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Hayes Prime Reviews

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Avg Rating: 2 gear reviews
MSRP: $198.00
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Description
PRIME?s multiple industry-first technologies re-establish Hayes as the leader in hydraulic braking systems.



Improved Reach Adjust

Tool-free design that is independent of the contact adjustment. This feature has improved durability and aesthetics over the existing Stroker design. Additionally, mechanical advantage is fixed regardless of lever home position. This means you get the same power and feel with the lever set close to the grip as you do with it set further away.



Mechanical Leverage Ratio

Increased throughout the entire lever stroke, resulting in a high power level later in the stroke. This promotes progressive braking that is more predictable (modulation).



Hydraulic Power Ratio

20% increase in hydraulic ratio over the Stroker Trail. Higher clamp force on the rotor is reached with the same given input at the lever blade.



New Technology: Components

Performance Hose- A new four layer low expansion hose tuned for the Prime?s high mechanical and hydraulic ratios. Power transfer to the caliper pistons is more precise and system feel is more consistent regardless of front and rear hose lengths.

Hayes Tube Tops- Protect the frame?s head-tube and headset cup finish from abrasion and wear at the point where the hydraulic hose makes contact.

Rotor- New low noise and high Mu two-piece rotor. Carries on the original Hayes sweeping fin design patented in 1998, but has a new rub area and is stiffer than the standard one-piece design. At 110 grams for the 6? version, it is also lighter.

Prime Hardware- Nickel plated, titanium and anodized aluminum fasteners resist corrosion and maintain the high-end finish. All hardware is designed and tested to meet precise torque values.

Lever Bushings- New press fit Titacon CL 500 bushings are used in the master cylinder body. This results in precise tolerances and better bearing surface between the lever blade and the body. The system will have smoother actuation and no lever slop.

Clamp Attachment Method- A new two-piece design that allows the master cylinder to be removed without affecting other handlebar components. This offset system is tightened to a stop on the primary side and tightened with a torque wrench on the secondary. This distributes the clamp force evenly on the handlebar and aids in proper assembly.
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Reviews

syd on August 18, 2011
2 out of 2 readers found this useful
 
Model/Year: 2011 Prime Expert

Pros: One of the few brakes out there that actually work as intended..The Poppet cam actually functions properlly and smoothly..The adjustments to reach and contact point are perfect. Power is great and changing pads to the T100 compound gives you even higher levels of power

Cons: none

Recommendation: Really good brakes that work very well..These are perfect for the AM-DH crowd..Due to the weight of these and the power level of braking I don't think these are necessary for Xc bikes. The lever and calipers are redesigns that work great. I love the ease of changing pads. Removing the pin and pulling the pads out is all you have to do...

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trentb1 on January 30, 2012
1 out of 1 readers found this useful
 
Model/Year: 2011 Prime Pro w/ Hayes 2-piece rotor 160/160mm

Pros: Poppet Cam allows you to adjust the pad engagement, tool-less reach adjust, reliable, no fade, pad easy to change

Cons: noisy when wet..not many places stock the parts/pads

Recommendation: So I have about 300 miles on this brake system and use them for aggressive cross-country riding. They are a tad heavy and probably over kill but I love them. The poppet cam allows you to adjust the "bite" and is a great feature to have. I'd like to point out is that the rotors will eventually develop play, they are advertised as fixed-float and are when you first buy them but eventually play they will develop between the rotor spider and braking surface. I emailed Hayes about this and the Hayes tech assured me there would be not issue and I have not had any. (Hayes support is great, answered my email next day) They even sent me a new rotor that I have sitting as a backup. I haven't had to bleed them yet but these definitely look like a much better experience than my old HFX-9. Other than that these are really powerful brakes and I've never had them fade once.

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