The new 4 piston Downhill brake by Hope Technology is the most revolutionary braking system ever made. The DH4 uses a totally open system that provides drag free, self adjusting performance. This brake provides more power than any other brake out there, yet offers superior modulation.
Weaknesses: The best got better... Need to bleed after heavy riding
Bottom Line:
If you're using these discs and are having trouble bleeding them, get the bleed kit off hope as it's a lot better (although pretty expensive).
Also if you want to improve performance (less pump up & less bleeding to do) then switch to DOT 5.1, I did this summer in Morzine and noticed my brakes worked a lot better than last year with DOT 4.
Submitted by
Rich Steels
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002
Strengths: They are British, they are manufactureed to excelent standards. They stop you with one finger!!! And have stopped being made as single crown fork users were using them only to find that they are so powerful they bent the forks!!!
Weaknesses: Non!!! Just only for Downhill bikes and forks.
Bottom Line:
These disks rule....Period, There isn't a brake out there yet that can stop a 50lb Downhill bike as fast as these and offer as much feel and confidence. I used to live 200yards from the Hope factory over here in the UK. I had a BIG crash one day, totally recked my Big'un hub and damaged the pipe leading into the caliper. I went to see Hope to buy some parts to fix the damage as everything was out of waranty apart from my DH4. Hope wouldn't sell me anything!!, they replaced everything free of charge. How good is that for customer service. Steve Peat was furious to know that GT wouldn't let him run Hope last year. This year he's on Hope, Say no more. British at it's best, brin it on.....
Strengths: Craftmanship, performance, weight, ease to use
Weaknesses: Oil changes and bleeding the system. This is a tedious process and to do it well takes two people if you do it as the manual describes. I'm open to suggestions for a better way.
Bottom Line:
I painstakenly debated spending the money on these brakes. No one in my area uses Hope so I had to go by what I read in this forum. Thanks. I must say these brakes perform like nothing I've used so far. One finger is all you need for all the breaking power you can handle. Keep your hands on the bars, not the brakes on those hammering descents. For those of you out there considering what to buy next look no further. I know it's painful but just drop the cash, you wont regret it. Are these brakes British? No wonder my bike wants to stop at every durn tea plant on the trail and sniff around. Happpy trails!
Similar Products Used: Avid mechanical disc. I've ridden others but have not owned them.
Bike Setup: Haro Werks DHR, Stratos S7, Hadley, rhyno's
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mojombo
a Weekend Warrior
from La Verne, CA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002
Bottom Line:
Before I bought these somewhat pricey brakes I did some research. Look at the reviews on this site, what do you see? The Hope disc brakes are the ONLY ones to get consistently good reviews. And for good reason. These things are godlike in their power. With V-Brakes you get wet noodle braking. With Hope Disc you get the manly testosterone braking you deserve. Ever wanted to do stoppies or find a need to actually stop on that mindbending downhill before you eat it at 40mph into a fallen tree? I put the DH4 on my front wheel and the open 2 on my back wheel (what am I, Mr. Money Bags?). These things will squeak a little bit at first but after a couple weeks of solid riding they'll whisper. Besides, the squeak tells everyone below you to GET OUT OF THE WAY OR BE MAULED! I used to tap on the brakes to give a heads up to hikers that otherwise would be oblivious of my approach. But alas! no more squeaking. Simply put, if you're going to buy disc brakes, don't wuss out and get some mechanical or crappy Hayes hydraulic. Get the real thing. Get the Hope. 5 flaming poops all around for the most outstanding piece of gear on my bike.
Strengths: They r hope. the look trick. r trick. perform trick. and stop fat blokes on a dime. when i meen fat i mean nutty professor fat. GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE 2.
Weaknesses: let me think. let me think sum more. THINKIN. still THINKIN. nope. no weaknesses my fellow mountain bikers. ONLY POSITIVES.
Bottom Line:
I am one who takes great notice in fine detail.stats etc. i only expect the finest. These r the finest. power. well were do i start. lets put it this way. they r so good that they could not only stop 1, but both of the planes from crashing in 2 the trade centres. contumplate that for a hour or 2. so its safe 2 assume that they will stop a mere mortal and his/her 50lb bike on a very steep, fast section of downhill. they are relly that good. go out and by these 2 put on ur mantale piece, such is the beauty and function of these. wat was that sayin. bueaty before function, now u can have both. by the way theY r relly controlable 2. hope make me sick. no one does it better. respect to the lanc's boys. keep up the good work.
Weaknesses: Differcult to find a fork to fit it to
Bottom Line:
In 1994/5 Hope made a double front disc brake system prototype. I WANT THIS! All those in favour e-mail this spot, or even better e-mail Hope and tell them!
Strengths: unmatchable power looks fantastic its british makes all other disc brake manufacturers look WANK
Weaknesses: £120 still aint pocket change
Bottom Line:
there is nothing else on this planet that can really make it for power and looks. i dont care how much they cost in the US and canada, they shouldnt be so gay with prices to Britain for everything else 5/5 makes ya proud to be british
Submitted by
Chris Herron
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2001
Strengths: Awesome power and modulation. Great control when hitting dry dusty trails at speed. Can feel when the wheel is going to lock up. Strong levers, calipers and disks. All parts for levers and calipers can be ordered separately, very good when need repairing.
Weaknesses: Gold pads squeal like hell. Will be grabbing the new red pads as soon as they are avail. in Oz.
Bottom Line:
If you can spare the cash, these puppies are greatest in disk technology. Killer looks and with the power and modulation to match.
Similar Products Used: Hope sports, pros and hayes.
Bike Setup: Giant AC1, 2000 Bombers CR, XTR driveline with Blackspire chain device, Hope hubs laced to Mavic 521's, Hope Enduros with 185mm rotors f/r, Azonic bars and stem, lock ons and 636's.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
don
a
from Newbury Park California USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001
Strengths: Reliable, good modulation, low maintenance, excellent one finger stopping power, Works excellent in water, mud, normal, cold conditions
Weaknesses: Bleeding any disc brakes can be a pain fluid is toxic Putting the disc / hub / skewers onto bike takes patience Oil on the pads or rotor reduces braking Can burn you if you touch them after a long down hill run.
Bottom Line:
Had them for two years with over 1500 miles on them. Still on the original pads. Squelled for the first 50 miles. I do absolutely no maintence (except H20 hose them off)on them and they are perfect. Excellent one finger modulation & stopping in any condition. Customer support is excellent. Best product I purchased in recent years. It is not light weight but it will definitely stop you !
Bike Setup: Animal 5 inches rear front ZR-QR20 130mm xtr atacs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Malvern,Worcs,U.K.
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2001
Strengths: Enduro4 165mm front Power,Control,Customer service
Weaknesses: None now, O.K. maybe a little less weight (ti bolts?)
Bottom Line:
I originally had problems with pad fade, hope sent me sintered pads (free)and I then managed to warp 3 disks in a row over a period of 3 months (I ride like a total loon,like 30mph stoppies and am heavy), hope have now fixed this problem with the 165mm disk and pads with a new design (free again)and the brakes are now preforming at their outstanding best.
If you want a high performance disk brake buy enduro4's
5 chili's for the brake,I'll forgive the problems as hopes' fast customer service mean't I didn't miss a single ride
Similar Products Used: Hayes, Avid, Sram, Hope Mini, Magura Gustav and Clara
Bike Setup: Intese Uzzi Dh Jr.T RaceFace/XT
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jordan Harris
a Downhiller
from Victoria,BC,Canada
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Strengths: Everything The most power I have ever felt in a Disc. A hell of a lot better than Hayes. Its like a block of Alunnium no casting crap here like most other discs. The best modulation I have ever felt
Weaknesses: It squeeks a bit but who cares because its the best disc in the world
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that these are the best breaks out there. Don't buy hayes there good but not as good as these puppies. And these are not for u X-Country kids. Freeriders and Downhillers only. The caliper weights more than my hole Hayes MX-1 Rotor and Caliper.
