PSA Hayes dominion ...
 

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PSA Hayes dominion A4 brakes £95

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At chainreaction when using promo code SAVE


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 9:07 am
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I'm only seeing A2's. A4's out of stock.


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 9:25 am
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https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/hayes-dominion-a4-disc-brake/rp-prod214730

Bargain price, just be aware that they don't come with the usual spare pads and the olive is already fitted to the hose.


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 9:32 am
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Cheers bornonaboat, god knows how bc missed that one, both front and rear in stock.


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 9:53 am
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Can only get them down to 107 . applied code . Have they gone up ?? Still a bargain .


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 9:54 am
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Still £94.99 when I do it. Based in the UK.


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 10:02 am
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@blastit the deal using the code save is saving you £25 off orders above £100 meaning to get them for £95 simply order the brakes individually ie 2 separate orders


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 10:27 am
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Bargain price, just be aware that they don’t come with the usual spare pads and the olive is already fitted to the hose.

IIRC the retail ones came assembled, with spare olive, spare nut, semi-sintered pads installed, spare sintered pads, pad spacer, and combined bleed block / piston exercise tool.


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 12:30 pm
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Can you cut the olive out and reuse? Or already compressed?

Will a generic olive and barb work?


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 1:46 pm
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Where do these fall in the 4 pot hierarchy?

I’ve currently got the choice of Code Rs or SLX.


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 3:29 pm
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I’ve heard these are really good brakes
I’m tempted to buy and swap out for my Saints


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 3:38 pm
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Thanks bigbud that works but I've ordered at 107 I suppose I could send back


 
Posted : 18/03/2023 7:27 pm
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Where do these fall in the 4 pot hierarchy?

They are Trickstuff Direttissima and Hope Tech4 V4 territory. Above all SRAM, Shimano, Formula, Magura, and TRP.


 
Posted : 19/03/2023 1:13 am
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I just ordered...... 118€ and end delivered to Croatia with the 'SAVE' code.

Had to order separately for the code to work on each brake....


 
Posted : 19/03/2023 9:08 am
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They are Trickstuff Direttissima and Hope Tech4 V4 territory. Above all SRAM, Shimano, Formula, Magura, and TRP.

I haven't tried Formula or Magura but have owned all the rest, plus Hope tech3 V4, and agree Hayes are another level.


 
Posted : 19/03/2023 9:28 am
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I have these on my hard tail and have to agree that they are really good especially at this price. Super powerful and with good modulation/feeling.


 
Posted : 19/03/2023 9:39 am
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OP, that's an awesome spor there. Been wanting a set of these for a good while. £95 each end is a steal.

Ordered!!


 
Posted : 19/03/2023 9:54 am
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Ordered on Sunday evening, arrived today.

The rear brake line is 1800mm long and connected to the caliper and plugged at the lever end. The lever assembly is supplied loose.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 12:37 pm
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@doomanic - that means an olive is not needed?


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 12:58 pm
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These are easily my favourite brakes, been running them for awhile now and they're faultless....
BUT, trying to source spare parts is almost impossible, hotlines the importer is no use and will try to sell you lifeline hose kits which are a smaller bore than the original and not recommened by Hayes, I actually managed to get Hayes europe to send me an original hose kit but if I need another it maybe a struggle.
Also, trying to find spare olives and inserts (these use the newer 2 piece ones) is virtually impossible. the ebay sourced 1 piece ones are too small a diameter and will leak.

Saying all that though, I have just ordered 2 new rear sets (the levers arent front/rear specific) for spares as I can't see me running any other brake now....


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 3:24 pm
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Could be wrong but don't TRP have the same bore size.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 4:55 pm
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So mine arrived very nice but you need 5.5mm olive to fit as they stand which is not included. The rear is supplied front fully assembled ,rear has the lever loose and plugged. They have a insert in the end of rear brake . So you need to remove plug on lever to get hose screw thing off and a 5.5mm olive to fit.
Hoses are pretty long so I need to trim down a bit. The olives that are fitted to the hose end are a olive insert in one so I've ordered some of eBay and will update when they arrive on whether they fit.
I did try some sram fittings but the olives are too small and so are they inserts.
Hayes olive


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 5:35 pm
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I ordered the eBay olives, but haven't checked to see if there is an olive in the lever.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 6:01 pm
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If it needs a different olive to the eBay ones I'll be getting on the phone to CRC. The web page mentions non-retail packaging but doesn't say anything is missing to make the brakes work.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 6:06 pm
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I've been running Hayes on 2 bikes for a couple of years now. utterly fabulous.

Couple of things from experience

1) Pretty much fit a forget, bleeding is simple and I've only had to do it when disconnecting caliper or lever. The 2 port thing in the caliper is very satisfying for a 'complete bleed' confidence.

2) Hayes sintered pads are better than organic. However Galfer green, with 2mm wave discs, take things into a whole other stratosphere.

3) re. olives/barbs are indeed different to Shimano/sram - Hayes Olive these work

4) Also, cables are different thickness so the brake hose compression nut from other systems is too narrow. Or, as I found that can be easier, a Shimano cable/banjo works just fine with the Hayes banjo bolt and Hayes lever end fixings.

  • Shimano (BH90) + Avid + Formula + Sram:
    • ID: 2.1mm , OD: 5mm
  • Shimano (BH59) + Magura MT:
    • ID: 2.3mm , OD: 5mm
  • Tektro/Hayes/Promax:
    • ID: 2.5mm, OD: 5.4-5.5mm

 
Posted : 21/03/2023 6:19 pm
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I was always under the impression Hayes were the lower quality option for brakes after the usual suspects but this thread has me almost buying some. I don't need them so I am holding back but I also noticed that Rachel Atherton is using Hayes as well now so they can't be bad at all.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 6:59 pm
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Not just Rachel but all the team as well as Devinci, Orange, Lewis Buchanan and Brendog, to name but a few.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 7:15 pm
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Not just Rachel but all the team as well as Devinci, Orange, Lewis Buchanan and Brendog, to name but a few.

Wish I had researched these before I bought my 2nd set of Hopes now.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 7:20 pm
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About the hose outer diameter being 5.5mm, I found it didn't fit into the clamp on my 2021 Pike. Had to cable tie it to the clamp. North Shore Billet do an alternative clamp but it's expensive.

Might be an issue for internal routing on some frames too.

these use the newer 2 piece ones) is virtually impossible. the ebay sourced 1 piece ones are too small a diameter and will leak.

I have these ELVEDES ELV-HY02 as spares: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184867257143

Aside from being 1 piece, they're exactly the same as the spares that came in the box, on all dimensions I can imagine taking with my digital calipers.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 10:21 pm
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Those are the ones I bought, but I can't see there not being an olive in the master cylinder.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 10:24 pm
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Possibly a silly question, but I assume I can't use the Sram hose that's currently on the bike? Saves feeding a new hose through.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 10:28 pm
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Possibly a silly question, but I assume I can’t use the Sram hose that’s currently on the bike? Saves feeding a new hose through.

The only issue may at the banjo end. As mentioned Shimano banjo was fine (but note I used ‘virgin’ hoses, so no mineral/dot mixing), but not sure about the SRAM one.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 10:38 pm
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Ref not fitting into hose clamp, might be worth running a 5.5mm drill to open it up a bit.
If you use a sram hose will the fittings be OK when going onto caliper and lever ??


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 10:54 pm
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Those that need olives does anyone know if a tektro olive will work? I see above it's listed as the same hose size. I have a stack of those and inserts from when I had a set of giant contact brakes that I'd happily post to people.


 
Posted : 21/03/2023 11:25 pm
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Doing a quick google, it certainly doesn’t look the same, so it’s no from me.


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 7:55 am
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👍 I didn't get that far last night just noted the size. Yes looks quite different.


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 8:01 am
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It's a no to tektro olives. Hope can be used at a push in my experience.


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 8:17 am
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Thanks for the PSA, just ordered a pair. These went up to £130 now so at £105 each end with the £25 off. Still a really good deal.

I have a pair of Codes which I'm struggling with consistency. They seem to give me a different level of power every time I use them. I cleaned/lubed the pistons, full fluid flush and bleed. That improved things but although I like the power, they are still not as consistent as the Shimano on my other bike.

Reading up the reviews, the Dominion A4 should be a big improvement. Can't wait to try them out.

One thing I am struggling with is shifter / dropper lever matchmakers. Hayes only do a RH one for shifter. Seems like the only way to get it is to import from Germany / US which make the cost a little ridiculous at around £40. I've got some old matchmakers from a set of Avid which don't look very different so will give them a go. The internet says Magura matchmakers works so I'm hoping the Avid ones work as well.


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 12:19 pm
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I've got the Hayes matchmakers and only use one on the left side for my dropper, I've found I need to run the brakes a bit closer to the grips than the codes/hope/shimano I've used in the past, the Hayes matchmaker then puts the shifter too close to my thumb when riding. (all personal preferance obviously)
I settled on using a sram discreet clamp for my shifter, I'd prefer it all to be on the same clamp but have been running it like that for a awhile now and cant really say it bothers me.

The other thing with the Hayes matchmakers is they come in a gloss finish (I guess to match the original A4 brakes) but the lever is a matt finish, so may be an issue if asthetics are your thing, the gloss finish also chips off very easily!

Oh and a few other things, the 2 sets or dominions I've got, both had rattly pads, I fixed this by bending the pad spring clips out a bit more and putting a tiny amount of copper grease on the edges of the pad backing plates (obviously be very careful not to get any on the pad material/rotors)

Also, sram 20mm adaptors dont work with the dominion calipers, unless you take a file to them, magura and hope do though..

And lastly, they're designed to work with thicker rotors than the usual sram/shimano stuff, I use Sram HS2 rotors and they work really well, they did work with the older style srams but the lever throw is a bit more.


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 12:52 pm
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Also, sram 20mm adaptors dont work with the dominion calipers, unless you take a file to them, magura and hope do though..

ah, thats a good point, forgot about that, yep, migura adaptors here


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 1:03 pm
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Thanks for that. I have the Sram +40mm adaptor so that should in theory give enough clearance, worst case have no problem getting the dremel out as long as I don't need to take too much material away. I'm also going to start with using the bar clamps for the shifter and dropper lever. Good reminder that proper lever position is more important than it looking neat.

I also got myself some Galfer Wave 2mm rotors on the way as I hate excess lever throw. This is getting expensive. Well, a lot less expensive than when I was looking at Hopes.


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 5:21 pm
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First run out with mine and they are very nice indeed. Olives from ebay fit OK but as mentioned the brake adaptor needs more clearance so I had to swap with another bike. I picked up some magura 2mm rotors a couple of weeks ago so those will do the job .


 
Posted : 22/03/2023 8:52 pm
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Just recieved mine, the rears I ordered both came with olives and barbs, the olive is in the lever already and the hose just has a black insert in the barb that needs pulling out then you just need to pull out the red stopper in the lever and insert hose until it stops and tighten the nut, if you dont need to cut the hose you shouldnt need to bleed them.
(the last set I fitted didnt need bleeding even when I cut the hose)
If you cut the hose getting the barb out might be a pain though...........


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 11:39 am
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Yea mine arrived on Tuesday. Just waiting for a bleed kit to come then I'll get them fitted. I'll see how they do on my used Magura rotors before I go looking at some 2mm options. They do look like a thing of beauty.


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 12:00 pm
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Using a lighter on the cut off bit of hose to soften it helps the barb come out easy btw.


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 2:55 pm
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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?


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 4:05 pm
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Answered my own question, there are old (one piece olive/barb) and new(two pieces) versions. Looks all very normal, tbh


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 4:21 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 5:40 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 6:53 pm
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@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....


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 8:29 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 8:42 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 10:46 pm
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Seems nsmb like them too

https://nsmb.com/articles/hayes-dominion-a4-brakes-three-years-lat


 
Posted : 23/03/2023 10:49 pm
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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


 
Posted : 24/03/2023 11:13 am
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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.


 
Posted : 24/03/2023 9:55 pm
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Genuine semi-metallics are doing great for me

£9.99 on CRC...


 
Posted : 24/03/2023 10:16 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 25/03/2023 9:16 am
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What are the A2s like?


 
Posted : 25/03/2023 11:41 am
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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.


 
Posted : 25/03/2023 1:53 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 25/03/2023 3:06 pm
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Having held the pads for both there is a big difference in braking surface area which may explain the relative power.


 
Posted : 25/03/2023 4:18 pm
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Next stupid question - what do people do for aftermarket pads?


 
Posted : 26/03/2023 12:57 pm
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Uberbike.


 
Posted : 26/03/2023 3:00 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 26/03/2023 7:06 pm
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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?


 
Posted : 28/03/2023 6:53 pm
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That NSMB review is terrible. Testing 4 pots on a rigid single speed is like testing triple crown suspension forks on a road bike.


 
Posted : 28/03/2023 11:16 pm
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I did wonder


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 7:41 am
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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.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 8:30 am
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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.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 11:11 am
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Tempted to get these and sell my hope tech e4s! Anyone ridden both?


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 11:19 am
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@nicholas_yiu

CRC also honoured the new price by sending me £40 of vouchers when I asked.

How did you do that? Email? Chat? Phone?


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 11:41 am
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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.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 12:25 pm
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Order one at a time and use the code to get £25 off each order.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 12:29 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 12:33 pm
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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!)


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 12:48 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 2:44 pm
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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).


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 2:47 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 2:52 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 29/03/2023 6:11 pm
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