I’ve not ridden many mountain bikes other than my own. The last one was my mate’s Orange 5 and the brakes had so much lever travel I thought I was going to die.

I’ve got Hayes Nine’s which like my forks are on their third bike and they seem fine to me. Just wondering if things have moved on significantly and if I’d have to spend a bundle to better them.

Ta

No, but in the few years before that yes.

Hayes nines are reliable old clunky brakes, modern kit (even the budget brakes) are a lot more refined than nines.

They have become more powerful (certainly the new xt ones are incredible) but after locking up at 30mph, front and rear, I’m not too sure how much more power you’d want!

I think Shimano have come on a lot but can’t comment on other brands.

The latest XTs as said above are amazing.

I was always a big fan of Hayes brakes. The various sets I’ve had have all been fab…really powerful, a tad unsubtle and reliable.

My new XT’s are great but I’m jot sure that they’re a huge step up from the Stroker Aces that they replaced, which in turn never felt much more powerful that the Nines I had (although I did always run silly big rotors).

I do think the other brands have got more powerful. My XT’s are certainly more powerful than the original Saints that I had.

Personally I hate hayes brakes as they have very little lever travel and no modulation.

Each to their own eh 😉

the difference between my old Oro K24’s from 2008 and 2012 XT’s is astounding.

Formula r1s are very very good, a racer friend uses Magura mt8s, very light and powerful, read they’ve had a few issues and been recalled, or did I make that up.

Hayes 9s I had were reliable and then the calipers started to rot – paint flaked off and then seals went. Meanwhile my old Shimano 525 have gone on for years….

Another one that likes lots of lever free travel. I want the levers to pull up pretty close to the bars before the brakes are really working, my brake finger is both more sensitive and stronger well wrapped round the lever. However I want them well out the way when I’m not using them.
Personal preference. I wouldn’t run brakes that can’t be set up that way.

I’m odd. I like a firm lever that bites if I even sneeze near it. 🙂

Some brakes have certainly improved but I’d put any of the new stuff up against my 4 year old Magura Louise Carbons. I simply cannot fault them. 🙂

I like brakes that bite hard too and run them close to the bars and in board as far as possible for one finger braking. The Hayes blades are always mega long so I end up with the brakes well down the bars. I think it was the harshness of the Hayes bite that I likes, especially compared to the M4 of he same era. My current XT’s bite pretty hard.