HAYES + QUARTER HP: Constants to Evaluate Variables

Hayes x QuarterHP: A New Standard for Objective MTB Testing - When consistency becomes the control

In a world full of opinions, hype cycles, and ever-changing product narratives, true objectivity is rare. That is exactly what makes the launch of QuarterHP so compelling. QuarterHP is a new YouTube-based media platform featuring professional athlete Remi Gauvin, veteran MTB journalist Henry Quinney, produced by Romain Dompnier, and brought to life by filmmaker Tom Richards. It is a team with deep roots in riding, storytelling, and the technical side of the sport. But more importantly, it is a project built on a clear and ambitious idea: Test frames the right way.

HAYES + QUARTER HP: Constants to Evaluate Variables

One Variable. Everything Else Controlled.

QuarterHP’s approach is simple in theory, but incredibly difficult in execution. To truly understand how a frame rides, everything else must remain constant. That means eliminating variables wherever possible and building each test bike with the same trusted components, every time. As they put it: “By using controlled components, it allows QuarterHP to parse out the differences between bikes, and tell stories about some truly great ones.” This is where Hayes comes in.

Dominion as the Constant

QuarterHP has chosen Hayes Dominion brakes as their braking platform across all test bikes. Not just because they perform at the highest level, but because they do something even more important in this context: They perform the same. Every time. Consistency is often talked about, but rarely defined. In the case of Dominion, it means:

The same bite point, every actuation
The same lever feel, every descent
The same power delivery, regardless of conditions

That level of repeatability is critical when the goal is objective testing. When braking becomes predictable and invisible, it allows riders to focus entirely on what matters: The frame itself. In that sense, Dominion is not just a component. It is a true control variable.

Reliability Meets Replicability

Performance alone is not enough when building a platform for comparison. QuarterHP needed components that could withstand repeated testing, across different bikes, terrains, and conditions, without introducing variability. Dominion’s reputation for set-and-forget reliability makes it uniquely suited to that role. No constant adjustments. No shifting feel. No second guessing. Just consistent, dependable performance that enables clear, honest feedback.

A Shared Philosophy

For Hayes, this partnership goes beyond product placement. It is about alignment. “QuarterHP is approaching tech reviews in a novel new way that offers a different perspective for consumers,” says Joshua Riddle, Marketing Director at Hayes Bicycle Group. “Their commitment to objectivity, to stripping away noise and focusing on what truly matters, mirrors how we approach product development. At Hayes, we are not chasing trends. We are building components that deliver real, tangible performance and reliability, every single time.” “Dominion was designed to be consistent above all else. That makes it a natural fit for a platform like QuarterHP, where consistency is not just a benefit, it is a requirement. We are incredibly excited to support a project that is pushing for a unique approach to how products are evaluated.”

A Counterculture Approach

Both Hayes and QuarterHP are, in their own ways, taking a different path. QuarterHP is stepping away from traditional media formats to deliver deeper, more nuanced, and more objective storytelling. Hayes has long focused on engineering-first solutions, prioritizing reliability, consistency, and real-world performance over constant reinvention. Different approaches. Shared mindset. A belief that doing things the right way, even if it is not the loudest or fastest way, ultimately leads to something better.

Looking Ahead

QuarterHP is setting out to answer questions riders have been asking for years. What actually makes one frame different from another? How do bikes really compare when everything else is equal? By building a platform rooted in control, consistency, and credibility, they are giving those questions the attention they deserve. And we are proud that Hayes Dominion will be part of that foundation. Because when everything else changes, the best place to start is with something that doesn’t. Consistent. Reliable. Proven.