Goodridge Hope Closed 2

Advantages: Superior build quailty and maintence free
Disadvantages: Set up is time consuming

...I bought these brakes 6 months ago for my hard tail, I had looked at many other brakes like Hayes and Maguras but they didn't have the excellent quality and stopping power that the Hope M4's have. The brakes came pre-bled so it was just a case of bolting them on and aligning them. This can be a bit time consuming as the pads sit close to the rotor so they have to aligned well to stop any rubbing. Once everything is set up these brakes are virtually maintenance free, only have to replace the pads ever so often. The system stops any air leaks very well, I haven't had to re bleed them in the 6 months i have had them. Superb brakes that stop you in an instance and will not break however many times I crash and land on them.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat 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: 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