Mountain Biking - some questions about the hayes hfx9 hds

i have an opportunity to get a new pair of hayes hfx9 hds for just over $200usd (shipping included). i did a bit of searching on the hayes and marzocchi sites for info on compatibility i.e., the hfx9 hds going with the '03 exr currently on my bike. and they don't really recommend using these brakes with the fork i currently have. i can't really afford getting a new fork just yet though, and i really need to get some good hyrdro brakes and get rid of the crappy hayes mechs i got.

so my questions are:
firstly, are these brakes worth it? or would i be better off looking for a pair of hfx mags?

secondly, would putting the 8" rotors on the exr cause like catostrophic equipment failure? or would i be able to ride on them for sometime - at least until i'm able to spend the money on a better fork (probably a used '03 z1 fr or something like that)?

thirdly, the brakes come with the 8" brake mounts, but if i don't put on the 8" rotors, would i need different adaptors to fit these calipers with the 6" rotors currently on my bike?

any advice would be appreciated. thanks :D.

Don't run the 8in on the front. 6in is fine...I have done it without any death.

Depends on where you are ordering from and if they are ligit...you might have to buy the adaptors...

I have the Hayes 8" HFX DH hydraulic disc brakes (front & rear) on my '04 HARO. So if you want to listen to me it's your choice..... (Seems everyone on here wants 2 jump on my @ss everytime I post something) I have the "Zocchi" EXR Pro fork on mine as well. Don't choose the 6" in front for sure. If anything run the 6" in the rear.... You should be fine with 8" on both ends. I'm not sure what my "Pro" version of the EXR means over yours, but probably just a year newer....

As for your 3rd question, yes you'll have to buy different adaptors to use the 6" instead of the 8" disc's you already have.... Why would you want to go 6" when you already have the top of the line in stopping power (8")?

Have a peek!

Later....

(Seems everyone on here wants 2 jump on my @ss everytime I post something)

Its not the opinion itself. Its how you portray yourself. Signifigant difference.

The reason you don't want to run 8 is because of the standard dropouts. The force created by 8in rotor on a standard dropout has been known to cause damage. But yeah I do agree it can be done. I do it on my jrT with a standard dropout on my dh bike.

Its not the opinion itself. Its how you portray yourself. Signifigant difference.


Like me or not, I am who I am.... Sorry if you choose not to like me nor my posts.... That's your prob, Bud. I only post honest remarks, and opinions. I'm sorry if they offend ANYONE.

Its not that they are offensive. Its that you try to insult. And really if I took anything you said seriously I would have blocked you a long time ago like I have others. I find your ever changing personalities (especially now that I know how old you really are) comical...thats why I continue to read ;))

I think they (Dr.'s) have a medicine for people like me.... :o

I just refuse 2 ask 4 help.

Like I said before, I mean no harm nor insult to anyone on here. I suppose the truth hurts sometimes....

Ride on ;)

I have the Hayes 8" HFX DH hydraulic disc brakes (front & rear) on my '04 HARO. So if you want to listen to me it's your choice..... (Seems everyone on here wants 2 jump on my @ss everytime I post something) I have the "Zocchi" EXR Pro fork on mine as well. Don't choose the 6" in front for sure. If anything run the 6" in the rear.... You should be fine with 8" on both ends. I'm not sure what my "Pro" version of the EXR means over yours, but probably just a year newer....

As for your 3rd question, yes you'll have to buy different adaptors to use the 6" instead of the 8" disc's you already have.... Why would you want to go 6" when you already have the top of the line in stopping power (8")?

Have a peek!

Later....


Did you have 6's in back to begin with. If so did you notice a difference switching to 8's?

I just recently switched to 8 in the front. Definate improvement.

Did you have 6's in back to begin with. If so did you notice a difference switching to 8's?

Yes, I had 8" in front & 6" in rear....
Well, as I switched to the 8" rotors, I also switched to the hydraulics. So to be honest w/ U, I can't say. I have nothing bad to say about the MX-1's that came on my bike though. They work very well. I know alot of others on here down them, but I have both & would recommend either to anyone wanting to switch to disc's. I only changed mine because I already had the HFX-9's. If they tear-up, I'll definitely used my '04 MX-1's....

One note about hydraulic brakes that I can vouch for, if you wear a hole in, or cut the lines, you are in deep sh#t. Luckily I was able to avoid a complete wipeout by using only my front brake on a fast downhill run last year.... :eek:

thanks for the info, everyone.

yes you'll have to buy different adaptors to use the 6" instead of the 8" disc's you already have.... Why would you want to go 6" when you already have the top of the line in stopping power (8")?
x, i think you misunderstood my post. i currently have a set of hayes mechs on my bike w/6” rotors. so i already have the 6” rotors installed on the bike... i have the opportunity to get a set of hayes hfx9 hds for pretty cheap. that’s why i was asking if i’d need to get adaptors for the 6s if installing the 8s was inadvisable.

Yes, you will need new adapters.

Anyone use aftermarket levers on their Hayes. I've got a set of Razor Rock Racing levers on my Champagne Hayes and would love to get a set for my new ones. I'm thinking about a set of DangerBoys, but haven't heard any reviews from people I trust.

I just wish I could find parts for my Razor Rocks.

L8R

I wish those racor rocks were still made. I keep meaning to get the dangerboys but other things keep coming up that I need more.

Hey Mael,

Do any of the shops in your area (or any source you may know of) have the small parts for R3?

I want to rebuild my older Hayes, but keep putting it off because I want to rebuild the levers as well.

L8R

I can ask around. I know some do keep small parts in abundance. If I can find anything I will let you know.

I wish those racor rocks were still made. I keep meaning to get the dangerboys but other things keep coming up that I need more.

Like: http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/equip/BigHit8TravelUpgradeKit_d.jpg ?

or a new stem!

L8R

Yes, I had 8" in front & 6" in rear....
Well, as I switched to the 8" rotors, I also switched to the hydraulics. So to be honest w/ U, I can't say. I have nothing bad to say about the MX-1's that came on my bike though. They work very well. I know alot of others on here down them, but I have both & would recommend either to anyone wanting to switch to disc's. I only changed mine because I already had the HFX-9's. If they tear-up, I'll definitely used my '04 MX-1's....

One note about hydraulic brakes that I can vouch for, if you wear a hole in, or cut the lines, you are in deep sh#t. Luckily I was able to avoid a complete wipeout by using only my front brake on a fast downhill run last year.... :eek:


Yeah I have HFX-9's front and back. And i'm considering installing an 8" rotor in the back. Already got the on in the front. I've never tried Mech brakes. Went right front V-Brakes to hydros.

i still haven't decided on whether or not i'm gonna get the hfx9s. i've read quite a few bad reviews on them (i'm probably going to end up getting them anyway, though)... i was searching on ebay for some other alternatives as well as ridemonkey for some additional info and i came across these:

asylum replacement brake levers: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58082&item=3687525686&rd=1

and for a2, on ridemonkey, i noticed one guy selling his hayes w/razor rocks... thought you would be interested: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90144&highlight=hayes+hfx (check incubus' signature)

My LBS just became a DANGERBOY dealer, they're going to hook me up with a set of SHORTY's for me.

Retail is $65 for the pair, they said they'd do a little better AND install them for me.

L8R

hi everyone, i ended up ordering the hfx9 hds. so far they're good and i haven't experienced any of the problems i've read about on many of the reviews.

i do have one question though... the 8" adaptor that came with the brakes doesn't fit on my fork. well... it does, but it's too thick and if i put it on i can't put the wheel back on because the adaptor ends up hitting the rotor. luckily, i already had 6" adaptors (they came with the hayes mechs that were stock on the bike). so i've been running 6s for now.

i xtreme biker mentioned above that he has marz exr on his haro. so this question's for you: which adaptor did you use to fit the 8" rotors on there? is there a specific 8" adaptor hayes has for forks with standard drop outs or did you have to rig it somehow to make it fit?