New brakes for mtb - Hope?

[ben_h100]

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade the brakes on my mtb from SRAM DB5s - they are okay but I always feel that I could do with more stopping power (plus I'd like to add a bit of bling to the bike!).

I've being looking at the Hope Tech 3 E4 brakes with floating disks - pricey but apparently well regarded and well put together.

Any opinions?

[Jimbo.]

Unless you've a need for that much brake, then it's a lot to spend/haul around. Dare I say, total overkill.

As for Hope, yes they're very good. Parts support is second to none. That said I always err towards Shimano, as much like all Shimano stuff, It.Just.Works. Set of SLX or XT brakes and you're covered for the vast majority of riding you're ever likely to do.

Edited by Jimbo. on Friday 12th August 22:11

[AndrewEH1]

Hope are good, very blingy.

I used to run them on all my bikes, now I run Shimano Saints and XTRs. I feel they are so much better, easy to bleed too!

I'd get some XTs or SLXs - both good quality for not a whole lot of cash.

Edited by AndrewEH1 on Friday 12th August 22:17

[castex]

Shimano is dependable; engineered.

[Mr Gearchange]

Hope aftermarket is very good - but it had to be as they aren't terribly reliable.

I've tried all manner - the best by far have been Shimano Saints

[Woody]

Shimano SLX can be had for a decent price - and work really well.

[Craikeybaby]

As above, I like Hope stuff, but go for Shimano brakes.

[daddy cool]

Another vote for Shimano SLX. Replaced the rubbish Avids on my old Full Sus with them, and when the Guide R's on my new one go, that too will have SLX's.

[neenaw]

I used to swear by Hope brakes, used X2's on both my MTB's and a set of V Twins on my CX bike for ages and thought they were great.

When I built up my hardtail I thought I'd try some Shimano brakes for a change and got a set of the new XTR's. The XTR's are better in almost every respect to the extent that I swapped teh brakes on my other MTB for the XTR's as well.
I don't think I'd go back to anything other than Shimano now.
I initially thought that they lacked a bit of stopping power but found that changing from some lightweight KCNC rotors to some Shimano Ice Tech ones made a huge difference.
Our Paramedic bikes at work weigh in at about 65kg when fully kitted out and they run Deore brakes with absolutely no issues. They don't lack any stopping power on these bikes at all.

Edited by neenaw on Monday 15th August 13:21

[syko89]

Shimano deore, SLX and XT are good brakes for the money.

I do prefer the feel of hope though, much more modulation where Shimano always feels a bit grabby. I run Tech 3 E4's and I'm very happy. Prefer having a proper reservoir to bleed also.

[anonymous-user]

I've just gone from SLX to Hope Tech 3 V4, incredible stopping power, but so they should be for more than 3 times the price.

As stated above, SLX or XT will cover 95% of riders, I needed the V4's as I'm 6ft 6" and 21 stone and single pot brakes just don't stop me.

Shimano here - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-slx-m67...

[Herman Toothrot]

Question is are they worth double a set of Zees?

I will add shimano 4 pots are not entirely fit and forget, they need frequent fluid changes to keep solid lever feel although that is piss easy with the bleed cup. Zee / Saint for me I have Zees on two bikes, XT and SLX on two others. Had Hope in the past. If not riding very step stuff where loads of modulations needed the SLX or XT, to be honest I can't tell any difference XT to SLX. Zee have shed loads more power and modulation most importantly. I'd like to say Hope as they used to be the dogs danglies, think they got caught not moving the game on and now shimano has supassed them.

[Mr Gearchange]

Zee's probably represent the best VFM. You see loads of them on DH bikes and you get 90% of the performance of Saints for about 60% of the price.

[anonymous-user]

Herman Toothrot said:

Question is are they worth double a set of Zees?

Almost certainly no, but they do match all the other Hope bits on my bike.

In fact, the Hope's were only about £100 dearer for the pair compared to Saints.