Purple Hayes Dominion A4 Brake

I got a set of Purple Hayes for my Shore with party paint, both because they were a perfect complement for the bike, and because I've never seen a bad review of these brakes, with most reviewers dicussing all out power rather than modulation, while never suggesting they have an on-off feel. Excellent modulation can only really exist with power after all. My only regret is paying someone to install them, as shortly after I talked a riding buddy into getting some and installed them on his Stumpy EVO with reletive ease. Bleeding the brakes is a no brainer; my only suggestion is looking it up on YouTube as Hayes has a video on the process and their process works well. I love that the brakes come with both pad options, and I left the semi-metallics in (which I avoided using in all prior brakes I've used) for my fist real ride in anger.

2000 feet of descent in about 6 miles. The brakes never required more than one finger, and never felt glazed or overheated. With great power (and well designed brakes) comes great modulation, and it was there in spades. While I never required more than one finger, and while it was easy to lock up either brake, it was even easier to gently modulate them for maximum braking without skidding tires. So I'll give them the highest praise I think brakes can be given. In 2000 feet of descent, I didn't use two fingers once, and I didn't have to think about braking. Nailed it.

This was only my riding buddy's second outing on his (also an always sintered kinda guy) and during the drive we agreed that we'll likely leave the semi-metallics on until they need replacement, then we'll try the sintered and decide on our preferences. For my part, as I can afford to, I will be changing all my bikes over to Hayes Dominions.

My only request of Hayes is that they make one more limited series. Pink Mist (hot pink) brakes. I need these as well!

Ticks every box with ease!
Perfect modulation, lots of power in every situation. Ease of installation and set up. One of the nicest lever feels and bite point feeling. Updated all my bikes with them after getting the first one. Completely trouble free over a complete bikepark season with over 70 days riding, just a bleed here and there.

Hands down the best brake within its price class! with a lot of little, but damn effective, innovations!
The only thing i miss a little bit, coming from Hope and Shimano brakes, is a bleed fitting on the saddle. Would be great if there would be an aftermarket or retrofit option for those...

As a mechanical engineer I fell in love with the design of these brakes. The thought porting inside the brakes ensures an even piston actuation, the micro adjustment on the caliper is the icing on the cake, makes brake alignment a sure thing. I love to ride steep descents and I am a big guy, about 240lbs geared when all geared up. I never worry about stopping power. I run the sintered pads so they never have any fade. The thicker rotors don’t warp and I put a lot of heat into them. I have them on both of my bikes, a Yeti SB130 and a Trek Fuel EX.
The brakes also look great. I am running the bronze on the Yeti and the purples ones on the Trek. The purple looks even better on the bike than they do one the web.

These brakes feel amazing! I liked them so much, I had to get another set for my wife! The purple looks beautiful on our bikes!

I have lusted after the Grand Daddy Purple Hayes for many, many years now, so when I got a chance to buy some, I jumped.

Right out of the box, these purple nuggs looked amazing. The finish is just stunning. The other thing that really stood out was the size of the pads. Damn. I got them mounted and bled, which was super straight forward. My Sram Pro bleed kit worked just fine. No leaks, no muss, no fuss, no excessive fluid spillage. I give the edge to Sram's bleeding edge tech, but seriously not by much, and the dual port and crosshair more than make up for that. Speaking of the crosshair adjusters, where have you been my whole life!! Probably the best feature I never knew I needed, and really I don't need them, but I don't see myself giving them up anytime soon. So useful, so convenient.

I haven't done much more that a little burn in ride, but I like the light action on the lever and the power is for reals. I for sure added a couple LSC clicks, and I might have to drop a rotor size in the back, but I'm sure after a couple basic rides, my fingers will adjust.