Hope Mini

Advantages: Stops well, works in mud, doesn't fade
Disadvantages: Can be a little trying to get fitted correctly, can be noisy at times

...165mm at the back. Hope have also chosen this brake to be the first to benefit from their new bubble rotor design, the disc itself being a strange lumpy shape instead of round, for no apparent reason. The brake is supplied assembled by the factory, so you don't need to worry about getting brake fluid everywhere, unless you need to shorten the hose. The brake comes with a hose designed for big monster downhill bikes, so my tiny XC bike need some ...
...earlier batches of the Mini, Hope were supplying a manual written for their other brakes with only a passing mention of the Mini, which was new for 2001. The newer batches (thankfully) come with a more complete manual, complete with photos and exploded diagrams which goes into more detail on the Mini. With the brake happily sitting on the front of my bike, time for a ride. At first, braking is a bit dodgy, and you wonder why you spent all this money ... Read review

Advantages: awesome...
Disadvantages: none at all...

...fact that they’re made by Hope Technology, an internationally renowned UK company the value is actually good as is the performance. Should anything go wrong, after sales service is excellent and the guys there are always more than willing to help and give advice. The only problems I’ve heard of with these brakes is the fitting of them if the disc mounts on the bike aren't perfectly straight, if this is the case then a local shop will be able to resolve ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent stopping power, good feedback, ouses quality
Disadvantages: None

I purchased the Hope mini brakes to replace the Giants own brand type that were on my XTC3 bike, these brakes were ok but the back brake had caused me no end of problems, so I looked on the net and after reading several reviews I decided to purchase the Hope Mini. I purchased the Hope mini's from my local bike shop for £110 a wheel and the kind gent fitted me them for that price as well. Like any type of brakes they will not be working at there ...
...the Hope mini's are self adjusting and I have found this to work excellent. I cannot recommend these brakes enough, they ouse quality, they also look fantastic as well. If you are in the market for a brake upgrade then buy the Hope Mini's you will not be dissapointed. ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent lever feel, stopping power, durability
Disadvantages: when they squeel, they REALLY squeel

...I've been mountain biking for many years now and over time I've tried a wide array of braking systems on my various bikes. I was always a huge fan of Avid's braking products and had test ridden a number of bikes with their Juicy discs on before deciding on the right bike for me and taking the plunge into speccing my own custom build. The bike was to be a Yeti 575 and the brake choice came down to the Hope Mono minis (as fitted to my Orange), Avid Juicys and the Shimano XT. I chose Shimano for various reasons and the following review will hopefully outline why I took this course of action over the much hyped Hope and Avids. Having tested various systems on demo bikes around the country, it seemed to me that there was little to choose between the braking characteristics of my shortlisted products. However, the Shimano just edged... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Ride quality; Build Quality; Customer Service of Company
Disadvantages: Can't ride it enough

.... A reasonably light material, with the benefits of a bit of flex. This provides a comfortable ride, negating 'trail buzz', and appeals to the purists who don\'t like the harsh stiffness of an aluminium frame, or the 'cheat' of a full-suspension bike. The design is compact, with a sloping top tube meaning you'll need a long seatpost. As this is a frame only you can spec up the bike exactly the way you want to (there are also some deals available through Cotic for things like forks and stems). I built mine up with a SRAM 9-Speed system (x.7 throughout, except the front mech which is Shimano XT); Hope Mono Mini disc brakes; wide Easton riser bars; and some great wheels built on DMR Revolver hubs with bombproof Mavic rims. The geometry of the frame as a whole is designed to put the rider slightly forward, putting more weight through the front wheel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: great stopping power
Disadvantages: none!

...I have had several Hope brakes in my time including the Enduro, DH4 and mini, can't say I've ever been disappointed by any of them; easy to set up, control and maintain (not that they need it very often). Nevertheless, the brake pads are obviously crucial to the stopping power too and its only right that in my opinion Hope who make the best brakes in the world also make pads which are amongst the best available too... I sincerely believe that given the option it would be a mistake to buy anything else as the power, longevity and relative value for money that these represent is excellent. The only problem I have had with these in the past is that a set glazed over a little which meant I lost a little performance. No problem there, just removes the pads, rough them up a little and push them back in. Very easy to replace and maintain... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful