Lever caliper swapping

Unfortuntely, it is not possible to cross-swap hydro brake parts like that. The ONLY swappable item between Hayes and Avid.....are the brake rotors.

Any reason why? Has anybody tried it, or just not worth the hassle?

Mechanically there is a good chance you can make it work. However it is not easy to predict how it will functionally behave, or if it will properly work at all. The most grave incompatibility is in the brake fluid type, you cannot mix and match levers designed for DOT with mineral oil calipers (or the other way around). With Hayes and Avid you're safe in this regard. However there are other variables like master piston size differences and reservoir size differences. Of course you can try, but I'd be careful not to test these combo's on challenging prolonged downhills. You could also try some different brake pad compounds, these also play an important part in the brake power equation. If you do go ahead and create you Havid Frankenbrake, please share the outcome with us

As a closing remark; since brakes are safety items I'd personally be very wary with experimentations like these and make sure to test under controlled conditions.

If you know the MC and piston sizes you can predict what's going to happen *if* you can make the assembly work. If you increase the MC diameter relative to the piston more lever force will be required to achieve the same clamping power. The inverse is true as well.

Not worth the hassle.......there is no need to fix something till it really breaks. Stick with what you got, and continue riding...

Zachariah said:

Not worth the hassle.......there is no need to fix something till it really breaks. Stick with what you got, and continue riding...

Click to expand...

Says the gram counter... In all seriousness though, it'd be a whole lot easier to play pads and rotor sized on a brakeset that's "good enough".