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I haven't bought brakes since 2007, they were Hope Mono Minis. They are still on my rigid MTB. A few years back I changed the seals and noticed some corrosion on the seal groove so I'm thinking that at some point they will start to weep. They work fine, but I also noticed that pads weren't stocked in a few places so I'm wondering how long I should keep them for.
What's at a good price point these days?
What brakes d'you want? 2 pot XC 4 pot mega stoppers? easy to live with? mineral, DOT, reach adjust? bite point adjust? None of all that, just basic bolt on and go?
At the risk of the “avalanche” of naysayers…. There are some keenly priced Shimano around, I’ve always been impressed with Shimano brakes as even the cheap 200 and 400 series produce a predictable braking effort. I’m currently running some 6100 two pot Deore on my fatbike and Hope on my hardtail. I really like the Shimano, the only advantage of the Hope items is the spares availability (oh and the blingy colours). Have a look at the range here at the importers and support a local bike shop! www.freewheel.co.uk
My bikes have cheap Shimano non-series brakes. They work well, and don’t break the bank. I had Minis before, anything new will be a step up. While newish.
I’ve ridden a lot of modern Hope brakes though, on work bikes, and the V4 are the nuts, and more likely to last as long as your Minis with some TLC and spares availability.
Buy one of the new Hopes, then wait a few months and buy the other. Spread out it will feel a lot less of an outlay.