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Using a lighter on the cut off bit of hose to soften it helps the barb come out easy btw.
travo
Just recieved mine, the rears I ordered both came with olives and barbs,
So... a separate olive/barb, not the one piece ones that others mentioned above?
Answered my own question, there are old (one piece olive/barb) and new(two pieces) versions. Looks all very normal, tbh
Any chance we can get some real world feedback off you lot? After you've got your setups sorted and ridden a bit, with reference to what you're comparing them to. Not asking for much like 😉 I've heard these brakes are about as good as you can get without spending silly money.
There are a few threads on here (if you can find them) with feedback from those of us who already have them. Compared to my old SRAM G2 RSCs they're on a different planet in terms of power so less fatiguing, yet the feel and modulation is great too.
@chestercopperpot at the price they are you can't buy a better brake. I bought my A4s 3 years ago, set them up, bled them, literally done nothing since apart from change pads. Marks a change in maintenence from shimano, avid and magura that preceeded them. In term of use they are very linear, very controllable, have bottomless power (for me as a 14st rider, wheels lock up on any terrain before I have to squeeze hard) and have zero friction at the lever.
I'm having to try very hard not to buy a second set for my hack hardtail to replace the xt m785s on there that are maybe 14 years old now....
Ooo don't I've had my eye on them for a while and heard nothing but good things about them.
Trouble is both my bikes have brakes that work, ispec mounted shifters, use the same pads and Shimano rotors that are in good condition. Work in the Shimano way, need bleeding more often than I deem as acceptable/normal though.
I've had dominions for a year or so now, I've previously had hope V4s, Shimano and Code rsc's, I always thought the codes were brilliant brakes once set up correctly but the Dominions are simply better in everyway.
Solid, consistent, low maintenance, piece of p1ss to bleed and align etc etc
Once they're set up they just work, they're a bit more grabby than codes but have a good modulation and very light lever pull.
I've now got three sets and won't consider any other brakes.
Only minor points are they can be a bit noisy when wet (sintered pads) and getting hold of genuine spare parts is almost impossible.
So you guys who have had them for a while , what pads are you using as I will need to buy some spares.
They are not plentiful, but see uber has some race matrix and you can get genuine and maybe Galfer
Genuine semi-metallics are doing great for me, wouldn't bother with anything else with these now being £12 at Wiggle. Used to be £19 though so I have a set of Galfer Red/advanced to try next.
Genuine semi-metallics are doing great for me
£9.99 on CRC...
Cheers , will get a couple genuine semi metallic in. Always like the semi over sintered after going through too many rotors and the awful noise when wet.
What are the A2s like?
Slightly lighter, slightly less power, still very good. Most reviews question their existence as the weight saving is negligible while the power loss is noticeable. They aren't xc brakes.
The A2 has a pair of 24mm pistons instead of the A4's two pairs of 17mm. According to the brake spreadsheet, that's the same surface area, so power difference must be down to 2 vs. 4 piston configuration alone.
Having held the pads for both there is a big difference in braking surface area which may explain the relative power.
Next stupid question - what do people do for aftermarket pads?
Uberbike.
Too much lever throw for my liking. New rotors have been ordered. But after a short ride today I am seriously impressed. They feel top quality.
Extremely easy to bleed and set up.
New to these brakes, if I use these to replace existing Shimano ones on the bike, would it work to use the existing Shimano adaptors and disc?
That NSMB review is terrible. Testing 4 pots on a rigid single speed is like testing triple crown suspension forks on a road bike.
I did wonder
That NSMB review is terrible. Testing 4 pots on a rigid single speed is like testing triple crown suspension forks on a road bike.
That writer is insufferable. Every review is really about how smart and original he is.
These are now £85 an end. I am almost tempted to get another pair. CRC also honoured the new price by sending me £40 of vouchers when I asked.
I can also confirm the sram +40mm adaptor don't work with these so have ordered a hope one.
Tempted to get these and sell my hope tech e4s! Anyone ridden both?
CRC also honoured the new price by sending me £40 of vouchers when I asked.
How did you do that? Email? Chat? Phone?
nicholas_yiu
Full Member
These are now £85 an end. I am almost tempted to get another pair. CRC also honoured the new price by sending me £40 of vouchers when I asked.I can also confirm the sram +40mm adaptor don’t work with these so have ordered a hope one.
How did you get them down to £85 per end, struggling to get that to work.
Order one at a time and use the code to get £25 off each order.
Got the £40 voucher through chat. They did say it's an "exception" though. The code to get £25 off is SAVE by the way and you do have to order front and rear separately.
I don't really need them, but noticed also last night down to 85 per end. Couldn't resist, so thats all three bikes now on A4s. lovely biscuits. Simplifies spares/pads a bit too. (sort of justification, but not really!)
I don't need them, but since the days of cheaply replaced shimano brakes have ended, I figured at this price it would be silly for me to not take a punt on a set of these.
since the days of cheaply replaced shimano brakes have ended,
I picked up a pair of Deore 6120 for £110 a few months ago.
They are doing a great job on my enduro bike (but obviously that's not the same kind of test as on a rigid steel bike).
Off topic a tad, but I checked the save deals at CRC on the back of this PSA and noted that they had the Guide RE for £45 an end. My guide R are around six years old now and lacking a bit of power despite a bleeding edge bleed, so for two rear brakes (possibly without clamps but I have them on the bars already) and a token Fox t-short for the lad to get it over £100, got a pair of brakes and the shirt for £82.
Not sure if it's possible to do the part piston push, split hose then push back technique with guides, when shortening the hose, so may need to buy a bleed kit.
I was going to go for the formula Cura 2-pot, but we'll see how the RE performs. A mate has them and says they are much more powerful, going from the guide R.
Back up to 139 or 114 with the save code .
I wasn't quick enough due to work commitments to get the brilliant price of £85 but a quick chat to query the recent price fluctuations in the last 24 hrs,seems if the price is reduced further they will honour the lower price for 24 hours for previous orders.
Hence why the price has probably gone back up and was told to keep checking back for further reductions although the lady couldn't guarantee it.
So could be some people ordered happy with the price then wanted a few quid more off when they saw the evennlower price.
Shame to miss out at 85, they're the best brakes around by far and I'd like another 3 brakes ideally.
Looks like I just scraped in at the lower price.
Will feedback in a couple of weeks, depending on the weather...
Glad they’ve gone up, saved me from myself 😂
The offer has changed as well as the price, you snooze you lose, I thought they would have sold out by now, they must have a boat load.
I'll remain happy that I got them at the 95 price, still a bangin deal.
What rotors are people using successfully with them? Currently got some well used 'resin only' shimano ones on my wheels which I am pretty sure will not be any good with these. Keep reading that they need thicker rotors.
I'm running Magura Storm HC rotors 2mm thick and pretty good price. I paid sub 25 at local bike shop. No stock at CRC but at least you can see.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/magura-storm-hc-disc-brake-rotor/rp-prod156322
What rotors are people using successfully with them? Currently got some well used ‘resin only’ shimano ones on my wheels which I am pretty sure will not be any good with these. Keep reading that they need thicker rotors.
Over the last 3 yrs of use, I don't really notice any difference between 2mm+ rotors or more normal thicknesses (1.8mm or something like that?).
FWIW, I think the Hayes rotors do work well with them, as have standard SRAM rotors, cheapy floating ones from eBay etc etc. But for now, I really like the Galfer Wave 2mm discs. Nice and quiet with their green pads.
Keep reading that they need thicker rotors.
I presume this refers to thicker than most rotors, rather than thicket than the standard 1.95mm ones. I have those and wouldn't like to try thicker, especially when pads are new. They scraped for a bit after a bit of slightly muddy water, and was tricky to refit the front wheel after transport for a few rides.
Those crosshair screws to help align them are there due to how close to the rotors they run, not because the designers thought it'd be nice. The high leverage ration that gives them their power, also means the pistons don't move a lot hence needing to be close to the rotor.
Do these work with shimano adaptors?
Also can anyone recommend some centerlock discs to go with them? Thanks
Something coming tomorrow 4.4.2023 from Hayes, according to their Instagram.
Might be a 223mm rotor, although the one in the background here looks like a 160mm. Or purple A4s.
