[Closed] Hope Cranks

They are extortion

220 for a crank and spanner
80 quid for a BB
40-60 for1 ring

XT 99 quid jobdone from evans

Had the same dilemma before xmas

Can anyone justify anything other than SLX cranks?
Can be had for 60 quid, weigh same as xt/x9
Polished outside bits mean they wear better than most cranks and they are as stiff as you like
you've generally gotta spend at least another 100quid to get anything lighter, or in the case of hope for something heavier!

[b]Pros:[/b]
Look nice

[b]Cons:[/b]
Heavy
Expensive
Complicated

I'm going to stay on my SLX's until they disintegrate. Then probably buy the same again.

This thread isn't going the way the OP thought it would.

I wouldn't pay that kind of money either....Just to join in........ 😀

Pro - British
Con - everything else

Can anyone justify anything other than SLX cranks?

I would buy them if I didn't have race face sixC. They look good and are made by hope which is good enough for me.

If you're considering them get them, you'll be pleased with them I'm sure.
Although it's doubtful you'll notice any performance benefits over any run of the mill cranks,they are a real nice bit of kit.
They have a great install method making for a good solid feel.
I don't own a set but have installed a few and a close friend runs a set on his Switchback, he's a hefty chap but they've been rock solid.
I'd buy them, but then I'd buy nearly anything over Shimano.

If you can afford them and like them .. Buy them.
Yes they are expensive but quality British production , excellent Hope warranty and you don't see many about.
Regarding BB you would need a 30 mm ID which Hope produce.
It's your bike and your money.

They look very nicely made and well thought out but the combo of Shimano cranks and Hope BB just works so well for me - I recently switched a Hope bottom bracket to its third frame, still on the original bearings, done over 4000 off-road miles in all weathers. I'd have been tempted if I didn't already have a set of SLX cranks to use, I like supporting a British business that cares about making high quality, durable and serviceable products.

I was recently in the market for a 1x crankset and after considering the alternatives I ended up with a set. Similar to Middleburn x types but with more of an AM feel . They use a 30mm version of the normal 24mm hope bottom bracket. There is some thoughtful engineering in the design. I think they will be a good longterm bet.

If I was spending more than slx/xt sort of money on cranks, and I have been considering it, I would probably be looking at the raceface ones. Specifically I'd probably be looking at the next SL, at least then I'd feel I was getting less (weight) for my money.

Raceface in general seem to have similar issues with 30mm axle compatibility and expense but have more widely available direct mount chainrings, the same spider options and don't weigh a ton.

I really liked the look of the hope pre release too, I just can't see a reason to buy them beyond being pretty and 'buy british'.

Same as the brakes for me. They don't do the job any better in real terms than Shimano xt or slx but where as Shimano are white goods the Hope will be just lovely to own. If the price difference is worth it to you then go for it.

I have Shimano kit atm but would not hesitate to replace it with Hope if/when funds allow.

+1 can't see past XT+oval NW ring myself. Still lust after some sixCs though

They look good and are made by hope which is good enough for me.

And for many others, I've noticed.

I'll stick with SLX though - cranks are a consumable item IMO, being in harm's way like they are.

If Audi did cranks...

People would still be be shouting "Octavia... "

I don't even think they look nice

Made in britain is nice but it's no reason to buy something so expensive and unimpressive tbh. For every job there's a Shimano or a Raceface that costs less. But they know their target market...

They look lovely but are too expensive. I've already got a Bb from hope so its a shame their new cranks won fit.

As I was in the market for new cranks a few weeks before an Alp holiday, the availability of spares and French bike mechanic know how also put me off and I didn't really want to ride around with a specific hope tool clattering around in my bag.

They are a thing of beauty, but TBH they're not 3x as good as XT...which is where my money has gone and probably will continue to go if I want 1x11.

hey're not 3x as good as XT

But xt aren't 40quid better than SLX, so why buy them?

But xt aren't 40quid better than SLX, so why buy them?

slx don't come in 165mm so yes they are £40 better 😉

I think they're gopping, they look like scuffed budget raceface cranks. Not a chance in hell, a crank's a crank and shimano are so damn good at a low cost and good looks (plus they last forever) I'd never consider the Hopes.

But xt aren't 40quid better than SLX, so why buy them?

1x11

I have RF Next SL. Wife has Hope. The Hope look badass in s chunky 'Hope' way. If I didn't have the pimpy RF I'd have Hope too.
Better than SLX? Probably not but I can afford them so why the **** not?

According to the Mojo Geometron webpage the Hope 170mm cranks have the same clearance as 165 XTRs and they look nicer (I don't like the look of the last few generations of XTR cranks). So the 165mm cranks would give even better clearance.

PJM1974 - Member
But xt aren't 40quid better than SLX, so why buy them?
1x11

Assume that's a joke? 🙂

I was going to order a set, until I started looking at the additional cost of new BB, chain rings etc. I the end I opted for race face aefect, which were great value and a lovely set of cranks. Oh and run 24mm spindle so standard bb type!

zero cool - Member
According to the Mojo Geometron webpage the Hope 170mm cranks have the same clearance as 165 XTRs and they look nicer (I don't like the look of the last few generations of XTR cranks). So the 165mm cranks would give even better clearance.

The only place there's extra clearance is the tip of the crank arm. .. you rarely strike that, it's the 0edal that makes contact.

I reckon Raceface Aeffect are the bargain of the moment. Use a standard 24mm BB, and I just got a set including 32t direct mount ring from Alltricks for 115 Euro

The only place there's extra clearance is th ed tip of the crank arm. .. you rarely strike that, it's the 0edal that

The ends of my cranks tell a different story. I'm trying to wear them down to 170mm...

http://www.alltricks.com/mtb/cranksets-bb/cranks/race-face-crankset-aeffect-cinch-without-bb-direct-mount-narrow-wide-32-tooth-chainring-black-1049-258772.html

The ends of my cranks aren't black and smooth anymore. And if you don't whack them on things why sell crank boots for carbon cranks?

Tom KP

I crunch the end of my cranks far more often than the pedals. This is a good thing.

glasgowdan - Member
I think they're gopping, they look like scuffed budget raceface cranks.

That's just what I thought. THey look like a knackered set of those old Diabolous cranks.

The silver ones aren't too bad.

Middleburns look far better.

They look nice, probably last Ok and will have decent back up. There again, XT look nice, last Ok and have decent back up.
I want to want them but with all of the (not-included) bits you need to buy, it's a big bag of nope from me due to a large shortage of value.

i'd buy them if they were available in 140mm, for my 5foot wife*.

restricting themselves to exactly the same non-range as shimano seems a bit daft.

(*who's refusing to ride her new mtb till it has 140's just like her hybrid)

Recent review in WMB was not that great on them saying they are not particularly stiff and when combined with cost it makes them not a great option. Not sure how much weight I put into the review but the XT s on my bike are my oldest piece of kit and for the money are great, do run hope brakes though and never got on with shimano offerings. I am a bit behind as still on 1x10.

I generally like Hope products (for example, on my current bike I have Hope wheels (albeit with Stans rims), Hope stem, seat collar and pedals, and a Hope NW chainring). I also have Hope lights. I've been very happy with all of these, though of course I do accept there are some very good alternative options - no doubt better in some cases.

But I just can't get the logic behind buying these cranks. I want to like them - they look nice, and I'm sure they'll do a more than adequate job, but they are really expensive, would require a new and expensive BB (for me anyway), and don't seem to be lighter or have materially better performance than the competition. It'd end up being a cost of c£300 to get something that really isn't much, if at all, better. (A little extra ground clearance might be significant, I suppose.)

That said - if you like them, and have the money, there's no reason not to, after all, buying bits for our bikes is at least as much about pride of possession as it is about function and performance/value for money.

Summary - I really wanted to like these but just can't get my head round a scenario where I could actually see myself buying them.

The big negative for me aside from the cost is the lack of decent rings available. No oval direct mount rings and using the spider to get them to 104 seems to defeat the point.

I use the Hope 30mm BB with a Turbine Cinch I bought barely used off here for £50. Don't feel like I'm missing out.

They do look pretty pimp though.

longbeardranger +1.

Even more so when every couple of years I buy some new XT cranks for around £80, sell the new rings for £30, and sell my old arms for £30.
New XT arms every other year for around £20 is a complete no brainer.

Yes you need the 30mm hope BB to use these.

Stick em on and leave them there. They'll be looking a lot better in 2/3 years than most other cranks. The way they've been machined should stop the wear rub and that's the only bit that should see any wear. Bit fiddly to fit but once on you shouldn't have to touch them. Double thumbs up from me.

If you can afford them and want some get some. The world would be a boring place if we all had the same!

For the money, they need to last 6-9 years to make sense.

For the money, they need to last 6-9 years to make sense.

Don't get that
I expect my cranks to last forever (or at least my lifetime) even if its a Deore or cheaper. It has no moving parts, seals, bearings...what exactly is supposed to fail?

Here you go;
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=crank+failure+mtb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwib8-mM_rXKAhXMORQKHRAqCj8Q_AUIBygB&biw=1366&bih=697

Have you really only ever had one set of cranks?

Have you really only ever had one set of cranks?

You can find pictures of any bike part failing (because of defect or crash or whatever) - I just wouldn't expect 'not failing' to be a feature of a crank

That wasn't the point though was it? The question was; what could go wrong with a crankset? And, as it appears; plenty!

Anyhoo, I prefer the look of those Praxis Turn MTB cranks to the hopes. Better choice of chainrings and the BB's are cheaper too.

A bit of a high jack but the drivetrain on my wife's bike will need replacing soon and I was looking at the Hope's. Going single ring but because of her petit dimensions they will need to be able to accommodate at 26-28t ring and be 165mm in length.

I can't find much else that fits the bill. Shimano are a no go with no option for smaller rings. The Sram or Race Face options are only available in 170mm and are not far off the £162 I've seen the Hope's for. The Hope direct mount rings seem about the same price as the competition (the Sram and Race Face options come with a ring but not in the size I need so I'll have to buy another one anyway). I have no issue with buying the BB as I know they last.

Am I missing any obvious alternatives?

If Audi did cranks...

People would still be be shouting "Octavia... "

And they'd have a bloody good point. 😉

So to summarise -

Gopping
expensive
heavy
compatability issues...

anything else? 😀

Gopping
expensive
heavy
compatability issues...

anything else?

I've nothing to add to the OP, but can say that over the last year/maybe2, I have had to replace 2 sets of cranks. Both possibly down to my lack of maintenance.
My problem is that the crank develops a little bit of play when I have the pedals horizontal. On inspection I have some wear on the axle DS bb, bearing position. I suspect that this is enough to cause the play. Although I have tried to check BB fairly regularly, I was just regreasing the bearings if they felt they needed it (Hope ceramic). I've replaced the bearings since. First crank was XT, 2nd was XTR (2nd hand).

Compass81: You say your wife is 'petite', 165's may well be too long for her.

(I'd need 220mm cranks to experience how awful 165's must feel for a 5footer. Ie. Terrible)

You can buy 150mm 'thorn' cranks from sjs cycles, but they're square taper only...

Compass81: Isla bikes fit 140 and 152mm cranks on their kids 24" and 26" mountain bikes that come with a 28t single ring. You may be able to get them after market if you ask nicely. Not sure what chainring attachment or BB interface they use though, some form of cartridge rather than outboard.

I've nothing to add to the OP, but can say that over the last year/maybe2, I have had to replace 2 sets of cranks. Both possibly down to my lack of maintenance.
My problem is that the crank develops a little bit of play when I have the pedals horizontal. On inspection I have some wear on the axle DS bb, bearing position. I suspect that this is enough to cause the play. Although I have tried to check BB fairly regularly, I was just regreasing the bearings if they felt they needed it (Hope ceramic). I've replaced the bearings since. First crank was XT, 2nd was XTR (2nd hand).

Have you had the frame's bottom bracket faced?

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately square taper will not be compatible. She has made do with 175mm for along time as these were on her original bike. As were were looking at upgrading I thought I would take the opportunity to go for something shorter. She rides a 26" with standard 73mm threaded bb. I'll take a look at Isla bikes but may end up with the Hope's

I'd seriously consider having her existing cranks shortened: http://highpath.co.uk/crank-shortening/

InterestingI had no idea you could do that, but the original cranks are Hollowtech II so cant be shortened. The wont take the smaller chainring either without faffing about using the inner bolt circle, spacers and mucking about with the chainline.

Hope being who they are may be able to do you a set that you could either get shortened after market or do a pair as a special order. No harm in asking them!

Am I missing any obvious alternatives?

RF Atlas Cinch? Only 15g more than turbine so pretty competitive weight, and to be fair the nicest cranks looks wise that RF have. Obviously comes with all the same 30mm BB etc. of the Hopes, but certainly a fine choice for 165mm cranks.

Here you go;
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=crank+failure+mtb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwib8-mM_rXKAhXMORQKHRAqCj8Q_AUIBygB&biw=1366&bih=697

A fair number of those pictures are actually of failed Crank Brothers components such as pedals
Perhaps not that surprising 😆

woodster - Member

The big negative for me aside from the cost is the lack of decent rings available. No oval direct mount rings and using the spider to get them to 104 seems to defeat the point.

What rings do they take? It's never a Hope specific is it? I'd assumed they'd use RF or SRAM rings.

Yup, proprietary interface that needs a lockring. Another reason not to buy them. I was really excited when the were first talked about and now every new thing I learn about them leaves me more and more disappointed.

[img] [/img]

to answer the OPs question -

I have some & love them.
Never had quality cranks before these & the difference is amazing.
Yes I know I have to say that as I spent the £££ but it is true.

Would I buy them again - no.
I'd get RaceFace, simply because you have a better range of chainrings including oval rings from absoluteBlack.

Can anyone justify anything other than SLX cranks?

easily, slx cranks are the ugliest things in the known universe*

*there may be 'some' exaggeration .

You can use standard chainring with the 4 bolt spider so there is no shortage of choice. Yes they are expensive but I'd rather give my money to an English company where possible.

I will weigh my 34T spider less set up tomorrow and post FYI.

cyclelife - Member

You can use standard chainring with the 4 bolt spider so there is no shortage of choice.

Which makes them heavier than they need to be, and still restricts choice because of the minimum size with 104BCD.

Shackleton - Member

Hope being who they are may be able to do you a set that you could either get shortened after market or do a pair as a special order. No harm in asking them!

i asked (about 1 year ago), they said no.

(i can understand why, it's not exactly convenient to start hacking programs around to cut one/two operations out)

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately square taper will not be compatible. She has made do with 175mm for along time as these were on her original bike. As were were looking at upgrading I thought I would take the opportunity to go for something shorter. She rides a 26" with standard 73mm threaded bb. I'll take a look at Isla bikes but may end up with the Hope's

you get 73/113mm square taper BB that you would need for a thorn 150mm crank

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-un55-square-taper-bottom-bracket/rp-prod71369

SLX doesn't have steel pedal threads...

I've ruined 2 sets that way after pedal/rock strikes....

maybe unlucky, but i'm on Saint now, and looking at my crank ends on various bikes, im never going carbon!

I dont buy some cranks because they are ugly,my life is one long fashion show,and I buy every cycling gadget going so I can kid myself I would have got in the S.A.S. if it wasn't for these damned fallen arches.

Rotor do/did 160mm cranks in HT2 flavour.

You can also get TA in <165mm (Vega, Carmina)

Well, I got a crankset off the classifieds on here, a spiderless with a chainring. It was affordable given that if was new and unused, and I had a wedge burning a hole. They were, errm, fun to fit, but feel really solid and I think they look great. Not sure I'd pay full price though. Shame I can't ride the bike and see how they perform until my injuries have healed!

fitnessischeating - Member

SLX doesn't have steel pedal threads...

The original SLX double does, if that's any use