Reviews

Hayes Stroker Trail Brakes

25 days and 150 laps later...

Author: Chris Armstrong | Created: 2007-11-08 12:04:16 | Location: Whistler, BC

In the middle of the summer Hayes started to seed sets of there new all new brake platform called “the Stroker” out to media and we got our set right in the middle of Crankworx. Right off the bat they are a complete departure from classic Hayes looks. They look more like Magura Louise or the new Shimano XT brakes than Mag’s or El Camino’s. An integrated reservoir and bladder in the master cylinder is reported to be 33% better than the Mag’s and it is actuated by a new lever design with an aluminum adjuster dial.

My first issue with the Strokers is based around the lever. Even after half a season on them I haven’t been able to get use to the shape of it and it still feels alien in my fingers. It could be that I have been running Mag brakes for the last 6 years and like a good old pair of jeans, sometimes you just fall back on your old favourite. I have been told that Hayes is working on a DH specific version of the Stroker and it will have a slightly different lever design, which should hopefully be out in ’09. But by no means does that mean that these levers are weak, I would just prefer a larger, more robust version for my Neanderthal hands.

On the other hand the reach adjuster works absolutely perfect. The adjuster dial uses indexing ball & a spring to hold it into place after adjusted and frankly the adjustments are almost limitless. It can be moved to accommodate a wide range depending on what your preferences are and it stays firmly in place over the hardest, bumpiest trails that I threw at it.

At the other end of the brake hose the new caliper has a lot of similar attributes to previous models with the addition of the largest brake pads to date & an adjustable hose routing exit angle. The brake pads feature a new material that is said to last exceptional longer than previous models. All I can say is after over 25 days in the bike park on them I haven’t come close to wearing them out.

The Stroker will be available in three different configurations in 2008. the Stroker Ryde, entry level model without a dial adjuster, the Stroker Trail (as tested) and the Stroker Carbon. All have the same master cylinder design with the Ryde model having a caliper that was similar to previous models from Hayes. The Carbon model has a carbon lever

Opinion: As it stands these are the best brakes that Hayes has made to date. I have had no mechanical issues and they have worked flawlessly.

Hayes Stroker Brakes

Disk Sizes: 140, 160, 180, 203 & 244mm
Colours: Black, White
Plus: Durable, great articulation, little to no fade.
Minus: Lever not optimal for larger hands.
MSRP: TBA
Website: www.hayesdiscbrake.com/stroker/index.html
Rating: 5/5