Just debating some new brakes for the lads GT Fury... Mostly i guess because he's got Guides and as many of us know, they can suffer with piston issues (in the master) when hot, now i've swapped pistons before, but in honesty i can't be bothered...
So i'm debating throwing a set of lightly used Hope Tech3 E4s at it, purely because, hey, why the heck not. lol.
But i was wondering if Hope warranty on used brakes or if we need to be the first owners ?
I would like mostly 'fit and forget' type brakes which i think Hopes mostly tick the box of and with him being a bit smaller and less strong, they could tick the box in terms of reach and bite point etc.
Thoughts appreciated, ideas, indeed even options of "nah, buy these instead"..
Hope won't necessarily warranty them by default.
But by heck they will stand by products. We had an ancient set of Mini's that they posted out a new seal kit for, free, so that I could rebuild them. They've also sold me axle parts for an old hub at very reasonable cost.
Lots of stories of them being very helpful and supportive, full tech docs and parts available.
https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/parts/brakes/hope-tech-3-x2-disc-brake-standard-black__308290
These tick the boxes then if we go down the new route ?
£300 all in doesn't seem too terrible.
We're currently running 203s front and rear if that helps... a bit of a mismatch due to wheels, so a Uberbike floating, 2x center lock Shimano, the last is a generic ebay 203 non-floating... I assume you don't need to run floaters on Hopes just because they're available ?
I wouldn’t put x2s on a DH bike - especially as he’s getting bigger / faster etc. Would go E4 or V4 if Hope.
Does he like the Guides? If so, leave them alone until there is a problem?
Does he like the Guides? If so, leave them alone until there is a problem?
Yup, he likes... but we (and many others) have had issues with pistons in the master cylinders where the plastic piston swells in the heat (either sunshine or heavy braking) when it happens, it happens and you can't do a lot at the time.
Hopes will feel a lot different to the guides so he may or may not like them. Just be prepared to swap them back again 🙂
I dont like the feel of them myself but he might love them!
Hopes will feel a lot different to the guides so he may or may not like them. Just be prepared to swap them back again
WOuldn't be a massive issue as his are externally routed so quick so fit and swap. Hopes have a ceiling price they'll always sell for, so it's a no-brainer in that context.
Worst case, even though i'd have to internally route them on the back, i could fit to mine 😀
Merlin are selling the tech3 e4 for £148.75 each end and can get an extra £20 off with a code if you spend over £275 or £10 off if you spend over £150.
I have to log in to get that price. Are you near the Merlin shop?
nowhere near Merlin, but use them a fair bit and have gold status with them, i'll go check, thank you.
For £260 you can have dual pot Curas new, and they are an awesome brake - just get 2 of the below (they are flip flop, can be wither front or back, just cut hose to size)
Maybe less, as 2 separate orders under 135, you might not even be paying VAT
https://r2-bike.com/FORMULA-Disc-Brake-Cura-4-glossy-black-SPECIAL-OFFER
No problem, just log in and the price should show a 15% discount.
To add to the good service stories from Hope, they've long stood by their products - they did a perfect rebuild on a V-Twin (no longer made) of mine and a friend had some parts off them for a set of brakes he'd bought secondhand.
Hope are ace. Replaced the axel on an old Pro2 rear hub for free when well outside warranty and not the original owner.
I had a corroded calliper replaced by them when I was not the original owner. Sent the brakes in for a service with a question mark over the caliper body damage and it came back with a whole new part. Paid for the service but not the parts.
Emailed them to see if in stock, i'll have them at that price for sure.
Hope service is second to none. Sadly, if you’re going guides to hope he’ll cack himself and wonder why you took his brakes away.
I’m a fan of formula cura twinpots. Used to run hope v4’s on my heavy enduro and also my lightweight hardtail.
Switched to the cura twinpots on both bikes and they outperform the hopes in every area. Sure…twinpots on enduro not good enough? Well they stop me with far more confidence than the v4’s ever did. Stopping power, feel, simplicity, maintenance is streets ahead.
Personally I’d do as others say…stick with the guides till they break then if they do swap then.
Hope has the bling factor but for me, too much form over function. Plus i just took over 1kg off my enduro bike by dropping hope stuff. Looks good but heavy as fok!
interesting thoughts silas... One thing the lad isn't is shy at telling me something isn't how he likes it... If it's not right, he'll be the first to let me know.
I guess before jumping in we could get him to do a few runs on his mates Hope. He did have a SB160, but i think he's just bought the latest model which will have 4 pots i assume, so we could try them and see if he prefers.
I'm almost certainly wrong about this, but I thought it was only early Guides that had the sticky piston thing. If your Guides are relatively new they should be fine.
They came on a 2018/19 GT Fury. I don't know if that puts them inside or outside that window... but i'd be more than happy to be told they're outside of the window and will be golden 🙂
I would like mostly ‘fit and forget’ type brakes
Code R or Saints.
Sadly, if you’re going guides to hope he’ll cack himself and wonder why you took his brakes away.
/HeresyModeOn
My wife has Guides on her bike and I didn’t think they were any different to the Hope X2s I was running.
Others disagree with me I know, but I suspect setting the brake up carefully (calliper alignment type things) and choice of pads make more difference.
/HeresyModeOff
PS - I also like the several years between brake bleeds on Hope, and the fact I can still get bits for brakes 10 or more years old.
I've some new Hope X2 and E4 calipers(in purple) for sale on retrobike - £140 (just the calipers, plus caliper fittings,pads etc)
Ooooooor
I also have a new set of black Tech 3 V4's i was intending to put on the ebike. The front is made up(940mm I think) the rear is just the lever and caliper(plus lever/caliper fittings, pads etc) As the hose needs routing through the frame, i didnt connect it all up. But i could chuck in 2 1/2m of new Hope hose so you can custom size for Jr's bike
Tech3/V4 i think retails about 360, so how does 280 sound. That would inc posted 1st class recorded royal mail.
Thanks for the message, i'm going to get him to try the mates Hopes when we're back from Wales, i'll then revisit after that if that's OK..
i'm using X2/E4 on my bigger bike, and M4/M4 on my biggest, and they all work fantastically well at bringing my excessive weight to a halt.
Key (as always with hope) is set up. Once thats done, they just work.
Warranty is first owner, but, i've had second hand stuff sorted out either for free, or very cheaply before. And even ancient stuff that they don't make parts for anymore they've done their best (discounts on new kit on the very few occasions i've done it while working at a shop, or as a private customer.)
They came on a 2018/19 GT Fury. I don’t know if that puts them inside or outside that window…
I bought Guide Ultimates in 2019 which were apparently the “new” version. No idea when they actually fixed the issue but mine have been perfect so far.
I’d be getting hayes dominion A4 brakes if I was getting new ones. Currently running saints.
This proper made me laugh, this is awesome
How it feels to run Sram brakes
I’d be getting hayes dominion A4 brakes if I was getting new ones. Currently running saints.
This.
Hope V4 have a very heavy lever pull and lack power. I got arm pump when I used them which had never been an issue for me before. I'm a 90kg guy who's, hopefully, stronger than your, I'm assuming, juvenile son.
I've not tried Curas but everyone seems to love them and they're cheaper, so they could be a good option too. If they're good enough for Bruni to win world cups with they're probably decent..
I really wanted to like the Hopes and bought them thinking I'd never buy another set of brakes. I think I stuck with them for 6 months before admitting defeat. Dominions are amazing. Everything they promise to be.
I bought a set of Hope Tech M4s in 2011 for £133 after a PSA on here alerted me to the deal on Winstanley. They've been in use constantly since then with minimal maintenance - just a couple of bleeds. Always been happy with the stopping power also.
Crazy to think that 11 years later I could probably sell them second hand for more than I originally paid for them!
Assuming the guides aren't rsc’s then just by a 6 pack of pistons for £35, do both brakes and you’ll have spares. Its a dead easy fix, just done my levels which i cant get the 6 pack for… £32 for a bit of bloody plastic.
If youve not actually had an issue with those guides then chances are they are already the newer piston and your fine. Its a 10 minute job to check the piston as part of a bleed.
