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The technical differences are quite obvious to anyone who can read, but I was wondering if anyone had experience of both and could compare them, or alternatively has one or the other, and if you find any limitations to the X2 or think the E4 is overkill (although I tend towards the 'can't be overbraked' school of thought)?
I have the x2 on my SS. At times I'm a bit under braked, but I'm a fat heffer. The E4 I tried on a friends bike was like throwing an anchor out of your camelbak. But in a good way.
It depends on your heft and the riding you do, but you won't be thinking I need more brake than the E4, unless your a DH monkey.
I'm not skinny either so that is helpful, thanks.
In our house, we have x2, m4 and v2 brakes all running with tech 2 evo levers. Each is noticeably more powerful than the last but also gives a softer lever feel (which makes sense when you consider the hydraulic advantage of each).
However, I've just got the new tech 3 e4 combo with Kevlar hose and 180/160 rotors. I'm not feeling any power loss compared to my v2/tech 2 evo/braided hose 203/183 set up but they come with the same lever feel as the m4/tech 2 evo we have. I'm very pleased with them.
For reference, I'm a heavy rider who likes my 6" full bouncy bike pointed downwards in the peak.
I'd say go with e4. Sure I read somewhere that they compare well with xt weight wise.
IIRC there was about a 30g difference from the Hope website.
EDIT Between the X2 and E4 that is, not sure vs XT.
I'd go e4. In fact, I did.
My Orange five came with X2, which were good at the time, but overheated a lot and faded on big descents. Changed them for E4. Huge difference. Much more initial bite and a lot more predictable and no noticable fade and no arm pump. Using the X2s on my hardtail now, much better than the avids they replaced...
Mulling over building up a steel frame 29er HT, with something like a 100mm fork, just for all day all round riding, nothing too extreme, that's what they would be for.
I have 2 bikes with e4's, 1 bike with m4's and one bike with x2's. The e4's are all on my bigger bikes and are amazing and I can't imagine a better brake. They have so much power and control. The x2's are on my xc anthem and on that they are very good. I wouldn't fancy them on anything other than an xc bike though as they don't have the power of the e4. But they are a lighter brake designed for more xc side so in that respect they are spot on. They still have the excellent modulation.
So in summary and to state the obvious the x2 is the perfect brake for xc and for harder riding get the e4.
But so far no reason not to get the E4 if 60g is no concern.
I can fart 60g.
I used to think I could 🙁