Hayes Radar brakes

For its frst mineral fuid-flled brake, Hayes has hit it out of the park. These bargain brakes offer incredibly easy setup and a robust build. Even though the hardware is simple – just a bolt with a single washer – the calipers didn’t migrate at all when I was cinching them down. This is due in part to the side-mounted setscrews that Hayes calls the ‘Crosshair Alignment System.’ Adjusting the setscrews is easy and cuts down signifcantly on time spent tuning out rotor rub.

Lever feel is silky smooth, actuation is squish-free and pad retraction is satisfactory. Mineral fuid won’t absorb water or cause seals to swell over time like DOT fuid does, meaning longer life and fewer services. Why not use mineral fuid for all brakes? Well, DOT fuid has a higher boiling point, so a brake can run hotter for longer. The Radar wasn’t necessarily meant for racing, so maximum operating temperature wasn’t as much of a design concern as reliability. That said, it’ll defnitely stand up to aggressive riding with a larger rotor. We tested ours with 160-millimeter rotors, but sizing up to 180-mil would boost power and dissipate heat better.

While setup was as simple as can be, bedding in the stock metallic pads took some time. During this process, expect the Radars to squeal like crazy, but once properly burned-in the brakes will provide noise-free operation in normal conditions.

Hayes protects the Radar with a lifetime leak-proof guarantee, which shows the company’s commitment to offering a reliable product. Although we don’t have a ton of miles on them, all signs point to the Radar being a solid choice, no matter what the budget.

PRICE 95$ (per side, without rotor)

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