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Average Rating
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4.32/5
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# of Reviews
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189
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MSRP
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$ 180.00
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Weight
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More Products from Hope
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Description:The Mini is a new open 2-piston brake, which at 380g (inc. lever, caliper, hose & disc) is our lightest system yet. Despite this lightweight, the brake will still give plenty of controllable power. The brake features a new design of lever, which is unique to this brake and also uses its own pads. The 74mm post mount (2000/1 Manitou) requires a special bracket and larger disc.
System type: Open
Lever type: Unique new lever
Caliper No.'s: 3 & 5
Standard Disc: 145, 165, & 185
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Submitted by
blah wtf?
a Weekend Warrior
from BC
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | lack of maintenance needed, good strong lever, just about everything else. | | Weaknesses: | umm, they are tight and rub just a little when you put brand new pads on. but this isnt that much of a problem, it just does not have a pad contact adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | few mechs, juicy's and 2 different xt models | | Bike Setup: | 35lb. AM/FR 6" setup. now hardtail DJ. | | Bottom Line: | i bought these without pads, and with the wrong rotor, but after picking up a decent set of ebc's and the correct rotor, these things work very well. the lever was/is very tight and they did drag very slightly at the beginning, but these things are real good. i wouldnt get rid of them for the world. i like the xt's for the fact that they use mineral oil and not dot 3/4, but these (even though the rotor is small) are very good. i have not been affected by the expanding pad problem, and they do not experience any heat related probelms. i replaced them with a avid J7 185 at the beginning of last year, because i really like the pad distance setting, but i kept these around and now they are going to see another life on a different bike. i had to look through to see if i had reviewed them, and with four years and no problems whatsoever, id say these might be the best bang for the buck, even if you get them used and rebuild them. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tony vazquez
a Weekend Warrior
from warwickshire, england
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | broadribbs, leamington spa | | Strengths: | good stopping power, i tend to go faster than my riding ability allows so these brakes have got me out of trouble a number of times. little maintenance, in fact had them fitted ovar 4 years, got through about 5 or 6 sets of pads and not had to bleed system once. easy to set up and require little adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | none, other than price,but have come down since i purchased mine though. | | Similar Products Used: | grimeca hydraulic, clarks cable..(don't bother), | | Bike Setup: | 180mm rotor front, 160mm rotor rear. was on gti drive when i upgraded it, now fitted to giant nrs, will up grade brakes if and when these give up. | | Bottom Line: | great stopping power,smooth action, even after all this time. riden in all conditions from dry and dusty, to rain, to deep mud and never let me down. easy pad change, easy to adjust calipers. fitted at the same time as 2 friends(we took all 3 bikes to the shop on the same day) out of 6 calipers, in 4 years, one started leaking about 6 months age,which is'nt bad. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PJM
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City UT
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | freind | | Strengths: | Picked these up from a freind who went xtr...180 front and 160 rear....They work great all the time, the pads are easy to replace. Lightweight and durable. Set-up easy.
Machining and finish work impeccable. These are the pre-mono minis with silver calipers and all-black square-reservoir levers. Great looking, working, and feeling... | | Weaknesses: | On occation (and usually when I needed them) the front
brake lever would go to the bar w/no effect....!! | | Similar Products Used: | Avid mechs/Others... | | Bike Setup: | Kona Dawg custom. xc setup.. | | Bottom Line: | At $200 for the used set, this was a good buy for sure....
Even with a taller rotor and larger pads, this
Hope disc brake is lightweight, with quality machine and finish work on all the parts. This particular pre-mini brake I think came with different levers/reservoir setups
during the two or three yrs. they were made. These have the super-ergo, all-black, two-finger lever with the rectangle-shaped reservoir and silver calipers. Some earlier levers have the circular-shaped reservoir.
The surpising lever-to-the-bar events are far and few between....once a yr. or so...If you can get ahold of a used pair of these....FOR SURE GET EM!!!!.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Birtles
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Endeavour Cycles Gymea | | Strengths: | They look good but I need something reliable without constant maintenance | | Weaknesses: | If my bike isn't ridden for some time the lever on one end (rear) of these brakes firms up causing the pads to rub eventually stopping the wheel from spinning all together. This has been happening since they were brand new. The shop where I purchased these brakes considering I purchased them on a custom $7000 Blur failed to look after me. Eventually they sent them to the Aussie importer who was just the worst it took him over 3 months to return them to my LBS and that was only after I called to tell him to pull his finger out something my LBS couldn't be bothered to do, having my bike for sitting in thier shop all this time. They also lost all the mounting hardware in the process and thought it was quite o.k. to use any old bolts they had hanging around the workshop.It goes to show that once they had thier sale they couldn't give a f**k any more & Hope U.K. should think about getting rid of thier Aussie dealer he just sucks beyond comment! Eventually I sent back to the manufactuer in the U.K. and they fixed the problem and returned them in just 1 week (now that's service)They were spot on in helping me. Now the other brake doing the same I'm going to give up on them and buy some mechanicals or V-brakes again can't be bothered with all the problems. | | Similar Products Used: | First & last experience with hydraulics, why is it they can make fool proof brakes for your car or motorbike but come to bicycles and there's still loads of issues? | | Bike Setup: | 03 Santa Cruz Blur with all the bling. Just because you pay top dollar for the bling factor it's just a wank! Keep it simple. | | Bottom Line: | Haven't I said it all. Buy it if you live in England & can have them serviced by someone who knows how too. Stay well clear if you live in Australia because service is pathetic. Endeavour cycles (LBS) has lost a customer too you can't treat people this way after they have spent so much money purchasing their dream bike. The 1 chilli goes to Hope U.K. for thier good help even though their product isn't great. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
al
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas tx
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | used ebay | | Strengths: | trick, simple, light, incredible modulation, set&forget | | Weaknesses: | parts a bit more $ and harder to get. Not a weekness, but these are not 1-finger nose wheelie brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | hayes mag, el camino, sole. | | Bike Setup: | Racer-x | | Bottom Line: | I like em!
I bought mine well used, cleaned them up, and they work awesome. They are not "stoppers", but "speed-adjusters", on my Racer-x. They have excellent, excellent modulation, very easy to scrub off just the speed you need to when entering a corner. they look cool, easy to work on, nothing comes loose - use lock-tight! the manual even says to.
They do NOT have uber-stopping power, as many reviewers have mentioned. Power can be increased by going to bigger rotors, I have 160/140, which is lowest power/highest modulation.
I have Hayes Mags on my commuter bike, 160/160, and they are uber-stoppers, which I consider necessary for emergency stops on the street. but much less feel.
parts are harder to find, but still available. Support is iffy, not as good as Hayes. Luckily this is a very good product, so support isn't too important.
Buy them used as a light, trick, reliable bake for your x-country machine. Avoid them for your 30+ lb am, fr, or dh machine.
5 stars in their application! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart Simpson
a Weekend Warrior
from Northamptonshire
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Good modulation, light, look great. | | Weaknesses: | Poor braking performance | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes HFX9, Hope Mono M4 | | Bike Setup: | Orange 5, Mono Minis(180/160), Talas 130, Swinger 4-way | | Bottom Line: | From the start, these brakes have been downright poor in terms of performance. Although modulation is very good, ultimate braking power has been poor, irrespective of type of pads used, and bleeding the brakes. They have resulted in a loss of confidence on descents, particularly in technical situations, where I have found myself on numerous occasions shouting expletives whilst crampily pulling the levers moments before having close encounters with trees. Not a good trait in a mountain bike brake. The Hayes Nine brakes on my other bike, have on the other hand been awesome, in that they actually stop the bike, but they are very "grabby" compared to the Mono Minis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
danny
a
from nottingham UK
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$99999999.00 | | Purchased At: | the pound shop | | Strengths: | Reliable, easy to clean, easy to service and bleed, easy to customize the hose to the correct length.
Replacments are not too expensive and are easy to get hold of in UK dunno bout newhere else. | | Weaknesses: | the alan key screw on the reservoir cap rounds off easy as it is so small. Same with the screws on the lever clamp, and the disc rotor! Rotor comes loose all the time. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano deore, Hope M4, Magura Julie all hydrolic. and cable deore. Out of these deffo Minis unless you want more power then the M4's. | | Bike Setup: | 24/7 crosser, mx comps, minis, fsa pig DH Pro headset, sun single track rims on DMR revolvers(strong as hell trust me), xt rear mech, sram x.9 rocket trigger shiftern thats ur lot. | | Bottom Line: | Buy them if you are into XC Street n dossin bout with as they are light reliable n powerfull, however if you want more power or take part in Competition DH then deffo M4's.
Make sure you have spare screws of all sizes that hope use, you will need them! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kenosha Pass, CO | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | You can tell these brakes are engineered well. Solid construction and simple look and design. I installed these never having done a disc installation before and took about 3 hours to get them just right. A lot of trial and error to get the alignment right. I tried them out last week and what a difference from the crappy hayes brakes that came with the bike. Hayes just can't handle the automotive brake fluid and tend to leak. Braking is effortless and the amount of "throw" on the levers is adjustable. These brakes are very powerful and I felt like I'd lock my front tire if I wasn't careful. I think that is because the Hayes sucked so bad.
On top of it all I got the the piston, rotor and lever all for $150. Can't beat that. | | Weaknesses: | The metal spring that the brake pads rest on is a little complicated and is a little hard to remove the pads and insert them. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes comp disc. | | Bike Setup: | '03 Blur, marzocchi bomber MX, Pushed FOX Float R | | Bottom Line: | Great engineering, small package, unbelivable performance at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Need I say more? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Davies
a Cross Country Rider
from U.K
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | 7 Staines | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Reliable and strong.
Plenty of feel with progressive bite point.
Well made, unlike the Mono's | | Weaknesses: | A tad heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Mechanical & Hydraulics from Shimano and Avid. Hydraulics from Magura and Hayes and most of the Hope range. | | Bike Setup: | Spec FSR, Marz Marathon S, XT, Mavic 317s and Hope XC Hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes.
3 years hard riding and no problems.
Replaced the pads a few times and replaced the DOT 5.1
Well made and the key is the discs. The new Hope range... "Mono"... have got a one piece caliper....and flimsy discs. These old Mini brakes have a 2 piece caliper and a good strong thick disc that will not warp and gets rid of heat fast. It will also take a good knocking without bending all over the place. I know which I prefer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Carroll
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire. England
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any of the 7 Stanes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good and reliable with plenty of power and feel.
Fairly light weight.
Strong discs. | | Weaknesses: | None. Maybe do not use Hope pads. | | Similar Products Used: | Hydraulic Magura, Avid, Hayes and Shimano Deore and XT. | | Bike Setup: | Spec FSR Marz Marathon S. XT bits and Easton/FSA mix. Mavic 317/Hope. | | Bottom Line: | After 4 years of hard grind these brakes are still so good.
185/165mm they need so little maintenance just replace the pads....I use Fibrax as they are better than Hope's current offerings. I changed the DOT 5.1 once and it looked like it didn't need it. Great brakes. I was thinking of maybe upgrading to Mono's but I know too many people that have had problems with them so I'm sticking with my sturdy and reliable Mini's. One of the best pieces of MTB equipment that I have ever purchased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jono
a Weekend Warrior
from U.K
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Glentress | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Still a great brake system I run 185/165.
Consistent and powerfull with superb modulation, very nice levers. Good well built disc rotors. Robust! | | Weaknesses: | Inconsistent Hope pads. I use Fibrax instead.
Can screech when very hot but they rarely get that hot.
| | Similar Products Used: | Haye, Magura, Avid AND...Hope Mono Mini (not impressed) Hope Mono M4 (still not imprassed) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Sugar 1, XT Hope hubs on X717, Easton and RaceFace bits, WTB Motoraptors. | | Bottom Line: | I don't usually do reviews but I've got a few bikes. I've got Hope Brakes and Hubs on all of them now, I've got Mono Minis on one and Mono M4s on another, and I'm not impressed at all with the new range and it has prompted me to just say how good these old Mini's are. I sort of reminds me how good the Mini system is. Robust Disc rotors that get rid of heat and debris. Consistent braking without having to work on the brakes all the time. Great braking system just change the pads to another maker. Hope have inconsistent pad performance like their new brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Styant
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$145.00 | | Strengths: | Price, performance is great | | Weaknesses: | The bolts. The Hope-supplied bolts and pins have a tendency to seize up. The brake pad retaining pin has completely seized up and I'm unable to change the pads. I contacted Hope for help and when they eventually replied, the fix didn't work. I now have a useless rear brake. Be aware and check bolts and pins regularly. | | Bike Setup: | The usual XC stuff | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes, but useless if you can't change the pads | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roy Felsham
a Cross Country Rider
from U.K
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Marin Trail Wales. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Consistent good function in dry or wet conditions.
Well designed and built.
Low maintenance item. Great lever feel and strong reliable brake power. Well made and strong construction.
| | Weaknesses: | A little heavy by contemporary standards.
Require carefull set-up. | | Similar Products Used: | Hydraulic products by Hayes, Magura and Formula. Cable pull from Avid and Shimano. | | Bike Setup: | Marin Rock Springs. Upgraded to XT. Hope 185 & 165mm brakes. | | Bottom Line: | A satisfactory brake product that has given me very good performance every time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from U.K
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Well designed and strong. Good power and control levels. Reliable and low maintenance even in the lousey British weather. | | Weaknesses: | Needs carefull setting up. Takes a few rides to bed-in and the same when you put new pads in. Shop around for pads, don't just use Hopes. | | Bottom Line: | Great brakes that have been really reliable for me. Well controlable power and enough of it to do almost anything. I have only changed the hydraulic fluid once. and the pads last a good time. Don't know why this model is no longer made. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from NoCal
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Consistent and good levels of brake power with excellent modulation. after set up it's use and forget. Proper Dot 5.1 brake fluid takes away any heat build. | | Weaknesses: | Must be set up carefully and you got to choose the right brake pads. Hope's own pads are not always the best choice. | | Bottom Line: | I've used these brakes front and back 185 and 165 rotors, for nearly 3 years. They are strongly constructed and well made. Apart from changing the brake pads I have had to do nothing to them not even change the brake fluid. Fantastic modulation allows even the novice rider to feather the brakes on the front over steep and rocky technical descents. I have tried the new Hope range of brakes but I decided to stick with these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Elliot
a Cross Country Rider
from N.Hampshire
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Works as well after more than 3 years as it did new. Low maintenance, good feel and plenty of power, reliable and strong discs which do not bend easy. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy compared to some of todays discs but nothing noticeable and worth the extra for a strong design. maybe a tad expensive. | | Bottom Line: | Just thought I'd throw this one in....more than 3 years of hard use and they work great.
Cannot say that about many Mountain Bike parts. Good feel, good power, nice and reliable both in the dry and rain, pads last a good time and I have only just bled them. Great brake system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Ireland
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Got the design right.
Got the weight right.
Got the power right.
Got the modulation right.
Goth the lever ergonomics right.
Got the reliability right. | | Weaknesses: | The time it can take to set up the system.
After a wet ride sometimes the pads drag a little.
Check that the replacemant pads are not made by Hope. Hope keeps changing it's supplier and the pad spec changes with it. | | Similar Products Used: | Mainly Hayes and Avid. | | Bike Setup: | Standard Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC Comp.
Hope hubs on Mavic rims...what else. | | Bottom Line: | I've this brake set up front and rear, 185F/165R.
Over 3 years and, like so many others, I'm still very satisfied. The amount of maintenance that I have conducted on these brakes is embarrasingly little and yet they still perform their duties as well as they did when new.
A caveat, watch that the replacement pads are good. I had to replace my Hope replacemant pads as they were poor performers. Fibrax did the job. It appears that Hope are continually changing their pad supplier and the specifications are definately inferior at the moment. It's unfortunate that Hope have replaced this set up with the Mono Mini, which I regard as considerably inferior in both performance and build design. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Schofield
a Cross Country Rider
from NoCal
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Great trustworthy brakes. The best feel of any brakes that I have ever used. Cheap to maintain with a good rate of pad wear. Robust. | | Weaknesses: | Need to replace the pads before they are totally gone or else when the new pads go in then they rub. | | Bottom Line: | Over 3 years of hard use!
This has got to be one of the best pieces of Mountain Bike equipment since Marzocchi came into the market with their forks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duck
a Cross Country Rider
from Alamo
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | stock with bike from now defunct LBS | | Strengths: | Easy to maintain, pads readily available at LBS or online. Brake fluid available in pint sizes for those of us who are Oh-so-sensitive to pad drag and overheating. Even so, I only "feel" the need about twice a season. Terrific modulation, can go way deeper into corners and be confident that they will slow us--the bike and me---down without locking and sliding...unless you want to abuse the trail. I would buy them again, except that they appear to need less maintainence than those of my friends who drive the big brand brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Pad drag when the pads are getting tired of serving master. Set up is a pain, needing shims and patience to reinstall repeatedly until centered. Yes, I've learned to tolerate a little drag while awaiting that perfect time when the pads are worn to a thin dime. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR rim brakes are very nearly as good but don't have the instant control the Minis deliver. | | Bike Setup: | Switchblade and all the light parts you would imagine | | Bottom Line: | I was thinking that I need new brakes, after all they're old, then I read the surprisingly less enthusiastic reviews of the other brakes I was avidly contemplating. I'll stick with the Hopes since they're installed, centered and need only new pads and fluid periodically. I'm getting a bit too spry to go faster than these allow me to fly. Cross country types would be very happy with these guys. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Keiron
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Very good design and reliable.
Low weight for the size and power.
Pads last well and discs are large enough to keep the system from pumping-up on long downhills.
DOT 5.1 Hydraulic fluid is dedicated brake fluid and far more efficient at disippating heat than mineral oil. | | Weaknesses: | The system must be carefully set up initially.
I sometimes have the pads brush on the discs from time to time but nothing to worry about. | | Bottom Line: | The Hope Mini system is a recommendable and time proven/reliable hydraulic braking system. I have only bled the system once because that is all that has been needed. Just be carefull to get good brake pad replacements and these brakes are excellent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Strengths: | weight power modulation look | | Weaknesses: | tough to get replacement pads - good thing the stock ones last so long | | Similar Products Used: | avic mech's, xt duals | | Bike Setup: | Heckler for XC | | Bottom Line: | Awesome product - very reliable. I have had these on 2 bikes in three years and haven't had to do a thing to them - no bleeding, adjusting nothing. They even still have the same brake pads on there. I ride 3+ times a week 6 mnths/yr.
You can't ask for a better product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wilf
a Weekend Warrior
from Upper state N.Y
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Consistently reliable.
Very good modulation.
Strong Rotor.
Good sized pad.
| | Weaknesses: | They must be set up right... from the start or they will drag. They are maybe a tad heavy compared to say the new Mono but much better braking. | | Similar Products Used: | Disc systems from Hayes, Formula, Avid, Shimano Deore and XT and Magura. Also the new Hope Mono Mini's and M4. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Rocky MTN Element Race with RaceFace/ Shimano XT and Hope hubs married to Mavic X317 rims. | | Bottom Line: | I have 185mm Front & 165mm Back.
I am still pleased with these brakes after over 3 years of hard use, for all of the positive reasons above. it is a real shame that they are not made anymore because IMHO they well out-perform the Mono Mini and I think thye give the Mono M4 a good run for it's money. I agree with a comment back there that these puch well above their weight. Worth every dime. If they still made them I would definately buy them again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | The next challenge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle1st.com | | Strengths: | Tried and tested product that is well engineered.
Light but powerful with the best modulation of any brake that I have used. Long lasting brake pads. Reliable. Effective in the same way wet or dry. | | Weaknesses: | Fiddly to set up and they can squeel when very hot. | | Similar Products Used: | M4 from Hope Mugura Gustav, Hayes HFX 9 XC , Formula B4 SL, Avid Ball Bearing Disc Brake,Shimano XT Disc Brake M765. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock A1 COMP ...etc .. | | Bottom Line: | Very good indeed brakes. Strong...as in well made...powerful with loads of modulation, great levers and lever feel, pads last a long time but the most important thing is that, power apart, they just give me the kind of confidence that makes me take enough risks to enjoy myself...and still stop dead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Fassbender
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable and good braking with very good modulation. Ergonomic levers.
Fairly light and reasonable pad wear.
Consistent wet weather performance. | | Weaknesses: | Requires careful set-up.
Can squeel when hot. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes/Formula/HopeM4/Shimano. | | Bike Setup: | Spec with the usual trimmings. | | Bottom Line: | A very good set of brakes.
I have 185mm Rotors up front with 165mm Rotors on the rear and I get very strong braking. Good and consistent modulation in the dry or wet give added value to these brakes.
I normally do not do reviews but I have a set of Mono Mini brakes on my H/tail :( and they have made me realise just how good the old Mono brakes that I am reviewing her are.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Dark Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from N.W.England
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gwdyr Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Well designed, well constructed, well tested, robust design, excellent modulation, extremely good levers and consistent. | | Weaknesses: | It is necessary to bleed the dot 5.1 fluid occasionally as it is hydrophilic and set up can take time and patience. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid. Shimano Deore & XT. Magura Julie & Gustav. Hayes. | | Bike Setup: | Marin Rift Zone, Marzocchi Marathon SL, LX/XT, Oval stem and bars, X-Lite post/WTB Rocket, Sh 959 pedals, Hope Hubs on Mavic X717 Disc rims, Sapim spokes. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent hydraulic disc brake which I have been using for 2 1/2 years with no particular trouble. Pad life is remarkably good and consistent. It is powerful enough to undertake Freeride duties as well as Crosscountry without getting flustered. Modulation is quite excellent. The Rotors, because of their shape and size, are a particularly good feature to this brake as they clean debris off of the pads whilst at the same time helping to keep the system cool. Most recommendable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JetFeet
a Racer
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa, UT | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperHo | | Strengths: | Pros:
-easy Ssetup
-quality machine work
-sold as a complete front or rear unit (unlike ’05 Shimano XT & XTR)
| | Weaknesses: | Cons:
-stock front hose way to long
-brake levers rattle (not shimmed)
-no hose attach/fastening hardware included
| | Similar Products Used: | '03 & '04 XT, Magura Marta SL, Avid Mechanical, Magura Louise FR (friends loaner bikes) | | Bike Setup: | '04 Kona Kula Delux Frame w/Chris King Headset, '04 Fox F80RLT Fork, EA70 Handlbars, Thomson Stem, Thomson Seatpost, Ti Flite Seat, Race Face Duce Cranks, SP-99 Chain, XTR Ti Cassette, SRAM X.0 Shifters and R-Derailleur, XTR Front Derailleur, XT/Mavic717 DskBrk Wheelset, Hutchinson Python AirLight Tires & Hope Mini Disk Brakes | | Bottom Line: | I recently built up a Kona hardtail for the '05 racing season. This is the first year that I am going with a disk setup on my bike. I've ridden bikes with disk breaks, but have little personal experience with them. I will have a more comprehensive review on the ’04 Hope Mini in mid race season. Until then, ride dirt hard and often.
Cheers!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jenson
a Weekend Warrior
from Al. Canada
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle | | Strengths: | Well made and well designed so they do the job like they should do. Pretty light and plenty of controlable power. Can go a long distance downhill before they get hot enough to fade, but even then the fade is little. Nice levers. Great rotors that are strong, big and because of the shape they clear mud and debris away. | | Weaknesses: | Take a bit of fiddling to get them set up right and keep the pistons clean to stop any lazy piston behaviour. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes. Magura. Avid | | Bike Setup: | Tomac Special Pro/ Marzocchi Marathon SL/ Sram/ Middleburn/ Hope hubs on Mavic X717 disc rims. | | Bottom Line: | Get these brakes set up properly and let them bed in for a ride or 2 and you have yourself one of the best set of x-country/freeride anchors around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob the Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from U.K
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dalbeatie | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | Very confidence-inspiring brake system, superb modulation and lever feel! Good strong and consistent power regardless of the terrain and no apparent loss of power when they get hot. Very good pad life and the general build of the calipers is spot on. The rotors are big enough to cool well and provide plenty of strong stopping power. | | Weaknesses: | Can tend to squeel sometimes and when the pads are worn down they can sometimes get piston drag. But with a fluid change and pad change they are again excellent. | | Bottom Line: | Spot on set of first class brakes, strong, reliable with top lever feel and plenty of power. Great rotors that cool well and clean themselves. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred Bigalow
a Weekend Warrior
from Forest of Dean
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | www.cycle1st.com | | Strengths: | Very well designed and reliable.
Light and excellent modulation.
Very good pad life. | | Weaknesses: | Sometimes skreech when they get very hot on long descents and occassional pad rub. | | Similar Products Used: | Magura. Hayes. Formula and recently tried Hope mono mini..(Doh) | | Bike Setup: | Marin East Peak with xt, Marzocchi MX Pro forks, Easton bits, Mavic X317 rims on Hope hubs, Shimano 520 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | After over 2 years of really hard use these Mini brakes are still first class. They give excellent modulation and very good and consistent power, remarkably good pad life and little overheating on long descents. I'm impressed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flange Mungus
a Weekend Warrior
from U.K
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Marin trail. Gwydyr Forest. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | < |
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