|
|
Average Rating
|
4.36/5
|
|
# of Reviews
|
25
|
|
MSRP
|
$ 249.00
|
|
Weight
|
|
|
More Products from Hayes
Submit a Review
|
|
|
Description:Ultralite titanium hardware kit
Carbon fiber lever blade
Magnesium flip-flop design master cylinder allows lever to be mounted on either side of bar
Two piece master cylinder allows lever tobe removed without removing shifters and grips
"All-weather" pad compound
Kevlar hose available in silver or black
System weight 378 grams
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buy and Sell the HFX Mag Plus from our Classifieds.
|
Shop for Similar Products
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
CJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | -Great stopping power
-Easy installation
-Solid modulation | | Weaknesses: | -Lever instability! The things flop all over the place and cannot be tightened.
-Throw adjustment: There is a small allen bolt inside the lever that constantly "adjusts" itself (in my case, causing the lever to stiffen dramatically) and is impossible to get to using any type of multi-tool. | | Similar Products Used: | -Shimano XT disc brakes
-Magura Louise brakes | | Bottom Line: | While I really love the stopping power and modulation of these things, the lever problems simply make them not worth the trouble.
Both levers are extremely "floppy," and there is literally no way to tighten them so they don't bounce around and rattle all the time which is just annoying.
If it were just the annoyance of floppy levers with these brakes, I could live with it however, the throw adjustment and the fact that it never stays in once place, is just too much to handle.
On my left (front) brake, I am constantly having to mess with the tiny bolt after rides due to the fact that the bolt, somehow, tightens itself thus causing the lever throw to stiffen (i.e. move away from the grip) significantly. This is an especially horrendous problem when dropping down long, technical descents due to the facts that: A) a long reach causes serious hand fatigue after just a few minutes and B) it can be very dangerous as the lever has actually been out of reach on two seperate occasions (fortunately I was able to ride through both times without serious incident...barely though).
On the right side, the bolt sticks in just fine but it stripped out VERY easily and now can't be adjusted at all without someone tearing the whole lever apart and rebuilding it. Fortunately the lever is in an adequate (not great) position so I can live with it.
I've talked to a lot of people who've had/have these brakes and this seems to be a VERY common problem and the only solution I've heard (from multiple people) is to use red "Lock Tight" (they say that's the only one strong enough to hold it) on the little bolt but, if I do that, I'm right back to the problem I'm having with the right lever in that if I lock it up permanently and don't quite like it after riding it, I'm stuck with it.
Bottom line: there's a reason brake manufacturers develop "on the fly" throw adjustments and market them all over the place and these brakes seem to be the poster children for all of those reasons.
I WOULD NOT buy these brakes again and - unless you like having constant problems trying to adjust your brakes - I would not recommend anyone else buying them either. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | whatever | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Simi Cycling Center | | Strengths: | Wow where do I start, super powerul, absolutly incredible lever feel, lightweight, no brake fade, wavy rotors, look amazing | | Weaknesses: | NONE, for anyone who has their lever creep in on them just loctite it and you'll be fine | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore Disc, Shimano XT Disc, Crapy V-Brakes, Shimano XTR Disc | | Bike Setup: | 2003 C-Dale Jeykll, I changed out about all the components, mostley XT tpought, leftys rock the socks off any other fork | | Bottom Line: | So far my absolute favorite brake on the market in my opinion. I prefer them over the Shimano Discs, mainly becasue the stoping power in much nicer, and the lever is awesome. I demoed a bike w/ XTR and they wer noisey and didn't have a lot of power compared to the hayes. Go with Hayes you'll never go back, simple set up, great performance, outstanding product. Once you try them you won't go back | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from pa
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | This is a repost after riding these brakes for a full season. In short I would buy these brakes again in a second.
Very powerful. I like a brake that needs only one finger to control and these have it.
Miantenance free after one hard season.
Easy to adjust.
Levers are tough and feel great. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Hopes. Tried Maguras. Avid Mechs. | | Bottom Line: | I would buy these again in a second. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Everett VerSchave
a Cross Country Rider
from Park Ridge, Illinois
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$210.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Strong, dependable, squeek-free, good modulation | | Weaknesses: | Don't ride a ton, and have had to bleed once besides original set-up (not really a big deal) | | Similar Products Used: | None-first disc, but going to buy it for the rear | | Bike Setup: | Coming soon-Dean Colonel with full Hayes, mostly xt | | Bottom Line: | Haven't tried others, but like it enough to replace my xtr v brake/carbon brake booster in rear with another at a cost of $330 (includes wheel). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shannon Wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland,OR,USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | dread and terror | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal | | Strengths: | Super dependable,light weight, stong power, good modulation, bombproof carbon levers. | | Weaknesses: | Slight need of adjustment when pads wear down. | | Similar Products Used: | Marta's = Bleed Constantly | | Bike Setup: | Yeti 575 cross country 6inch rotors, Yeti ASX 8inch rotors. | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are the most dependable out there. Get the new cams (with the slot on the top) from Hayes and you will never have problems with the reach screw moving again. You can leave your bike upside down and it won't require re-bleeding. When new, rubber band a bottle to the handlebars and make sure the bleed hose is at the bottom, go up and down three times with the fliud and enjoy the maintenence free ride.
I'm waiting for a long term test report before I try the Camino's. You really can't go wrong with the Mag Plus! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike from PA
a
from PA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Weather proof.
Relatively light weight.
Ease of alignment using the Hayes bracket...no shims!
Serviceable and easy to find parts.
Carbon lever feels nice.
Minimal squeal if set up properly.
Good power.
Modulation... my opinion on that is modulation is in the finger, not the brake.
| | Weaknesses: | Took me 3 careful bleeds to finally get the air out of the new lines. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Mechs.
Hope Minis. | | Bike Setup: | Turner Burner set up xc-trail. | | Bottom Line: | These are very nice xc brakes and I would buy them again. I know I'm posting after only 3 months of use so the very important matter of durability is difficult to asses. I'll repost in a year or so if they fail me.
Out of the higher end disk brakes these are not the lightest. A lot of that comes from the type of caliper adjustment system/bracket Hayes uses. I'll take a few grams to not have to deal with shimming brakes like Hopes that require those little circular beasts.
Compared to the Minis they are a bit heavier. Hope's just look very well made and Hope did have great customer service. Hope's bleed very easily. My biggest issue with the Hopes was they would loose too much power when riding in water and muck. During one particularly wet race they began to fade and ultimately a pad fell out. I'm not exactally sure what caused this but the "fade issue" occured on much more than one sloppy ride. It became such an issue I took them off. They were very finicky when trying to get them set up "just right" using the shims.
Compared to the Avid Mechs they are more set and forget. Mechs are very forgiving in the set up department but due to the caliper design your pads wear unevenly and this requires an occasional adjustment. Of course cables on the Mechs require frequent maintenance in riding in wet weather. The Mechs are heavy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert George
a Racer
from Cary, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Glastonbury State Forest, CT | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycling Spoken Here bike shop | | Strengths: | Light weight, durability, Carbon levers, looks cool! | | Weaknesses: | Need tool to adjust lever as pads wear (hence El Camino) | | Similar Products Used: | Magura Marta SL | | Bike Setup: | Yeti ASR-SL w/ X.0, FSA carbon components and wheels | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE THESE BRAKES! I will never use non-disc brakes again! I could actually control my speed on the always MUDDY and slick NORBA National Snowshoe, WV X-Country course. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MisterWizard
a Downhiller
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | Light, looks good, stays fairly cool | | Weaknesses: | feel at lever | | Similar Products Used: | hayes and avid hydraulics, h. and a. mechanicals | | Bike Setup: | KHS fetish, boxxer and romic d. Halo SAS rims with hope hub front and woodman hub rear. 8" rotors | | Bottom Line: | I like them a lot, after a year of use they have yet to bother me. My only issue is that it's hard to feel when the pads make contact with the rotor. I don't know what this is caused by, but with lots of other hydraulic brakes you can feel the contact like an off/on switch. Modulation is average, I just like a little feedback through the levers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | upper winter creek loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | respectably light, parts are easy to find (not to mention inexpensive), tough as nails, plenty of stopping power | | Weaknesses: | wish they had a 1 piece caliper (hence: the El Camino) | | Similar Products Used: | Magura Marta SL | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Fisher Sugar Race XO/XT/SID/Stan's - 24.5lbs | | Bottom Line: | i bought these to replace my marta SL's (which were great brakes) because of the ease in serviceability and much less expensive parts. i can replace pads now for about $15 as opposed to $30+. moreover, the hayes are sturdier, so im more confident that theyll hold up for the long haul. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris C.
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Wasatch Crest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Titus | | Strengths: | Good stopping power and modulation. Relatively maintenance-free. Durability. | | Weaknesses: | Lever reach adjustment screw constantly backs out, causing brake lever to slowly creep in toward H-bar. This happens every ride, and is a big problem!!!!!!!!!!!! I have also had problems with the front brake squealing more than it should. | | Similar Products Used: | Magura Louise, Simano XT and XTR discs, Hayes HFX Mag. | | Bike Setup: | Titus Switchblade w/Fox TALAS fork and shock. | | Bottom Line: | I have a real love/hate relationship with these brakes. On the plus side, they've been reliable stoppers and have been pretty maintenance-free (with the one major exception that I will explain below). They have good stopping power and modulation. However, on the minus side, these things have a major design defect! the set screw (push rod) that adjusts the lever reach constantly backs out, causing the lever to progressively creep inward toward the H-bar. This happens during the course of EVERY ride, and requires that I periodically stop and re-adjust the reach. If I don't, the lever will actually begin to hit the H-bar grip at the bottom of its stroke. THIS IS A REAL PAIN!!!!!!!!!!! I've tried locking it in place using blue Loctite, but that hasn't worked. I even contacted Hayes about the problem, but got NO response. These would be great brakes if it wasn't for this major problem. For the cost of these things, this type of thing shouldn't be an issue. Anyway, this could be a 5-star product, but due to the major headache of the lever creep problem, and the non-existent help from Hayes customer service, these brakes only get a 2! Let's hope the new El Caminos have licked this problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tunnel, Romero, Kanan, Edison | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Stopping power and cost. | | Weaknesses: | Durabiltiy? | | Similar Products Used: | Magura Marta Sl and Formula B4 Pro | | Bottom Line: | I'm not sure what to expect from a disc brake for durability but mine went after 2 years. Maybe thats normal considering I ride two or three 20-30 mile rides a week. The modulation was good and maybe could have been better had I decided to replace my brake fluid more often. But with these hydraulic systems it seems you become satisfied after attempting 2-3 bleeds before getting it right.
My only reserve is my riding buddy had the same brakes and one of his is leaking after about 1 year. Luckly he had an older type on his hardtail to use as he troubleshoots the leak.
I replaced my Hayes with Formula B4 Pro and after a year they are holding up. I'll wait and see if they last 2 years?
The rotors were tough and provided good braking for 160mm.
Only on long downhills 4-5 miles did I notice any fade.
I have another bike the I just put Magura Marta SL and haven't much ride time on those.
All the hydraulic brakes Hayes, Magura and Formula are a pain to bleed and get lever firmness. I'm now thinking its the nature of these small hydraulic systems.
I give the Hayes a good rating because while they did work the performance was good. Again, I'm not sure how long a haydraulic bicycle brake is suppose to last but maybe two years is good. For $199 a set it was a good deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Cross Country Rider
from Wyoming, USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Happy Jack Trails in Laramie,WY | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | All-Pro Cyclery | | Strengths: | Well Made, good feeling lever shape, Carbon lever doesn't freeze your fingers in the cold, generally good power, no significant weight gain over XTR v-brakes, had them for a year with very few problems. | | Weaknesses: | Overall feel at the lever is a little wooden when compared with other systems, but doesn't seem to effect power; power fades a bit when heated up on long, steep decents; rotors seem to sing or chime at certain speeds, but probably has more to do with harmonics in wheel/tire than the brake system itself; Ti hardware makes set-up a little more difficult due to Ti washers spinning and moving calipers upon tightening(Lightly grease the washer face that contacts the bolt, solves problem) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XTR's, Hope Mono M4's, Hayes HFX-9's, Hayes HMx-1's, Avid BB Mechanicals, Magura Louise'...(Shop Mechanic) | | Bike Setup: | Dean Colonal Ti Frame, SID, XT/XTR mix, Hugi/Mavic wheelset, Race Face Deus, Thomson, Selle Italia Flite, Maxm Bar | | Bottom Line: | Overall These brakes are reliable, powerful for xc system, and stay in adjustment quite well. One long descent near Antelope Butte by Jackson Hole caused the rotors to turn blue and brakes to squeal wildly while reducing power to an alarmingly low level. Trail had alot of switchbacks on a steep grade so brakes were a must. Problem came from talc-like dust in brake pads from an incredibly dry summer and dusty conditions. I think any system would have experienced this problem. These brakes have served me quite well for more than a year, and actually outlasted several other parts. All Hydro systems are expensive, and you get what you pay for. These are well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Spanky McSpankster
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Little Bald Mt. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$145.00 | | Purchased At: | Jensen | | Strengths: | Consistent, powerful, light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Modulation inferior to that of Hope Mini's. Clunky design. | | Similar Products Used: | Hope Mini's, shimano XTR, Coda (worst ever!) | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Raven 4000SX, C. King Hubs, Velocity/Mavic rims, mostly XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I do 2-3 advanced cross-country rides/week in rocky, often wet conditions. These brakes install easily, work consistently and require minimal maintenance (after 3 mos.). A couple of years ago I switched out the stock Codas (oh my god those were crap!) for a Hayes on the front and a Hope Mini on the rear. Because the Hayes performed so well and required so little maintenance, I replaced the Minis a year later with the Hayes HFX Mag Plus. Unfortunately the Minis would fade on long muddy rides and replacing the pads became a hassle. I wish I could have kept the Minis however - they have the best modulation and just as much power as the Hayes. But, because reliability is paramount when you ride hard and often, I had to part ways with the Hopes. I just wish the Hayes had more finesse on the steep, rocky, loose stuff where you don't want your rear wheel to lock up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Racer
from beckley, wv, us
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | easy to work on (bleeding, set up, etc)
These brakes stop!!!! | | Weaknesses: | expensive | | Similar Products Used: | formula, avid | | Bike Setup: | Razorback sl | | Bottom Line: | I bought these brakes to replace a pair of formula b4 pro's. The hayes weight a little more but for me the performance is worth it. I have put these on my bike and forgot about them. As for everyone complaining about the lever screw coming loose, maybe I got lucky because I have not had a single problem. These brakes have been in nothing but mud since I bought them and I haven't had a single problem.
My only complaint is the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sid
a Downhiller
from Albuquerque
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | From Friend | | Strengths: | Great modulation, light (the only thing on my bike that is), stopping power is awesome with 8" rotors.... | | Weaknesses: | Carbon levers....I like them, but somehow I managed to grind the clear-coat off of one of them, so now I worry about flaking carbon fiber. I put clear nail polish on it to prevent it, but if the clear-coat didn't last long I don't think that nail polish has much chance. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes Mags, Avid cable/hayes cable | | Bike Setup: | downhill, boxxer fork with Halo (SAS/Woodman rear and SAS/Hope front) wheels | | Bottom Line: | An awesome pair, but the levers aren't quite as durable as some alloy ones would be. Other than that, there are no other flaws. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michele
a
from Switzerland
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Reliable, easy setup | | Weaknesses: | Minor: Lever developed some play after 2/3 years on the first set
Minor: Lever does not hold setup (Blue Loctite solved the
problem)
MAJOR: Costs of replacements in Switzerland. Example: Standard frame adapter, US street price ~6$, Switzerland price 20$ (yes, twenty!). Thank you JensonUSA! | | Similar Products Used: | V-Brake | | Bike Setup: | First set: HFX, second set: HFX Mag. | | Bottom Line: | This is my second set of Hayes. The only real problem these brakes caused me, was caused by my wrong handling on pads replacement.
The first set came on my old Cdale and had no problem. The second set I installed on my Blur, has been installed in a second without problems.
Many people here in europe ride Magura, and many of them has nothing but problems.
Note: Value rating is intended for US price
My next bike will mount Hayes again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Weir
a Racer
from novato ca 94947
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | i am in Marin so i can't tell you | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | They stop like a wet tongue on a icy steel pole.I have used them for as long as they have been out and i love them. Now that they have all that ti hard wear it makes me even more happy. You blead them once and you are good to go for at least a year and i ride way to dam much so thats saying alot. Wet dry you name it they work sweet. I even gave myself a tatoo from the red hot rotor and did not mean to but it's starting to grow on me i think it's better then ink. | | Weaknesses: | They will not fit on my car.. | | Similar Products Used: | every disc break out | | Bike Setup: | I Have them on all my bikes my xc race Blur my trail Blur,my dh bike my one speed and my Dare trail bike. | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a break that is always ready to go this is the one. These guys have been doing disc breaks for ever and they know what it takes to make a durable long lasting brake. I have been running them for over 5 years and have not had one problem except when i cut the hose with my front tire when the zip tie broke that heald the hose to the fork. That was my falt for only using one zip tie. so no problems as of yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ward Tuttle
a Cross Country Rider
from SF, CA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | El Corte de Madera | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | Levers. Modulation. Two-finger braking. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight | | Bottom Line: | These brakes are OK. The biggest complaint I have is with the levers/master cylinder aparatus. First, the levers just stink. Wrong shape and too small. Because the levers are shaped the way they are I now must use two fingers to brake hard instead of one when I had V-brakes. No appreciable brake modulation in the levers. Basically, the levers need more throw from off to full power. In my old brakes it was about half an inch. With these, its about and eighth of an inch. Also, unless you get really lucky with your bleed/loc tite combination on the levers, the pad engagement is different for each lever. If Hayes could fix all these things, I would give it 5 stars. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason R
a Racer
from Capitola, CA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | wholesale | | Strengths: | reputation, decent weight, generation 2 open caliper cools faster and tells you when your rotor isn't centered (see above review, not a qc issue) | | Weaknesses: | lever adjustment does not hold, even with blue loctite | | Similar Products Used: | hayes, xt, deore | | Bike Setup: | heckler 5, talas, ava float rl, hayes mag hfx, wtb laserdisc lite wheelset, azonic carbon bar, thomson stem/post, xt shifters/der's/crank/bb, xtr cassette, dura-ace chain. Nokian gazzi core 2.3/2.1/stan's. | | Bottom Line: | I like to ride allot. My weekend rides have been 100% epic since day one on this bike- four and a half hours, in the rain, on tech, gnarly single track. Ride the bus for 45 minutes, gain about 2500 vertical and then take the single track home.
OK, having said that, about halfway through The Ride, I need to stop and adjust my levers. They keep self adjusting, similar to the above review. I also used loctite on the set screws, but it did not help. Sure, it made a bit of a difference, but I still have to stop halfway through the ride to do something I never have to on any of my other bikes. Work on it. Beyond that, as mentioned above, the front lever does not have the "pop" back to the retracted position that the rear does. I'm going to bleed and re-post. Oh, and yes they do howl, but only when wet. Stopping power decreases, but not more than you'd expect. The pads wore out in 5 weeks of raining and mudding it up. That's not even 10 rides. (I didn't ride The Ride at every opportunity) The brakes work, yes, but overall need too much attention. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erol
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern California
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Durability, reliability, stopping power | | Weaknesses: | Pads can wear out fast | | Similar Products Used: | Magura Marta, Avid Mechanical, Coda (crap) | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Turner 5-spot with 8" Hayes front rotor, 6" rear | | Bottom Line: | I've tried a lot of different brakes, having never been quite satisfied with the stopping power of any of the brakes I've used over the years. Until I got the Hayes. Other brake mfrs. say they have better modulation (arguable), better stopping power, but all-around nothing beats Hayes brakes. They are powerful, but more importantly, they maintain their stopping power in any conditions.
Some brakes like the Magura Martas will seem have incredible initial stopping power. However, they heat up easily and fade on you. Hayes will not fade on you on a long descent. I've put these brakes through some serious stress on long steep downhills. My rotors turned dark and I could smell burning, but the stopping power remained. Other brakes would have melted, their fluid boiled, and their rotors warped. But not Hayes.
Brakes that use mineral oil don't cut it. Real brakes use DOT fluid. Hayes uses DOT. They are also a cinch to bleed, easy to align, and simple to change pads. Parts are readily available. Ever have to service Hope or Magura brakes? Good luck.
The least expensive Hayes model will perform the same as the most expensive. I have the HFX-Comps (plastic lever body) and the Mag Plus. So you don't have to spend a lot for the best braking performance in the market either.
Modulation is also very good. People have said that Hayes don't have good modulation. What? Try going fast for a change. When you're flying downhill and you have to scrub off some speed quickly to make a turn, you'll be very glad you have Hayes.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Epics and ST | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Price, Weight, Design. | | Weaknesses: | Brake levers rattled. | | Similar Products Used: | Only V-brakes | | Bike Setup: | Weyless SP custom setup. Fox Float Rear and Duke SL U Fork, 2003 Tru-vativ Team Stylo Cranks, WTB laserlite XC rims and free hub, Weyless Carbon Bar and Seatpost, WTB Ti Laser Seat, Sette Ti Skewers, SS Eggbeaters, Ti bolt kit, XT components. | | Bottom Line: | My friend had Hayse hydraulics on his bike with new pads and oil(1 year old design). His felt like they took more pressure to stop and faded. The difference from his version to mine was amazing. Mine has lite feel and no noise, excellent modulation, stopping power and fade resistance. Hayse has really made improvements. The only thing was my levers rattled a little. I added some mylar sim stock and no problem now.
The Hayse hydraulics have really complimented my bikes setup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Normal Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Tewksbury, MA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Pretty good modulation.
Nice stopping power without throwing me over the bars.
Bleeding the system, while a little messy, not entirely too complicated.
| | Weaknesses: | It's actually pretty easy to install except Hayes wrote terrible instructions which actually complicate the process.
The instructions omit a step or two - such as where to install the tiny rubber gasket - causing me to stop, take apart, and reinstall the whole caliper and rebleed the system. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first set of disc brakes. | | Bike Setup: | Blur with Fox boingers. | | Bottom Line: | I was amazed when I switched from old school brakes to V-brakes. Now I'm amazed by discs. If you're still holding out, save your pennies and make the switch to discs.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan E.
a Cross Country Rider
from Lyons, CO
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lots of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | The Cycologist - Fort Collins, CO | | Strengths: | Awesome stopping power, no "chimes", mechanically sound, set and forget, works very well in all conditions | | Weaknesses: | Lever handle likes to self-adjust - see below - but easily fixed | | Similar Products Used: | first disc brakes, stepping up from an old pair of canti's | | Bike Setup: | '03 Talas Switchblade, built up as a 31 pound trail bike | | Bottom Line: | After 100 miles, I love these brakes. Only took about 15 minutes of some good downhill riding to break them in, and since then they have worked as advertised. No squealing or chimes, once we set them up they were ready to roll.....except for one minor issue that is easily repaired:
I had a problem not getting full stopping power because I was squeezing the lever so far down that it was hitting my knuckles....almost like "bottoming out" the brake. I adjusted the levers outward (clockwise) to increase the distance from lever to bar handle, but after a few rides I would have the same problem. As it turns out, whenever you turn the levers outwards, they tend to "self-adjust" back to their original position. The cure: use BLUE lock-tite when you adjust them and they will stay in place. Use blue lock-tite instead of red so it's not permanent, but yet strong enough to hold it's position.
Once that repair was made, they have not moved and now all it takes is a little "tap" to the levers and I can stop on a dime. Thanks to Shawn at the Cycologist for the tip on how to adjust the levers correctly.
Regarding the carbon levers, I thought they may be a little fragile, but I have since layed the bike down hard a few times, including a pretty nasty endo where the levers took the first impact - not even a scratch. They hold up well to abuse and feel very natural.
Bottom line: Excellent brakes, great feel, easy set-up. The one flaw I've noticed is easily fixed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lloyd
a Cross Country Rider
from pasig city, philippines
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | any thrilling trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | somewhere in singapore island | | Strengths: | it's hayes...they're expert with brakes | | Weaknesses: | have to file a small portion of the caliper 'cos it touches the rotor whenever it's already centered. quite an issue for QC,,,so there r parts that d paint was stripped. the lever return on my front brake is not as strong as to my rear brake...i guess because it's factory bled. but i don't mind...can bleed anytime. | | Similar Products Used: | hayes HFX MAG XC; magura clara | | Bike Setup: | CAAD4 frame...and d rest of the components that makes my bike run lighter n faster | | Bottom Line: | there's no difference with the previous HFX MAG, but in my own opinion HAYES changed their brake pads,,,there's this something unusual when u press the lever...but actually i don't want to investigate on it. the carbon lever is so light that when u press it u must be used to it. the power of the brakes is not an issue...there's no change with the master cylinder, just modified their caliper i guess this caliper looks better (lighter), kinda sexy. btw anyone knows what does "G2" stands for? all bolts are made of titatium. the bottom line is i bought this piece at a low price compare to the world price.
it's worth the price...especially regarding research and engineering. i hope i won't encounter with the QC issue again next time i buy their product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mikael
a
from Copenhagen
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Alps | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | A Hayes brake in a light weight package. Superb quality and looks. Works very well in snow and rain and in frezing temperatures.
Good breaking power with nice modulation. No "squell" !!
You install it, and it works - no need to bleed it again.
| | Weaknesses: | Supposed to be Hayes light weight brake - but not in the same leauge as Magura Martha and Formula b4 sl.
But you can't always get what you want (sing with me :-) )
Instead you get a very good brake at a ok weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Magura, Hayes, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight, Scareb super, xtr, Easton, hügi 240s. Lean mean fighting machine (sub 24 lbs) | | Bottom Line: | Very nice Disc Brake, using it for about 2 months.
Requires post mount fork and frame. I use hayes adaptor (IS) with no problems.
Works very well under all kinds of weather conditions.
Very nice design and looks - full titanium hardwear (bolts and screws). Nice strong titanium torx bolts for the rotor.
If your not a total wight fetichist, but want a disc brake that dosnt give you any problems under any conditions this is the one - with the killer looks and function. Dont worry about the carbon fiber handle - it can take a good beating!
But consider if you want to use the extra $$$ to save very little weight compared to the normal Hayes brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
|
