Model/Year: 2010 (white)

Pros: -Great stopping power
-Good modulation
-Cheap!

Cons: -Bleeding isn't the easiest but it's not as hard as my Avid Elixirs
-Stock pads wore fast

Recommendation: These are great hydraulic brakes for the money. I do not recommend using them without Hayes rotors. I ran them with Avid cleansweep rotors initially and was not at all happy with the performance until I installed Hayes rotors.

Pros: - easy to adjust
- lots of adjustment
- have been very durable
- have been a perfect XC brake

Cons: -levers loosen over time and can rattle a bit over chudder
- not the easiest to bleed
- pads aren't the more popular usualy have to get em online

Recommendation: I have used these brakes for about 4 years and I love them. they have been very durable as I have abused these brakes in all kinds of conditions and have been flipped wheels over handlebars several times. They have never negatively effected my ride!

Model/Year: 2009

Pros: Cheap. They'll get the job done for XC riding and the majority of trail rides that don't include long DH sections.

Cons: Not simple to bleed. Need to switch the fluid out to DOT 5 to get less fade. Much stronger brakes out on the market now.

Recommendation: These can be found for cheap now that the model is discontinued. As said above, they'll get the job done for most XC and trail rides. Good for a starter hydro or a back up set.

Model/Year: 2009

Pros: Awesome stopping power, especially when coupled with a 180mm front disk. Adjustable lever pull is awesome and very quick. Very easy to modulate braking.

Cons: Rears sing a bit, though that might be the fault of the pads and not the brake system as a whole. I need to look at whether one pad is making contact with the rotor and see if I can adjust that.

Recommendation: First intro to hydraulic brakes and I'm sold. I liked mechanical due to their simplicity, but the feel, control, and power I get with the hydraulic are just incredible.

Pros: Very strong brakes, great modulating, adjustable levers, and easy set-up

Cons: None, but can see why white is not too popular...LOL

Recommendation: Great stopping power, very durable, looks great, ease of mounting and maintenance, and great value. A step up from the Rydes which are good, but not like the Trails.

Pros: Supper grippy, adjustable lever, nice reach and easy setup.

Cons: White gets dirty from brake dust.

Recommendation: Rotors a little thick, but durable. Great stopping power and value.

Pros: Great stopping power. I like the easy reach adjustment

Cons: nothing

Recommendation: I think theses brakes are great. i've had no problems with them and bleeding hasnt been an issue for me

Pros: Good brake, descent modulation, reach adjust, does its job.

Cons: pain in the ass to bleed, a lot of slop in the lever.

Recommendation: These are a good trail brake, but fade on long descents, a royal pain to bleed, needs bleeding a couple of times a season after heavy use. Also has quite a bit of slop that can't be adjusted out of the lever leaving an inconsistant feel at the levers.

Pros: Very smooth modulation, great stopping power, easy adjustment, all at a lower cost.

Cons: None yet.

Recommendation: I agree with element with the DOT 5.1, works so much better or more fluid with it. Pretty much the same verdict as element.

Pros: Great modulaton and stopping power, simple setup, easy reach adjustment, relatively cheap.

Cons: Bleeding, while less messy than many other brands, is still a bit of a pain, requiring special fitting screws to fit the bleed ports.

Recommendation: Great brake that you should be able to find a nice price.

Pros: Light-weight, durable, strong, and smooth.

Cons: Calipers stick occasionally.

Recommendation: Pretty quiet, my first hydro setup. Excellent stopping power and modulation witha 6" rotor.

Pros: Good modulation (use DOT 5.1) decent cost and great stopping power

Cons: When first received these had a bit of an issue with lever returning all the way quickly fixed by Hayes at no cost

Recommendation: Great brake lots of power a good brake for all of use who don't want to spend to much money. The great thing is the tech support at Hayes these people really know what customer support is all about!