Submitted by
c-v-tich
a Cross Country Rider
from Croatia Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
they stop you
Weaknesses:
require too much maintenance - every other ride, they fade very fast - incredibly fast
Similar Products Used:
BB7, HFX 9 HD, Juicy 5, Louise FR
Bike Setup:
FR hardtail, 5" fork
Bottom Line:
initialy they worked good but after several months needed maintenace every 3 to 4 rides, when the pad contact screw unscrews moving the pad away frm the disc you're left with 20% of the original power in the midlle of the ride - could be quite unpleasent
the brakes are ok for recreational XC rides, anything more - no
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Submitted by
yomamaphat
a Weekend Warrior
from Wyoming Date Reviewed: December 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Friend gave it to me.
Strengths:
Reliability. Never had to adjust except when installing.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Many V-Brakes. Have ridden with hydraulics, but not much.
Bike Setup:
2000 Stumpjumper FSR, 4" front shock (Crappy Marzocchi EXR Comp) - The Hayes HMX-1 is just in the front. I have good machined Avid levers.
Bottom Line:
Hasn't failed me in 2 years. I've ridden with brakes on down very steep and long hills and the stopping power is always plenty. It's no trouble to lock up the front wheel. Hydraulics have a much nicer feel but I'm not comparing these to hydraulics. Can't really assess value rating since I didn't pay for them, free is always 5 chilis.
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Submitted by
William
a Weekend Warrior
from honolulu Date Reviewed: October 29, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
came with my bike
Strengths:
they are good in dry conditions
Weaknesses:
squealing, rotors warp too easy, and on slight downhills they loose the grip of the rotor due to overheating and make a god awfull noise. Also the calipers are near imposible to adjust after the system is only a year old.
Similar Products Used:
none but saving up for a set of avids as I hear the adjustability is great with them.
Bike Setup:
2003giant iguana disc stock
Bottom Line:
If you can afford a better set of brakes I would not even look at these ones.they are crap for anything but gentle trail and city riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nevin Rallis
a Cross Country Rider
from Windham, Maine, USA Date Reviewed: May 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Bradbury Mountain
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
stock parts
Strengths:
They stop if you take care of them
Weaknesses:
rotors bend easily. Stock break pads wore down amaizingly quick. Takes a bit for them to clean themselves after getting wet or muddy during a ride.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Leader 626S with XT cranks and rear deraileur, Cane creek AD-12 rear shock, manitou mintue 3.
Bottom Line:
These brakes have worked for three years. I have just ridden with my slightly bent rotors and the performance is just as good. The original hayes brake pads are a joke. The replacement pads I got have lasted twice as long. They do take a lot of maintenance though. I haven't had any problems with the squeaking. A semi reliable product.
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Submitted by
Jason Jackett
a Weekend Warrior
from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Date Reviewed: April 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
connaught
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Sarich's Source for Sports
Strengths:
They have good stopping power when adjusted properly and must be kept clean.
Weaknesses:
Well, to start, my Front Mx-1 caliper snapped in half horizontally. They have to be adjusted a lot, and they don't work at all with dirt on the discs. The inside knob adjustment sticks a lot, and you still need to use an allan key to turn it, unlike Avids.
Similar Products Used:
Avid bb7, Hayes Mx-2, Hayes HFX 9.
Bike Setup:
Trek Bruiser 2 with all kinds of new components.
Bottom Line:
Not worth getting. If you're interested in a mechanical disc brake, definately get the Avid BB7! FAR superior in every way. Or a V brake would be better.
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Submitted by
FT_Critical
a
from Australia Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Pretty simple design
Weaknesses:
Poor design
Similar Products Used:
ultegra, v-brakes
Bike Setup:
trek 4900
Bottom Line:
I use this to commute about 30 km per day, on a paved track, but the bike picks up a lot of grime. If you were up for adjusting these things all the time, then fine they are pretty simple. But, I find that as soon as you have ridden in the rain or mud, they are totally out of alignment. The pads rub, the rotors seem to bend, they sqweek after any sort of muck gets in. Overall, unless you are prepared to constantly maintain them, I think they are really poor.
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Submitted by
Hagar 17
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria BC Date Reviewed: March 2, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Mt Zouhalem
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
Simple - lightweight - easy pad replacement - no more brake worn rims - cheap
Weaknesses:
Stopping power - adjustments - always mucking with cables etc
Similar Products Used:
Magura hydraulic rims brakes are much better
Bike Setup:
Brodie Diablo FS
Bottom Line:
Ok brakes but fade too fast and do not stop as well as hydraulics - For any serious steep downhill or a heavy rider who rides a lot - skip these - not worth the hassles!
Good with a new set of pads but after a few riders begins to suck again. can barely lock brakes on slightly used pads...
I heard Avid Mechanicals are good...
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Submitted by
Jess DeBortole
a Downhiller
from Bellingham, WA. USA Date Reviewed: February 2, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Galbraith Mt. (THE WHOLE MT!!!)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Fanatik Bike Co.
Strengths:
great stopping for "low end" brakes... really great for urban assults.... minimal pad wear...
Weaknesses:
noise... calabration problems...
Similar Products Used:
V-brakes...front discs on my old schwinn from target hahaha!...
Bike Setup:
2006 Felt Double-Shot hardtail w/ lots of customs...
Bottom Line:
This is the brake system for the disc brake beginer or the mainly street rider... i dont recomend for you crazy ass downhill hardcores....
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from South Cackalacky Date Reviewed: November 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anything scenic
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Got them as a Christmas gift
Strengths:
Simpler than hydralics, works with any levers, much better stopping power than rim brakes, no worries about mud.
Weaknesses:
Noisy.
Similar Products Used:
None, unless you count V-brakes. These are my first discs.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mtn. "Reaper", RockShox Air Judy SL, Shimano XT, just about everything else is Cane Creek.
Bottom Line:
I got these because: 1) I wanted to keep the special levers I already have (Delta Barends), and... 2) I didn't want to deal with the mess, hassle and difficulties of a hydraulic system.
Yes, I knew they aren't as powerfull as hydros, for the reason that hydraulics provide a greater mechanical advantage This is a matter of physics, not quality. however, I'm a 170 pound recreational cross country rider and they work excellent for me. If you weigh 200+ pounds and/or scream down hills at 70 mph, go hydro, by all means.
As to whether they are unusually tricky to install/adjust or not, I can't say, having had no other DBs top compare them with. But after a little practice I found them pretty easy. I guess it's like anything "new", you just need to practice.
They are a bit noisy though, that I will agree totally with. While I rarely get any real squeal, they are certainly not as quiet as rim brakes. Sort of a loud "shshshsh" sound. I have read other posts saying that switching to different aftermarket pads improve this brake's performance, but none of these nice people have seen fit to name names.
But to anyone looking for good, inexpensive, easy to use discs, I would completely recommend these brakes.
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Submitted by
Yang Zhao
a Weekend Warrior
from BC Date Reviewed: August 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Decent mechanical disk system to start with
Weaknesses:
Tons of calibration and failure problems (although I seem to be a special case)
Bike Setup:
'03 Norco Sasquatch with shifters and brake levers replaced
Bottom Line:
It came on the Sasquatch. The front caliper and mounting bracket was installed with shims. Nevertheless, it worked well until this season when my aggressiveness increased with confidence.
The front adjuster knob is now completely sized up, both front and rear calipers need frequent recalibrations (shims and seized adjuster knob make these difficult), and doesn't stay calibrated for long enough (I've had to recalibrate between trails a few times). Ended up stripping one of bolt-holes on the front mounting bracket due to over-torquing.
It's served me well for a season and a bit, but I'm looking into replacing them with Avids.
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Submitted by
Dave Johndrow
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA Date Reviewed: July 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$59.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Great power, low maintenance
Weaknesses:
setup was a little tricky
Similar Products Used:
V-brakes
Bottom Line:
It took a little while to get them dialed in- another adjustment screw for the outside pad would make it a lot easier than having to loosen the mounting bolts and sliding the brake assembly. Once setup correctly, though, I haven't had a bit of trouble, they stop great and the pads last forever. Take your wheels off to avoid getting any overspray on the rotors when lubing your drivetrain, etc. If any grease gets on the pads, you will have problems. I use an automotive disc brake cleaner and it works fine. I've also heard of people using a propane torch to burn the grease out of the pads-something I'll try next time they get gunked.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY USA Date Reviewed: June 30, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Strong braking power for entry level mechanical brakes. Easy to install and keep adjusted. Grab well enough for XC riding, see no need for hydraulic.
Weaknesses:
Stock pads just fail when they wear to certain point, they loose their grabbing power. No real warning. Aftermarket pads added (not Hayes) grab awesome.
Bike Setup:
GF Sugar 2+ - XT Hubs
Bottom Line:
Good disc brakes, especially for the price. If you can get them for under $100 for F/R go for it, they work great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joshua
a Racer
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Inexpensive, light weight, moderate power
Weaknesses:
Pad placement knob can get stuck and back brake lost all power after 8 months.
Similar Products Used:
Avid Mechanical
Bike Setup:
2004 Specialized Stumpjumper M4
Bottom Line:
I got these OE at a sale on JensonUSA. These are great brakes in the entry level disc arena. Their power is very good if you have some Avid speed dial levers. However, there is no pad adjustment knob for the outside pad and the pad adjuster for the inside pad gets stuck at the outermost setting and takes muscle to unjam it. Another problem was that after 8 months or so the back brake lost all of its power and was not usable. The pads were not really even worn! After replacing the pads they worked fine. I would recomend them if you can get them for under $50 a wheel. If you can't, just get some Avids.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, Ca Date Reviewed: June 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Saratoga Gap
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$135.00
Purchased At:
Robinsons Wheel Works
Strengths:
Since I have used them for 5 years and have been very happy with them. They were the lightest brake when I bought them and I could use my exsiting XTR levers.
Weaknesses:
Yhe will squeak at times.
Bike Setup:
Ventana El Saltamontes, XTR grouppo, Rock Shock SID, Fox Float R, Mavix Rims...
Bottom Line:
Work very well for the price. Have lasted 5 year no problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick D'Innocenzo
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CO Date Reviewed: May 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
price point
Strengths:
Can't say, haven't been able to use them cause the fasteners broke on instalation
Weaknesses:
mounting bolts for disc shear and strip.
Similar Products Used:
rim brakes only.
Bike Setup:
fetish d&S
Bottom Line:
Bought the MX-2's and I am not happy. I guess my primary complaint is the fasteners used to hold the dicc to the hub. I tried to install the discs my self and managed to strip one of the bolts and tear the head off of the other. I used a torque wrench, used the proper pattern. I am a trained mechanic and know how to use a torque wrench.The torque specs for them are a little confusing. The instalation instructions said 50inlbs but the disc itself said 55inlbs. I went with the lower spec (50) and still managed to rip the head off of the one. Cheap bolts
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Submitted by
jono
a Downhiller
from newcastle Date Reviewed: February 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
my dirt jumps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
good stopping power and easy ajustment
Weaknesses:
not good for downhill
Similar Products Used:
hayes hydros
Bike Setup:
2005 haro escape 8.1, e.13 drs chainguide
Bottom Line:
great brakes for a great price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Hesketh
a Downhiller
from Arizona Date Reviewed: February 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
White tanks
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Good stopping power, just as good as Avid mechanicals
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Avid mechanicals
Bike Setup:
Haro X2 w/Hayes disc and brake levers, Manitou Black Elite, LX drivetrain, Kenda 2.35 nevgal tires, etc.
Bottom Line:
I had avid mechanical disc brakes on my Trek VRX 300 for over two years. I now have Hayes mechanicals on my Haro, and I believe they are as good as avids. Everyone seems to bash them here, but I would take the Hayes or Avids without thinking twice. Although being a freerider/downhiller, I'm not one to use the brakes much! I do think they are as good as Avids. Of couse neither mechanical setups are as good as their hydraulic bretheren, the mewchanical versions work just fine, Actually, I ewas in vegas recently and rented a Trek Fuel 90 for the day, and it came with v-brakes. I sure did miss my Hayes mechancials.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Castaldo
a Weekend Warrior
from Stormville, Ny, USA Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
None.
Weaknesses:
Stopping power is weaker than my stock V-brakes.
Bike Setup:
Giant Warp DS3 modified from it's stock V-brakes.
Bottom Line:
1)Hayes is absolute garbage & is not the brand to get if you are just switching into disc brakes and want a first good impression.
2)The stopping power is awful. -I usually like to lock up the rear wheel sometimes to do a sharp turn, the brake instead just slowly stops the bike quickly follewd by a harsh noise & yes I went through the burnishing period; With my stock V-brakes however that rear wheel would not unlock unless I let go of the lever.
- The front brake is only good for ending up in the walls & trees.
3)The price is way off for the horrendous quality. - This is mostly why I have a lot to complain about. If this piece of garbage was only $15.00 or maybe even $20.00 then maybe, just maybe I would not be saying much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alan
a
from edmonton Date Reviewed: January 25, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
works good
Weaknesses:
they broke in less than a year
Bike Setup:
2003 giant iguana disk
Bottom Line:
dont get them. buy better stronger one if you can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy Grooby
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New Zealand Date Reviewed: December 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
The Anaconda
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Mates House
Strengths:
Looks Better than V's
Weaknesses:
take a long pull on the lever to lock on, have very little power - useless as a front brake, they often squeal
Similar Products Used:
hayes hydros, hope hydros, shimano hydros, hayes HMX2
Bike Setup:
Marin East Peak, Hayes Hmx 2 disks with 8 inch rotors, mavic wheelset
Bottom Line:
These brakes are a reasonable entry level disc however i have just replaced mine with hayes hmx2 discs that work ten times as good. If you have the money get the avids or if you dont want to spend heaps get the HMX2's, they are much better value for money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phantomow2
a Cross Country Rider
from NH Date Reviewed: December 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
it works, it has a cable tension adjuster right on the caliper with the knob like found on brake levers, makes it easier to adjust. THe price i paid is nice
Weaknesses:
stopping power just isn't like avids. I dont like how hayes secures their brake pads
Similar Products Used:
Avid BB7 (first and last name of mechanical disc brakes) promax
Bottom Line:
Here you have a no nonsense brake, it works but i wouldnt recomend it for a primary front brake. THe stopping power just isnt like avids. With avids i pull the lever and its an instant stop with these i can ehar the friction and the 1 or 2 second delay. Performance is not degraded very much in crappy conditions. I dont call the squeaks a weakness becuase all disc brakes do that.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Daddy
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Date Reviewed: December 13, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Simple, light, same pads and rotors as the hydrualics, easy set up.
Weaknesses:
Noisy during break-in, take a long time to break in.
Similar Products Used:
V-brakes, also tried friends hydrualics
Bike Setup:
Heckler with coil springs front and rear, IRC 2.25 tires, Ritchey Girder wheels. Built to be dependable on 3-6 hour XC/enduro rides deep in the back country.
Bottom Line:
I bought these as new take offs with levers included for about $100.00 on ebay and they've really worked well. They took a while to break in, but a 2000ft descent riding the brakes the whole way took care of that. They got so hot I could smell them burning when I stopped, but they still worked great and the inside adjuster knob didn't seize.
The feel of the brakes is different than V's or hydrualic. More modulation than V's and they don't have the on/off feel of hydrualics.
Set up is a breeze. Much easier than V brakes. If you can't set up these brakes, you shouldn't be working on a bike.
In short, I like them. The price is low because they aren't popular, and they work great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Lavoie
a Weekend Warrior
from Swanton, VT Date Reviewed: November 1, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Whites Green Mountain Bikes
Strengths:
-very easy to use -great stopping power -sealed (stayes clean)
Weaknesses:
-takes a bit to burnish
Similar Products Used:
-avid -shimano
Bike Setup:
-2003 Norco Sasquatch
Bottom Line:
-very good disc brake especially for beginners.easy to use and stays clean.but they also stop great.i use them for all sorts of riding and have never had a problem with them
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from BC Date Reviewed: October 21, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Awesome stopping power, sealed caliper keeps it working in the worst conditions, easy to set up and maintain.
Weaknesses:
Locking up the front brake in a panick sends you flyin...
Similar Products Used:
Hayes HFX-9 hydrolic
Bike Setup:
03 Brodie Bruzza, Jr T PRO, Laserdisc dh, Hussefelt...
Bottom Line:
This is a great mech. disc brake. It even had me avoiding hydros because it worked so well and was so easy to maintain. I bought it and it worked like new and still had incredible stopping power. I only had a front caliper so I grew accustomed to flying over the handlebars.. The sealed caliper is a big help, I was riding on an extremely muddy day, and I slowed down through a really muddy section and my wheel packed enough of it into the arch that it got jammed up and stopped, but hey, my brake still worked! I used that thing for 7-8 months without having to change the pads. It could still stop on a dime after what I'd put it through.
Bottom line, the brake works like a dream, if you're not sure how to set it up properly get a shop tech to do it and you'll be home free. Great product!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Date Reviewed: September 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Buckwallow
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Silent Sports
Strengths:
Great stopping power for a mech disc system
Weaknesses:
Got a little noisy for some reason... takes a little while to burnish, but I have a feeling that's the same for all disc systems.
Similar Products Used:
None. This is my first disc brake bike
Bike Setup:
2004 Giant Iguana Disc
Bottom Line:
The Hayes brakes came on my bike.
They took a little while to break in, but once they did, they stopped really well! I hadn't rode a bike in a year or so so no, I'm not used to V-brakes and so it's not like I went to suddenly being able to stop with the discs. Hayes has made a very good product. I haven't had a chance to hit any water or anything, but from the heavy trails that I've been riding, these brakes have done an amazing job.
I'm very happy with them. If you're looking for hydro-brake power, you won't find it here. I've tried hydros and they're crazy, but this is very good and stops you fast enough!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kurt
a Weekend Warrior
from Duluth, Georgia, USA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2004
Favorite Trail:
chickopee
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
SunSkiSport, came on Kona stinky
Strengths:
nice progressive feel to them, can 1 finger endo(straining), alot better than v's
Weaknesses:
adjuster knob/axel binds to caliper rendering it useless (just takes longer to adjust now), back brake just stopped gripping
Similar Products Used:
avid mech(sweet), shimano xt (too expensive for me)
Bike Setup:
Kona Stinky 02, stock except spring upgrades front and back
Bottom Line:
all was great, i loved the power of these, only felt fade once or twice, then last week the back break stopped gripping, inspected pads cleaned them the rotor too, and nothing, sanded them, and still nothing
the front works just dandy, yet the rear only works when really wet (can't lock up though)
i just ordered new pads, i hope thats the problem
i really took me by supprise bombing down a rutty section, and just feel it give a little then no friction at all, might go avid if new pads dont fix it
for people wanting non hydro disks go avid, the knobs wont 'weld' to the caliper like these
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Snowie Hilding
a Cross Country Rider
from Storrs Connecticut Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004
$ 89.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
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