Hayes Dominion A4 // 4-piston Brake Review // Our New Favorite?

[@Skidsy]

I've been running these for 2 seasons. The lever pulls lighter than anything else in the market. Excellent feel. I strongly recommend these.

[@thebeastmtb]

Do they squeal in the first ride?

[@greatghettoful]

Running Dominions 4 pistons for 2 yrs. Agree with the light/fast lever pull comment. It's way faster than SRAM Code R I have now on enduro bike. I've had better experience running the red or gold MTX ceramic pads (gold have more stopping power but less modulation than red but last longer than red). Ceramic pads tend to run quieter than sintered. Had to upgrade to 203/203 from 203/180 due to brake fade on rear on one extremely steep trail out in LA area. Otherwise, bleeds are fairly straightforward but I use the SRAM pro bleed kit as the Hayes bleed kit I had issues with the hoses getting loose. Only major disadvantage is you likely won't find pads/parts at a bike shop or bike park out of town, for example, so bring spares.

[@darrinkulyk9560]

Excellent Vid 😎 Whats The Weight ?

[@BhBraaq]

Had these added to my bike in September. They're excellent. Love the lever adjustment feature to fit my finger length perfectly. Stopping power is amazing and they look great too.

[@thebeastmtb]

Do they squeal in the first ride?

[@BhBraaq]

@@thebeastmtb I "set them in"after they were installed so no.

[@thebeastmtb]

@@BhBraaq nice. So everything is smooth on your first ride of this brakes?

[@BhBraaq]

@@thebeastmtb yup! Once I figured out how I liked my lever adjusted, they're amazing.

[@cencoast_7.340]

Have a set of Hayes Stoker Aces (4 piston) and they have been completely bulletproof for years and years…love the modulation and power as well. Hayes are underrated for sure.

[@lexusstefan927]

Have these over a year now, heres my experience Power is less than a Magura Mt7/MT5 Bleeding is easy but messy due to DOT fluid Lever feel is amazing, nice and solid under your finger modulation is endless and precise Hayes D rotors are very squeaky no matter what I did to them, pads very sensitive to anything touching them (mud, rain) Currently running them with Nukeproof metallic pads and Magura MDRP rotors, power definitely went up however the modulation is better than ever, favorite brakes to date hands down

[@anttiharing]

How much less is the power from the Mt7's? I'm interested in getting these brakes for myself but I don't want to switch to a "weaker" brake.

[@thebeastmtb]

Im running with magura mdrp rotor, do they squeal with the stock pads of dominion? The mdrp rotor are quite bigger. Did you manage to align properly without rubbing?

[@deponzi]

I have had the same issues with Hayes rotors very loud squeaky , sensitive to anything even dust. I tried the TRP rotors 2.3 no difference maybe I will try Nukeproof pads and MDRP rotors . Thanks

[@josephsielen9136]

The way Dan says “it’s a breeze” is amazing!

[@ScoopCooop]

ASMR

[@kylemcconnell606]

Have em, they are fantastic, won’t be switching brakes in the near future

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Cheers!

[@thedanperl]

@@jerryx2000 Great question, they do not. This is their brake pad - www.fanatikbike.com/products/hayes-dominion-a4-sintered-disc-brake-pads

[@carljones7992]

Are these an upgrade from Guide RSC's

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

@@carljones7992 a huge upgrade! Amazing lever feel, great modulation and tons more stopping power vs the guides (think Code or Saint level power).

[@carljones7992]

@@trugearreviewmtb2226 wow. Thanks bud I'm sold

[@trueerbeck4817]

These brakes are rad! i would love to upgrade from my guides, but i'm a kid so.... no job, no money.

[@northwestmountainbikeaddic6874]

Just bought a set of these today…. Got them on and cut to length, and tomorrow I’m going to bleed them, and go test them at my local trails Pilchuck tree farm

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Enjoy! - Dan P.

[@northwestmountainbikeaddic6874]

@@FanatikBikeCo they are amazing brakes, I’m already faster , now with them , they give me so much confidence

[@seatpostman]

I've just purchased the Dominions A4 which will replace my (beloved) Code RSC brakes. Just found a great offer on the Hayes brakes so as an experiment I decided to replace the Sram brakes because I heard lots of positive opinios about these Hayes Dominion brakes. Hovever I really like the feeling and strength of Code brakes I was sometimes missing the power of braking during long descends (200 mm / 200 mm rotors). My 1st impression with the Hayes levers is kind of strange. I love the springiness of Code levers, which Dominions seem not to have. Sure, the lever works absolutely light, but te return to start position does not give me satisfying feedback. I hope that it is a matter of habit, but I wish the dominions had a little bit stronger "return spring". I'm totally excited how will they work on trails. I have 203 / 203 rotors for them and semi metallic pads. Waiting forward for my 1st ride!

[@tylerbruce5731]

Yeah these are fantastic brakes. Been using them for about 6 months and just took them off my bike to use them for another bike build. Even bought a pair for my 7 year old sons bike. The J-unit version which is the same caliper and master cylinder but with the smaller lever. Along with Manitou Mezzer I gotta say Hayes is doing some great stuff.

[@thebeastmtb]

Do they squeal in the first ride?

[@steveedwards5280]

Seems like a great brake, just like the Manitou forks, but while we get zero technical support here in the UK, Hayes will never gain market share no matter how good the products are.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Fair enough. I personally have run Codes since they were released for that very reason. Cheers - Dan at Fanatik

[@Fincher123]

Because of the Lever Feel: I use to build on my bicycle, so i build a shigura Mod. And the Shhimano metal lever is kinda nice to touch on the BL-M8100, i defenetly like the XTR Carbon Lever more! He is thicker and warm to the touch when using without gloves. But you need to modify the lever and turn down material top side and bottom side where it is rotating. So for me the lever fit and feels way better than the metall version =)

[@dash0173]

lever feel is the biggest thing for me, then stopping power. the whole reason why i ONLY use shimano brakes is 10% because of how easy the maintenance on them is and 90% how they feel if bled properly. i love that instant max power with very little finger pulling effort. i put saints pads in my 4 piston xt's and they literally almost throw me over the bars everytime i touch them

[@Coerced]

that's exactly why I hate shimano brakes

[@rafaelgodoy3703]

i've figured out that has a lot to do with your finger position. I love shimano brakes too but for me the only way to modulate their power ia by using just the tip of my finger to brake, wich is what i naturally do.

[@dash0173]

@@Coerced to each their own!

[@pressrolls]

haha....try a 4 piston Hayes. You will throw rocks at those garbage Shitmanos. (AKA Grimeca)

[@adanielweaver]

I am totally interested, but I'd want to feel it myself before buying them... Had good luck with Code RSC on my Enduro bike and Code R on my hardtail (which I was lucky Fanatik had in stock this summer).

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

You wouldn’t regret it. The lever feel is incredible. Imagine an old shimano v brake lever that’s not hooked to a cable and that’s how light the lever feel is. Power is equal or better to Code or Saint. I had code RSC on all of my bikes and on the first day I tried the Dominions I replaced them all (trail bike, Dh bike and dirt jumper).

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

@@Error-hc7mp 1000% better. Shimano brakes are known for their lack of modulation (but incredible power). The hayes have incredible modulation and massive power. Best brakes tried to date.

[@seatpostman]

I've just purchased the Dominions A4 which will replace my beloved Code RSC brakes. My 1st impression with the Hayes levers is kind of strange. I love the springiness of Code levers, which Dominions seem not to have. I hope that it is a matter of habit, but I wish the dominion. Did you finally buy them, what are your impressions?

[@RCKING1]

Finally people are realizing there so damn good! Took people long enough

[@nba23ross]

Do you need to buy the peacemaker for SRAM just ordered

[@FanatikBikeCo]

We know, we wish we'd known sooner!

[@seatpostman]

@@nba23ross I'm looking for the peacemaker, (left and right) but they are crazy expensive! For now I left the matchmakers from Sram Code next to the Dominion levers

[@northwestmountainbikeaddic6874]

Been look at these for a while now….. I ride Pilchuck tree farm Pilchuck side and Gailbraith mountain and the ant better stopping power and I like the looks of these and they sound like they have great power and modulation, which is what I’m looking for

[@donavinnezar]

i think most people who have been running any sram or shimano brakes would cringe at how my brakes feel super squishy rear brakes(hose expansion theyre bled pretty well) and bushins that are so damn worn that the levers have around 4mm of play no longer even running the reccomended mineral oil as i cheaped out and took some industrial hydraulic oil (shell tellus s68)from work the hydraulic oil has been doing very well tho

[@MaxArtbovich]

What rotors would you recommend for this brakes (centerlock )? Thank you!

[@tomhsia4354]

Lever feel is why I strongly prefer centerpull cantilevers over v-brakes. You can make centerpull cantilevers extremely smooth with a really light lever not possible on v-brakes with their cable noodles. If you do the cables right, you can make centerpull cantilevers smoother than many hydraulic brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are still king, IMO.

[@OptimusCrime_69]

what about the trickstuff maxima? too powerful? too expensive? or ist it just a hype?

[@GokkunGuru]

That black gold is a beauty.

[@juancamtb]

Hello, I'm running the TRP DHR Evos, how do these compares?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Both are excellent brakes. I personally prefer the lever feel of the TRP's but both have a ton of power!

[@juancamtb]

@@FanatikBikeCo Is it possible to you to say one is more powerful than the other? I'm really happy with the TRPs but I'm about to build another bike and the Hayes are way less expensive for me.

[@connorarmstrong1308]

Kind of unrelated but Im stuck between a few bikes, the knolly warden, transition patron and the revel rail. I'm leaning towards the knolly because of the short chain stay, the alloy frame (my local trails are crazy rocky) and the rest of the geometry but I have no idea how the suspension feels on any of them I like a progressive supportive feel to my suspension so I can push and pop throught the trail. What bikewould you recommend

[@FanatikBikeCo]

The Warden definitely suit those requirements! The Rail is going to feel the most playful, in a large part because of it's weight and more neutral geometry (the other two bikes are plows), but it is, as you mentioned, carbon. Give us a holler at [e-mail] if you want to continue the discussion! Cheers

[@raivkka4313]

Had a Pacific Northwest Carbon bike and got a Knolly, love it. Especially after dropping it several time on sharp granite! We have super rocky and wet trails over here in New England so the Knolly suspension works well. But, they are heavy. Most important Investment in a Knolly, the lightest appropriate wheelset for your terrain.

[@darrinkulyk9560]

I have a CF Warden Its AMAZING Had it for a yr now 5000 km NO issues was at Whistler sunday I live and Ride Vancouver Daily . DEFINITELY Get a Coil works EXCELLENT With the lever ratio . GLAD I bought mine .

[@hannal9229]

Ever heard of Trickstuff brakes? They are the real kings...

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Ha! Very true! But so expensive!

[@steveedwards5280]

Great brakes, but the lead time was over 12 months and they've now closed their production facility to relaunch with increased capacity

[@grrlewis1]

Do you have to run these brakes with the Hayes thicker rotor, or will they work with standard rotors?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

They'll work with a SRAM/Shimano rotor.

[@thebeastmtb]

I have a rattle issue on my brake pads. I check it’s a bit lose that cause the rattle noise. Is there any solution for it?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Try prying the pad spring apart a little so that it exerts more outward force on the pads. - Dan at Fanatik

[@RugerTSanchez]

Would these work with a set of Hope floating rotors?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

I haven't tried it, but I wouldn't bet on it. The rivets will hit the caliper on a lot of other brakes. They don't work with Shimano or SRAM calipers, for example. - Dan on Fanatik

[@mf3616]

how would these compare to the XT M8120? Im using the XT now and wondering apart from the lever feel, is it much of a difference?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

They do feel a bit more powerful to me, but not massively so. The lever feel is quite a bit lighter, which it sounds like you already knew! - Dan at Fanatik

[@lakaldrak]

are these compatible with hopetech vented rotor brake discs (3.4mm) ?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

That is a wider rotor than I'd put in there; I'd say no, sorry! - Dan at Fanatik

[@joshjohnson5902]

Better than the new TRP DH-R EVO?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

In my opinion! Cheers - Dan at Fanatik

[@MartinTeerly]

I've heard they go mad and mental on hot weather

[@tylerbruce5731]

Ive been riding them for 6 months and I live in Dubai. No heat issues of note.

[@MartinTeerly]

@@tylerbruce5731 that's good news. People say that they have same problem as SRAM brakes. They swole in the sun.

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

Had three sets on three bikes in Las Vegas, HOT and never had a single issue. Are you sure you’re not confusing SRAM’S awful lever issues in the heat (code and guide).

[@tylerbruce5731]

@@MartinTeerly Sram doesnt have this problem. Some Sram Guides had this problem, including a set I had. But with a nee piston my Guides dont do this anymore and the Codes dont have this issue.

[@nba23ross]

Can't believe these brakes didn't fit in my 21 Specialized Enduro

[@FanatikBikeCo]

What do you mean?

[@nba23ross]

@@FanatikBikeCo I bought the brakes and the rear brake didn't fit in the frame by the crank had to return them unfortunately 😔

[@bjornadams3401]

@@nba23ross I've been running the Hayes A4s on my 2020 Enduro for over a year. I cannot imagine going back to Codes or XTRs. I would seriously change bikes before I stopped using Hayes A4s and I really like the enduro. You do have to clip off compression ring and use a new one to make it fit through the frame.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

@@nba23ross Hmm, you must be talking about the compression bushing, as Bjorn said. I believe they come with an extra one in the box. If you take it to your local bike shop they'll be able to get it installed for you! Cheers - Dan at Fanatik

[@mra6206]

Were can i get the?

[@adanielweaver]

They have them on their site in stock. www.fanatikbike.com/products/hayes-dominion-a4-disc-brake?variant=32623360639022

[@FanatikBikeCo]

www.fanatikbike.com/products/hayes-dominion-a4-disc-brake

[@hjalteholdgaard3814]

Remy metallier uses them

[@FanatikBikeCo]

What better praise could you ask for!

[@claritean]

your new farourite = my old favourite

[@FanatikBikeCo]

What's your new favorite?

[@thebeastmtb]

It is compatible to magura MDRP rotors?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Magura rotors are a bit thicker, so not ideal, but it'll work. It's just a little harder to make sure there's no rubbing.

[@theshadow8008]

Is it available here in the Philippines? T. Y.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Yep! www.fanatikbike.com/products/hayes-dominion-a4-disc-brake

[@vladislavkhobot]

Hayes dominion a4 or shimano Saint?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Both great options, can't go wrong! You *may* have more luck finding Dominions right now though. We have those, but not Saints, and Shimano stuff is really hard to find currently. www.fanatikbike.com/products/hayes-dominion-a4-disc-brake?variant=32623360671790 - Dan at Fanatik

[@pinkis2242]

I’m between these and the shimano Xt M8120 (4 piston). Any advice

[@11leonidas11]

I just installed these, did a lot of research first. All out power is comparable for both but I personally don't like the sudden bite of Shimano. Plus my brother's shimanos have had issues with loss of lever which I've heard isn't uncommon. Honestly, the lever feel of these Hayes is unreal.

[@treymann23]

Hayes hands down

[@jesusmynigga471]

@@11leonidas11 definitely I've tried xt/slx/zee and saints. After around 6 months they stopped getting that sudden bight in the lever switched the pads out and bled them but the lever was still pulling back way more to get to that full power getting the Hayes soon so excited on that

[@pressrolls]

run away from shitmano

[@LivingInSoCal]

How do these compare to Sram G2 Ultimate?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

More powerful (akin to Codes) and a lighter lever feel. Those are my two big differences. Cheers - Dan at Fanatik

[@GokkunGuru]

ODI Rogue grips?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Yep! www.fanatikbike.com/products/odi-rogue-lock-on-grips

[@christianjunge8449]

Top tip, don’t buy the Hayes bleed kit. For me it was not airtight and I was getting bubbles all over. Use your SRAM pro bleed kit with metal fittings, fits the Hayes calipers and lever perfectly.

[@danielsaloka5739]

How do these compare to hopes

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Obviously not quite as fancy, but I personally like the bleed, set up, and feel better. - Dan at Fanatik

[@robertfries8645]

Can you do sick tricks on the bike?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

No, unfortunately. Sorry. Dan at Fanatik

[@jimmyinthaphanh2993]

These Dominion A4s or Magura MT7s?

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Dominion! In my opinion. I don't like how Magura levers feel. Cheers - Dan at Fanatik

[@lexusstefan927]

Use both( Mt7 on dh bike, hayes on enduro) and the lever construction and feel is way better on Hayes but I you want mo powa baby definitely mt7s 🤣

[@garrybear6555]

Hi fanatik bike

[@rataflas]

The best

[@dajerseyrat]

That's not really a review, yeah they look really pretty, but it needs a review on actual performance.

[@josh_on_bikes]

The background looks familiar, hmm World Wide Cyclery.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

In that it's a desk with a wall behind it? Both retailers have been making bike related videos for many years, I don't think either of us is outright "copying" each other. Only so many ways to concisely present information about something. Thanks for watching! - Dan at Fanatik

[@dfalahkhir]

@@FanatikBikeCo Joshy drinkn that haterade.. focus on the content bud

[@consumerofbananas445]

Does anyone have a power and modulation comparison between these and Shimano Saints? Also, which one is more downhilly? I'm currently on the fence between the two.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

The Dominion A4 has substantially better modulation. Power is comparable.

[@consumerofbananas445]

@@FanatikBikeCo ok thanks. I've been looking around and it doesn't seem like any of the 23mm post mounts for the A4's are available. Would it be possible for me to use a Shimano 23mm post mount or no.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

@@consumerofbananas445 It would, although I'm out of those too. We do have the Magura ones though, which you can use: www.fanatikbike.com/products/magura-disc-brake-adapters?variant=32634250307

[@NoBrakes23]

Hayes had an even worse reputation than Avid for a while there. Good to see them coming back. DOT is a deal breaker for me, (Can't quit my mineral oil) but these are nice looking.

[@pressrolls]

Jesus.....mineral oil SUCKS. DOT is what gives you solid feel rather than squishy garbage performance (NO bite or stopping power plus fade)....Shimano is basically the old (and shitty) Grimeca junk Italian design with GARBAGE mineral oil. TERRIBLE brakes!

[@simonarends7802]

Could you (theoretically) use a Sram bleed kit to bleed the brakes?

[@tylerbruce5731]

Yes. The ports is the same threading as the SRAM lever port.

[@markusklemm4516]

Theoretically? Yes. As someone who's used both a Sram bleed kit and the Hayes bleed kit, the Hayes was easier to use on these. The Sram kit will work in a pinch, though. You may find it easier to pull the o-rings off the fittings of the Sram bleed kit, the Dominion bleed ports aren't designed to work with the o-rings.

[@dougmarbourg]

The RS Reverb bleed kit works just dandy. Almost through down ($50+) on the Hayes kit, and tried the RS. Presto! Perfect fit.

[@tehalexy]

1:00 "any brake can stop you" ... any brake can stop YOU because u're the usual lightweight customer ...

[@dandan1364]

It can probably stop 1/2 of me.

[@CHOPERUS23]

Why haven't they gone to using mineral oil instead of dot 5.1 hydraulic fluid and why have they kept the awful master cylinder design of the Hayes 9 system?! That combination of dot fluid and the master cylinder design is a perfect storm for leaks.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

It is not the Hayes 9 master cyclinder. DOT fluid lasts longer and deals with temperature changes better than mineral oil.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

@@polarizedpotstone Good question. This fella has a more in-depth answer than I could give, take a look: www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2s9ckt/why_is_brake_fluid_hygroscopic/

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

They’re a full ground up redesign. Literally every single part of the brake is new, nothing reused, nothing regurgitated or carries over from any prior design.

[@pressrolls]

Jesus.....mineral oil SUCKS. DOT is what gives you solid feel rather than squishy garbage performance (NO bite or stopping power plus fade)....Shimano is basically the old (and shitty) Grimeca junk Italian design with GARBAGE mineral oil. TERRIBLE brakes!

[@johnsonjay60]

Magura, trp,hayes,paul

[@BMH1965]

Other reviewers report weak braking action.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Huh. That is not something any of us have encountered. Our two enduro athletes, Eric Olsen and Andrew Cavaye, just finished the first three EWS races on them and didn't have any issues. - Dan at Fanatik

[@Dark__Thoughts]

Too bad they don't come in full black.

[@MarshallStrider]

They do now! ;)

[@trentvlak]

PITA to bleed.

[@TheOldFrenchGoatProduction]

they need to change the name of it ....No buddy like the world Dominion right now

[@k.bercero2921]

Best brakes on the market!!!! Check my bike check video

[@Photosbydrew]

Are you kidding me that jingling of the metal is so cringe!!! Couldn’t re shot it? Omg

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Jingling of the metal?

[@madeiradriftin4429]

Sounds like quality to me!

[@walrusinanus]

The music in the background is really disturbing and unnecessary.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Sorry WalrusInAnus! Doug has been keeping the background silent in our more recent videos, like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXqnlnpnnL2WibM Cheers - Dan at Fanatik

[@greatghettoful]

@@FanatikBikeCo LMAO it was very relaxing to me. He makes it sound like it was the soundtrack for the Shining.

[@siriosstar4789]

" never heard of " rubbish . any half aware MTBEr has heard of dominion .