I’ve only tried the Short Finger Lever (SFL) in a parking lot, but my hunch is that it’s going to best suit folks with, well, small fingers who want a thinner lever blade to have to wrap around and a shorter reach at both the starting position of the lever and at the bite point. I personally care quite a bit about getting the bite point in close to the bar, but am fine pulling through a comparatively long free stroke to get there, since my larger hands can reach plenty far out. The physically shorter SFL makes for a shorter free stroke (though theoretically a corresponding decrease in power, due to the reduction in leverage) and feels like it will help folks who want a shorter reach to the starting point of the lever, not just where it lands at the bite point. The free stroke of the Dominion A4s with the standard lever blade is definitely on the longer side, and the SFL reigns that in somewhat.
Whichever lever blade you opt for, the Dominion A4s feature a symmetric lever assembly that can be run on either side of the bar without swapping hoses around and conveniently are compatible with the older (pre-Bleeding Edge, or the Bleeding Edge version with a second threaded hose fitting) style of SRAM (and Formula) bleed kits, for folks who have those kicking around. The pad shape is proprietary but quite large (which is nice for heat dissipation and wear) and there are some aftermarket pad options available, including the excellent Galfer Pros used for this roundup, in addition to Hayes’ own offerings.
The Dominion A4 has a couple of extra clever features with an eye toward ease of maintenance — most notably the “Crosshair” screws on the mounting tabs. In short, they’re just a pair of set screws that press on the caliper mounting bolts, and make it super easy to fine-tune the caliper alignment. Simply push the caliper inward with one hand while adjusting the two screws in or out in conjunction to dial in the alignment, then tighten down the mounting screws and hit the trail. It’s slick and works quite well.
The caliper also features two bleed ports, one on each bank of pistons, to make it easier to eke every last air bubble out of the system. Of course, you don’t have to use both, and in plenty of cases a normal bleed with one syringe at the lever and the other at one of the caliper bleed ports will be adequate, but you can repeat the procedure on the other caliper port — or even circulate fluid with a syringe on each of the two caliper ports if need be. Put that one in the category of “can’t hurt, might help.”
I’ve been riding the same set of Dominion A4s on… I’m not even sure how many different bikes at this point, over the course of three full seasons, and they’ve been completely reliable, with consistent bite point and no need for service beyond replacing brake pads and the occasional bleed (more often due to the annoyances of internal brake routing and swapping bikes than the brakes themselves). I’m a very big fan. If I’ve got any gripes, it’s that the cosmetic fit-and-finish could be better (though there is now an all-black version for folks who aren’t into the original bronze) and that’s made absolutely no difference whatsoever from a performance standpoint. They’ve been around for a while now, but they’re still one of the best brakes on the market.
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Brake pads are one of the most important parts of your car. They work by creating friction while pressing against the brake rotors to slow down your vehicle. All brake pads wear over time, so to ensure your safety on the road it’s best to replace them before they become so bad they stop working to slow your car properly. Dealerships may try to charge you a lot of money to replace them, but there are less expensive alternatives you can buy online and replace yourself with a few tools and some well-researched know-how. Here are the best brake pads available online — prices may vary depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle
$50.57 at Amazon
Key Features
These ACDelco Gold Semi-Metallic brake pads are integrally molded with friction material on the backing plate for extra bond integrity. The stamped backing plate makes it easier to move the pad within the caliber assembly and reduces noise, brake vibrations and wear. These brake pads are backed by General Motors but are suitable for vehicles from other manufacturers as well.
$74.49 at Amazon
Key Features
The Power Stop Front Extreme Performance Carbon-Ceramic Brake Pads are great for muscle cars. They have a thermal scorched pad surface for a fast break-in period and chamfered slots to limit brake noise. The upgraded powder coat backing plate resists corrosion and rust. These brake pads also come with brake grease and a stainless steel hardware kit.
$59.00 at Tire Rack
Key Features
Brembo brake pads can be found on many high-performance vehicles, but they can be suitable for regular vehicles as well. Each brake pad is thermally-scorched in order to lessen fading. The Multilayer ESE (Elastomer - Steel - Elastomer) red shim dampens noise and vibrations. The backing plate provides additional brake noise reduction while acting as a heat shield to reduce heat transfer to the calipers.
$31.63 at Amazon
Key Features
These Wagner Brake pads are formulated to suit the unique requirements of each vehicle application. They feature a zero-copper friction formula that will provide high performance throughout the life of the pad. This product includes OE style lubricant and stainless-steel hardware.
$27.41 at Amazon
Key Features
Bosch uses an advanced ceramic friction formula featuring the same aluminum-based alloy used in aerospace engineering. The rubber core shims increase stopping power, decrease noise and resist corrosion. The protective transfer layer increases durability while prolonging the longevity of the pads and rotors.
$114.74 at Amazon
Key Features
These Hawk Performance brake pads are made with a ferro-carbon formula. They are built with a high-performance street brake compound that increases stopping power and has a higher resistance to brake fading. They are virtually noise-free and are gentle on the brake rotors. They offer high friction in hot and cold conditions.
How often should brake pads be replaced?
According to Bridgestone Tire, brake pads can last 30,000 to 35,000 miles from city driving. They may last up to 80,000 miles or more from mostly highway driving. If you take your car to the track, they may need to be replaced often.
Are ceramic brake pads better than semi-metallic?
Ceramic brakes last longer than semi-metallic brakes on average. Ceramics are also better at limiting noise and require less maintenance.
Ceramic vs carbon-ceramic brakes
Carbon-ceramic brake pads are the best brake pads for track use. They offer the most friction, stopping power and have the shortest braking distance. Ceramic brakes are best for daily driving. They can perform well at low temperatures while carbon ceramics may struggle. Ceramic brakes are pretty quiet while carbon ceramic brakes tend to squeak often when slowing down.
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