Fibrax Hope 2-Piston

Advantages: Longlasting, made by a great British company
Disadvantages: Can be a tad fiddly to fit.

...I've had Hope brakes on my mountain bikes for longer than I care to remember, and I've currently got two full suspention bikes set up with Hope M4 brakes, I love the brakes, and have never had a problem with the Hope pads, so I've always stuck with them. I live and ride in South Wales, where it's wet, rocky and more gritty than muddy. I always stick to the sintered pads, and make sure I bed them in properly before I take them out on their first ride. In summer, when it's a little dryer, I've even got a loop I use to specifically bed my pads in (how sad am I?). But it's worth it, as when bedded in properly, the pads last for many, many months before they need changing. Which is good, as although changing the pads isn't difficult, I more often than not, find it a bit of a faff. The pads aren't cheap, coming in around the £12 mark... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Smooth, Well built, Lightweight
Disadvantages: Very loud when freewheeling, Difficulty fitting cassette

...of a Hope rear hub who gets annoyed by the loudness of it. Unlike many freehubs, it's also surprisingly easy to service, requiring no tools the freehub just pulls straight off, revealing the ratchet mechanism, which is incredibly simple and easy to service. Fitting the cassette (cogs, for the non-cyclists!) takes a bit of gentle persuasion, however, in the form of a rubber mallet. Removing the cassette is even more difficult. Could do better there, I'm afraid. In use, the hubs are a dream. Despite riding in mud, through rivers and general neglect of the bike, the hubs have stood up to it all admirably. Let's hear it for British Engineering! Since I wrote this opinion, I've noticed two things: 1) Shimano XT cassettes seem to fit no problem, unlike cheaper stuff that just gets stuck. 2) Having lost the springs from the freehub... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Super strong and light, sealed bearings means it will work forever
Disadvantages: 20mm axle means it wont work on all forks

...Another excellent product from the Hope range. The hub is perfect for all types of riding, its light enough for xc riders and also strong enough for the downhill riders. It runs on sealed cartridge bearings that are easily changeable, instructions can be found on the Hope website. The hub body is made of cnc'd aluminum so its light and still strong. It also has the standard 6-bolt disc mount so its compatible with all brake systems. The 20mm axle means it creates a very stiff wheel and front end of the bike that will take all abuse. It comes in all the standard hope colours so you can easily match it to you colour scheme. A superb hub well worth the money, it will last forever... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful