Hayes CX or Tektro Lyra?

[tiglon]

I took delivery of a new bike yesterday (ordered online). The description specified Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brakes, but has in fact come with Hayes CX. I've read that Tektro Lyra's aren't particularly good so it was one area I was expecting I might want to upgrade anyway, but the Hayes brakes really don't feel great - in terms of both stopping power and modulation. Maybe they just need bedding in a bit.

I've tried looking up Hayes CX, but I can only find CX Pro or CX Expert (which mine do not appear to be). So my questions is, have I:

a) Been ripped off and supplied brakes of a lower quality than specified
b) Got lucky and received better brakes than expected

or are the Hayes and Tektro brakes c) pretty much the same quality and it makes little difference?

[RickH]

I have SRAM brakes on my bike but I would imagine bedding in the brakes would be similar. Below are SRAM's instructions although I don't find I need to do as many repetitions when I change pads (possibly because I do them on a steep downhill). But it always surprises me how bad the braking on the first pull of the levers can be.

When pads and rotors are new, they have to be “bed in” before they reach their full braking potential. This is achieved by first accelerating the bike to a moderate speed and then firmly applying the brakes until you are at walking speed. Repeat this process 20 times. Then accelerate the bike to a faster speed and apply the brakes until you are at walking speed. Repeat this process ten times. It’s important that during this process you never come to a complete stop or lock up the wheels at any point. It’s important that during this process you never come to a complete stop or lock up the wheels at any point. The idea behind bedding in a brake is to evenly distribute pad material across the rotor to improve the coefficient of friction between the two components. Coming to a complete stop causes a build up of pad material in one spot that can lead to pulsing and noisy brakes.

[Cyckelgalen]

I don't think you've been ripped off. I have used only the Hayes, for years, and they are sturdy, well-built brakes, no complaints.
The pads are held in place by magnets, no need for retaining pins, etc. They need regular attention to adjust pad clearance, just as any single piston mechanical brake. You shouldn't be disappointed.

[tiglon]

Thanks for the replies, both very helpful. I have more confidence now and will try the SRAM bedding in procedure before my next ride.

Cheers guys.

[mattsccm]

Possibly Lyras have changed over the years I am qualifying my comments by saying that I bought mine in 2011.
Lethal! No worse than others in many ways though the fixed pad wasn't much cop. What could happen is that the went "over cam". If you brakes too hard all braking disappeared. Letting the brakes off brought them back but that was after a panic moment as very hard braking was usually essential at that moment. Can't remember if it was to do with cable set up or pads as I ditched them for Avid BB7s in 2012.
Seem to remember at least one club mate having the same issues. I think they were cheaper than the Avids at the time and looked less bulky.

[andrew_s]

What could happen is that the went "over cam". If you brakes too hard all braking disappeared.

I remember quite a rash of complaints about that at one point.
What had happened was that one bike manufacturer had been putting out bikes with Lyra calipers, but Shimano discs rather than Tektro. The Shimano discs were a little thinner than the Tektro, so the over cam happened with less pad wear.

[T-800]

I have Lyra on my Boardman CX and they are carp.
The last Hayes I had were hydraulic on a MTB about 17 years ago and they were heavy old units then.
I don’t think mechanical discs are much of an improvement on rim brakes anyway.

[Brucey]

IIRC they did a recall on the Lyra and issued a revised version which wouldn't go 'over cam' so easily.

FWIW Lyra's have been OK since, a BB5 knockoff more or less. Hayes CX are not wildly dissimilar but might be slightly better made. I certainly wouldn't spit the dummy if a bike turned up with Hayes CX rather than Tektro Lyra.

NB manufacturers often make 'OEM' and 'retail' versions of their brakes; often they are slightly different from one another, so either differ slightly from the published specifications, or don't appear in the retail catalogue at all.

BTW there are very many mechanical disc brake calipers on sale today which were designed some time ago and therefore are meant to use 'old' brake levers meant for first generation dual pivot brake calipers. If you use a set of current shimano STIs -New Super SLR type- (NSSLR) with such disc brake calipers, the whole setup will lack power. Hence many comments along the lines of 'brand x disc brake calipers are crap' and so forth. IME in many cases the brakes are just fine if they are used with decent cables, decent pads, and the right brake levers.

cheers

[PT1029]

As well as the sram bedding in instructions, ensure the wheels are in the drop outs fully (so discs centrally positioned), and that the calipers have been correctly positioned as per Hayes set up procedure.

I have seen disc brakes go "over cam", invariably due to worn pads and/or incorrectly position calipers/wheels.