HAYES DOMINION A2 £179.99 (PER BRAKE)
Want to ride faster? Then you’re going to need better brakes.
But better doesn’t simply mean more powerful – you also need enhanced control. And because braking starts at your fingertips, Hayes designed the Dominion lever to have the shortest possible bite-point, which in turn reduces the time it takes to apply the brakes.
The Dominion lever also has a low actuation pressure and reduced lever friction, making the lever effortless to pull, further enhancing brake modulation and reducing arm pump. Hayes calls this Lofi – low input, high fidelity. Not convinced? Try pulling your current brake levers 200 times in a row and you’ll feel your forearms light up – most of which is due to resistance in the lever or an overly strong return spring.
With the reduction in dead lever travel you can also run your brake levers closer to the handlebar, safe in the knowledge that they won’t bottom out on the grips, or worse, your knuckles. There’s also an SFL (small finger lever) option that’s designed for riders with smaller hands.
Hayes pairs the same Dominion lever with a twin (A2) or four piston (A4) caliper, so you can tailor the power to your riding style or weight – or even mix and match calipers.
All Dominion calipers feature the Crosshair Alignment System where small grub screws next to the mounting bolts make it easier to line-up the caliper with the rotor and eliminate pad rub. The calipers also have rotating banjos for better alignment of the brake hose, regardless of the frame’s cable routing.
Rotors come in standard sizes, where the D-series design is purported to reduce noise and vibration, something that any wet weather rider will no doubt appreciate. Rotors are sold separately though, so if you’re keen to make the switch to the Hayes Dominion you’re going to need to factor in another £38.69 for a 180mm rotor or £42.99 for a 203mm option.