[ieatdirt]

Hey I'm finally making the leap to disc brakes. Lemme know what kind I should get. I'm a college student and not looking to spend a whole lot, but I do want hydros. I'm only getting front for now and was looking to spend about $100-$125.

 

[HRDTLBRO]

Hayes HFX-9 should fit the bill fine. Just remeber to loc-tite the lever reach adjustment bolt.

 

[Jeff 151]

If yer on a budget ya gotsta consider a cable disc brake. When I say cable, of course I'm talkin about the Avids. Believe the hype. $100, use your old lever, bang, done, lovin' life. They're on my hardtail and they're only a tiny bit less powerful than the HFX 9's on my fully. Both 8" rotors. All the hydro's really got on the cable's is that butter smooth feel. Maintaining/adjusting the Avids is also much simpler/cleaner. But an 8" rotor is not recommended on a quick-release front wheel.

 

[Kornphlake]

I've heared that the HFX-9's are really pretty cheasy, the brakes to get if you're looking at hayes and really want performance are the HFX-Mags. On a budget I'd go with avid mechanicals though, actually I did and I love them.

 

[Barbaton]

Keep an eye on the online retailers for OEM buyouts too. I got a set of new Hayes HFX-Comps through Supergo for about 50% off list...

 

[Ciaran]

Keep an eye on the online retailers for OEM buyouts too. I got a set of new Hayes HFX-Comps through Supergo for about 50% off list...

I was looking at those and noticed that they have a "composite" lever. I was wondering about the durability of them. Is the lever just cheapy plastic or something better? How do you like them so far?

I am about to get brakes for my hard tail and am looking at the Avid mechs, but the Hayes HFX comp at Supergo is mighty tempting.

 

[Barbaton]

I was looking at those and noticed that they have a "composite" lever. I was wondering about the durability of them. Is the lever just cheapy plastic or something better? How do you like them so far?

I am about to get brakes for my hard tail and am looking at the Avid mechs, but the Hayes HFX comp at Supergo is mighty tempting.

I was a little concerned about that too but now that I have them it looks like the levers themselves are metal but the body of the casing (what attaches to the handlebars) is the composte. So far they've been solid. I dropped the bike at one point and one of the shifter bodies cracked but the brake levers held up fine.

I'm getting used to having such small space tolerances between rotors and pads (first time with discs) but otherwise they've been solid. They have good power and modulation and don't make a sound. I'm really glad I didn't get the mono minis I was looking at until I saw a lot of complaints about heat fade and sqeakiness.

 

[Darkreaper]

But an 8" rotor is not recommended on a quick-release front wheel.

Emm, why?

 

[Wumpus]

Emm, why?

Torque. Causes premature failure of the dropouts and/or brake bosses.


Related recall --> Specialized Enduro

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