 rating; however, does anyone know where to get replacement brake levers? Does anyone recommend an aftermarket brand? Thanks in advance to anyone who is able to help. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boudreaux
a
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | roaring gap mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Strengths: | everything, great in wet weather
great in mud
unbelievable stopping power
unbelievable stopping power
unbelievable stopping power
this is by-far this best brake system out there
there is no comparison between this and v-brakes
very smooth
effortless to use during a killer stop - unlike v-brakes
| | Weaknesses: | price-but well worth it | | Similar Products Used: | shimano and avie v-brakes
shimano cable actuated disc brakes | | Bike Setup: | klein mantra frame
psylo race fork
xt/xtr drivetrain
HAYES DISC BRAKES-BEST PART OF THE BIKE
time pedals-awesome pedals
mavic tubeless wheels
formula hubs
hutchinson tires | | Bottom Line: | this is the best damn brake system out there. definitly worth every penny i paid for it. get the hydraulic, don't waste your time with the cable actuated. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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