Has anyone tried the Hayes Prime Pro or Expert?
I've seen reviews raving about them and a few saying that they're better than the XT's. They say they have the same braking power with no fade and better modulation.
I have been riding a set of Prime Pro brakes for a couple months. Just to be clear, I have the model year just before the Crosshair feature came out, but other than that, they are just like the current model AFAIK. I started out with 180/160 rotors and they were too small (would be with any brand) for long descents. Since I am a larger than average clyde, I can make just about any brakeset (used with smaller rotors) squeal once they get heated up. The XT/SLX brakes are no exception, and neither are the Primes. If the descent is long enough and steep enough to have me on the binders, I can make 160 and 180 rotors cry like a baby. Rotor size is critical to eliminating fade and squeal for me no matter what model brake I have used, and that includes XT w/Ice Tech.
As you know, the modulation on XT/SLX brakes is pretty far toward the on-off end of the spectrum, but for me is just a matter of me adjusting to the way they work. I really like the XT/SLX brakes, and feel the ergonomics are especially good and make one finger braking feel incredibly natural. The Primes are a little less of the on-off type feel. I am getting less than smooth feedback at times, but may need to change pads to either a new set of the same (since I may have glazed them with the smaller rotors), or possibly a different than stock compound. They don't always feel that way, but do occasionally. On long-ish descents, they are actually feel great once they get warmed up with 203 rotors front and rear. For instance, not a peep from them riding McGill a few weeks ago with the larger rotors. Power is there regardless of rotor size.
As for the ergonomics, they are closer to the goodness that is XT/SLX than they are any Avids I have used. Very natural to use one finger for me, and the adjustments make getting them the way you like them, very quick and easy.
