Hayes Disc Brake 5" Rotor

[BobBurnes]

A few weeks ago, I was the happy recepiant of the new Hayes Carbon Strokers. They sent me the 6" for the front and the all new 5" rear disc option.

As a gate discipline racer, huge over sized brakes aren't really practical. An 8" disc is awesome for some DH and freeride, but the 6" disc was the weapon of chioce for the rest of the field.

Enter the 5" disc from Hayes. It's only offered for the rear brake and mounts easily to the bike using the existing fork mounts with the "up" marker facing away from the bike, though Hayes will sell the 5" with a mounting braket.

I'm a HUGE Hayes fan and have been for years and years. I didn't doubt that the 5" disc would work, but would it be able to contend with a heavy rider who can really heat up a pair of brakes up in a typical track run without fading?

I wasn't surprised to find out the answer-you bet your a*rse it'll stop you without fading!

I didn't notice any brake fade or squeal, even after my 20th run down the track. I would sprint into the berm and then, just before the berm, throw my back end over the back tire and jam that rear brake lever to the grip. I'd then sprint off into the next berm, sprinting down the next line only to repeat the abuse all the way to the finish line.

Obviously, the disc was hot. Very hot. But no brake fade, no squeal.

Maybe I wasn't abusing it enough?

To the downhill runs of Bootleg Canyon.

Three hours later and over 30 runs with me constantly applying pressure to the brake, produced nothing but some brake dust.

The brake works like a champ and, for you gram counters out there, it's a much lighter disc than the 6"-though you'll have to ask the Hayes Bicycle Group people about that this week at the Shimano Winter Series race in Fontana, CA! They'll be attending and my Dialled Bikes Holeshot with the new Hayes Bicycle Group gear will be available for demo. Don't worry about finding me-I'll find you! But if you want to make a preimptive hit, I'm the guy on the Dialled Bikes Holeshot (blue) making my rounds in the vendor area!

Go ahead-give these brakes a test. I dare you to, er', brake 'em!

The 5" disc will work best for XC, AM, some dual slalom, and mountain cross no problems. For the DH and freeride crowd-check out the new Hayes 9" disc and Stroker set up!

Questions? Comments? Come by the Hayes Bicycle Group hang out at the Fontana race. Tell 'em Bob Burnes sent you.

[mtnbikerfred]

I sell industrial brakes power transmission and motion control equipment. Hayes has been making industrial brakes forever. They do extensive lifetime and destructive testing and can tell you how long they'll last and what mode of failure to expect at the end of life of their brakes. The HBG benefits from all this experience. We've known for years that the 6" rotors are overkill for all but the most aggressive applications.

Nice review Bob!!

[BobBurnes]

Originally Posted by mtnbikerfred

I sell industrial brakes power transmission and motion control equipment. Hayes has been making industrial brakes forever. They do extensive lifetime and destructive testing and can tell you how long they'll last and what mode of failure to expect at the end of life of their brakes. The HBG benefits from all this experience. We've known for years that the 6" rotors are overkill for all but the most aggressive applications.

Nice review Bob!!

Thankyou, Mtnbikerfred! I appreciate it!

[92se-r]

That's why I wonder when people claim that Hayes sucks this and fades and whatnot. Makes me wonder how they are set up. I have had nothing but an awesome experience with them. It is the easiest no brainer setup to bleed and easiest to maintain. No stupid retract clips to fool around with. With Valvoline Synthetic DOT3/4 brake fluid, I have a hard time believing anyone could make the fluid fade.

[mtnbikerfred]

I have heard "mixed" reviews of the "synthetic" Dot3/4 compatible fluids. I guess as long as it doesn't turn the seals/bushings to mush, it's OK. It's supposed to be more hydrophobic than conventional fluids (water lowers the boiling point of the fluid, causing fade). I have to be honest here. I've done it wrong and had problems. As long I as I have bled them properly (with brand-new fluid), there is NO air in the bladder, they are sealed, and there in no way for moisture to get into the system. How much better than ZERO FADE can you get for the additional expense of the high-end brake juice? Ever smell the "cooked" mineral oil that comes out of other systems after a year of hard riding?

[92se-r]

Not all synthetic brake fluid is created equal. Castrol sucks balls. Valvoline I've found is the best bang for the buck out there. If you really hate your money, get some Motul, but it is way overkill for biking. This is data garnered from my car racing experience. I don't find the synthetic brake fluid that is good to require more changing than conventional brake fluid due to water.

No brake system is "sealed". Water will always be able to get in.

Hehehe, I've never heard of anyone reusing brake fluid when bleeding. But if you do that, I would recommend penny pinching elsewhere, considering a huge bottle of Valvoline synthetic is 5 bucks. Also, keep in mind that brake fluid is not meant to be stored on a shelf if you break the seal. Just because you bought a big bottle of it, doesn't mean you can use it for the next 10 years. Water will get in.

[BobBurnes]

Originally Posted by 92se-r

Not all synthetic brake fluid is created equal. Castrol sucks balls. Valvoline I've found is the best bang for the buck out there. If you really hate your money, get some Motul, but it is way overkill for biking. This is data garnered from my car racing experience. I don't find the synthetic brake fluid that is good to require more changing than conventional brake fluid due to water.

No brake system is "sealed". Water will always be able to get in.

Hehehe, I've never heard of anyone reusing brake fluid when bleeding. But if you do that, I would recommend penny pinching elsewhere, considering a huge bottle of Valvoline synthetic is 5 bucks. Also, keep in mind that brake fluid is not meant to be stored on a shelf if you break the seal. Just because you bought a big bottle of it, doesn't mean you can use it for the next 10 years. Water will get in.

So very true. If you open it, use it, what ever's left over is trash.

Did anybody get a chance to see the Hayes guys this weekend?