Pinkbike’s “Big Bad Brake Test” Shows Why the Hayes Dominion A4 Still Sets the Standard

Seven years after its release, the Hayes Dominion A4 continues to prove why it remains one of the most trusted braking systems in gravity riding. In a recent Pinkbike “Big Bad Brake Test”, the Dominion A4 was put head to head with some of the biggest names in mountain bike braking. The takeaway was clear: the Dominion still delivers exactly what riders want. Effortless power, exceptional lever feel, and confidence inspiring consistency. And when Pinkbike weighs in, the industry pays attention. As one of the most influential and respected voices in mountain bike media, Pinkbike’s product tests carry real authority across the sport, from everyday riders to World Cup teams. The review reinforces what riders have known since the Dominion’s debut in 2018. When Hayes returned to gravity racing with the Dominion platform, it was not simply a comeback. It set a new benchmark for how powerful, intuitive, and reliable a modern mountain bike brake could be.

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Pinkbike’s “Big Bad Brake Test” Shows Why the Hayes Dominion A4 Still Sets the Standard

A Legacy of Power, Reimagined

Pinkbike begins by revisiting Hayes’ roots. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the iconic Hayes Mag brakes were synonymous with downhill performance and trusted by gravity riders around the world. When Hayes reentered the gravity brake space with the Dominion A4, early skepticism quickly gave way to praise. Riders discovered a brake that combined modern engineering with the unmistakable Hayes DNA of control and stopping power. According to Pinkbike, that reputation has only strengthened over time.

Lever Feel That Surprises Everyone

One of the first things Pinkbike calls out is the extremely light lever action of the Dominion A4. Simply squeezing the lever immediately reveals how smoothly it moves inward. That ultra low friction lever feel is not just about comfort. It directly translates into reduced fatigue and better modulation on the trail. Lab testing backed this up as well. In Pinkbike’s lever force experiment, the Dominion recorded the lowest pull force to reach bite point in the entire test at 447 grams, ranking first overall. The result is a braking experience that feels intuitive and controlled, combining a light pull with fast engagement that stands apart from many other brakes.

Power Without Effort

While lever feel stands out immediately, the power delivery of the Dominion A4 is equally impressive. Pinkbike notes that once the pads contact the rotor, the brake builds power quickly and predictably. Achieving serious stopping force requires very little effort. In the review’s memorable “Honda Fit Stop Test,” designed to measure raw braking performance, the Dominion finished third overall, right behind two well known heavy hitters. What stood out most, however, was how easy that power is to access. Riders can deliver strong braking traction to the tires with minimal input, helping reduce arm fatigue and maintain control on long descents.

Reliability and Consistency: Dominion’s True Superpower

While power and lever feel get attention, Dominion’s real strength is something riders appreciate over time: consistency and reliability. The Dominion A4 is widely known as a true “set and forget” brake. Once installed and dialed in, it delivers the same predictable lever feel, bite point, and stopping performance ride after ride. Confidence inspiring above any other solution available on the market as its performance is predictable, consistent and replicable from top to bottom, every ride, ride after ride. There are no surprises, no constant adjustments, and no complicated maintenance routines. Instead, riders get reliable braking performance in every condition, from long alpine descents to bike park laps. This absolute reliability, combined with thoughtful engineering features like Crosshair caliper alignment and dual bleed ports, makes Dominion one of the most user friendly and dependable brake systems available today. In short, it is a brake designed for ease of ownership as much as peak performance.

Trusted by the Best in the World

Performance on a test bench is one thing. Performance at the highest level of the sport tells the full story. Today the Hayes Dominion is trusted by some of the most recognizable athletes in gravity riding, including riders from AON Racing and Atherton Racing, along with icons such as Rémy Métailler, Gee Atherton, and Clemens Kaudela. From World Championship downhill racing, to Red Bull Rampage, to Enduro World Series victories, Dominion brakes have proven themselves under the most demanding conditions imaginable. And that trust extends far beyond elite competition. From professional racers to riders just discovering the sport, everyone benefits from a brake that delivers power, reliability, and confidence every time they pull the lever.

Still Getting It Right

Perhaps the most telling takeaway from the Pinkbike review is simple. Seven years after its introduction, the Dominion A4 still ticks all the right boxes. In a market where brake designs constantly evolve, the Dominion continues to stand out for its balanced performance. It delivers power, modulation, reliability, and user friendly setup in one complete package. As Pinkbike’s test confirms, it remains a brake that surprises riders the moment they squeeze the lever and wins them over the moment they hit the trail. Read the article here

Hayes Dominion A4

Power. Control. Consistency.