Hope M4/Mini

[mcgrath]

My brakes finally arrived today. I ordered them from Universal Cycles where I thought I was getting a good Price. Normally I would order from Jensons but they didn't have what I wanted in stock and would have taken a week to get them. Universal, however did have them "in stock". Plus they had 2nd day shipping for 10 bucks. Ordered on the 25th of March, figured I would have them in a couple days and get them ready for a ride on the 1st. Boy was I wrong. Turns out, they have to order them from Hope, who takes a week to send out and another couple days to arrive at Universal Cycles in Portland, then UC would finally ship them to me. So much for second day.

So, they arrived today, everything together just as I ordered. Took off my old brakes and slapped the hopes on. Boy are they pretty. Installation only took an hour or so. I found them quite easy to set-up even with all the threads of people saying they were so difficult (the other forum). But I trusted my instincts, a.k.a. TurneRob's instincts and went ahead. I ended up with the M4/180mm 2-piece rotor up front and Mini/165mm rotor in the rear. Took them for a quick spin, and I already like them a lot. They feel so much nicer than the BB7 mechs - which I really liked. Apparently they take some time to bed in, but I figure I have just as much stopping power right out of the box.

Now all I have to do is fiddle with the ever so slight rub I have now. The front and the rear are giving me a tiny "ting" sound ever revolution. I doubt it affects the rolling of the wheels much, but more a nuisance.

Go me.

[Von-Skipp]

Nice Pat!! Im looking to do the exact same thing. I MUST/NEED to get rid of my avid mechs.

Im torn between the Juicy 7 and the Hopes. Did you get the 2 piece rotors? Also what kind of pricing did Universal give you (you can PM this to me).

You better start joining us some rides now!

[TURNERob]

Come on Pat, where are the pics?

As far as the pad rub its probably the rotors are a little warped (yes right out of the box) as the Hope rotors are known for not being perfect when new. Just take an adjustable wrench and us it as a "pry bar" to bend the rotors slightly in the opposite direction of where it is warped/rubbing and you'll be good to go.

[CalEpic]

Edit - Looks like Rob beat me to it.

Nice Pat, I was having a slight rubbing problem on my Mono M4's as well when they were new. From others I have talked to, it seems the two piece rotors are not as true as they should be out of the box. This was easily fixed by slighly bending the rotor with an adjustable wrench. Just slowly rotate the wheel until you see the rotor make contact with the pad then gently bend the rotor with the wrench in that spot. Continue until the rubbing is gone. This assumes the caliper is shimmed correctly. I also had a problem with the pads not fully retracting after I bled the brakes. After talking with Hope Customer Service, it seems the instructions in the manual are wrong. If the master cylinder is completely full, it won't allow the pads to retract fully.

Now if I could just get them to stop squeeling I'd be golden. Maybe Rob will let me borrow his facing tool?


C

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Now if I could just get them to stop squeeling I'd be golden. Maybe Rob will let me borrow his facing tool?

C

Just as soon as I figure out how to use it and do all of my bikes......which could take awhile

[dstepper]

I have been tempted to buy a set of these to straighten my rotors. Link below.

About brake squeal....I am constantly fighting that problem on my Juicy 7's and I have heard that Hopes can be as bad. Right now I have Galfer pads and a Galfer rotor on the front and a round Avid on the back. They feel and work so well that I am willing to keep playing with them

The best working brake that I have ever used is the Hayes Mag and a Hayes 8 inch rotor on the front of my 5-Spot. I have never had a rotor rub and it is dead quite.

http://morningstartools.com/drumstix.html

[mcgrath]

I know, I know. I gotta get some pictures up. hopefully this evening. I never really thought the rotors would be untrue. I suppose it's very likely though. I'll give it a whirl tonight.

[tkblazer]

congrats on the new brakes, i have the same exact setup on my tracer and i love it... i never messed with my rotors at all, but the noises that you are describing don't happen all that often.

[dirttorpeedo]

hey,about that sqweel from the brakes. some bike shops have some copper in a can. you put a tiny amount on the rotor and it stops the sqweel. you may also adjust the caliper abit offset/toedin/out.good luck.

[MTBMaven]

I have the same set up at mcgrath, except mine have the older one piece rotor. I am thinking about setting up in rotor size front and rear and going with a two piece rotor to help offset the weight of the larger rotor and adapor.

I got mine from a young guy trying to start on online company; Casino Bikes. He has a web site but it's not much. He works for Hope assembling brake kits shipped from the UK, so he is a master at assembling and bleeding brakes. I highly recommend him.

[Von-Skipp]

After searching for a couple days for some Hydros...

I ended up going with the Juicy 7's. 185mm front/160mm rear. I was tempted to go with the Carbons as there not much more $ but there not much lighter. And screw the carbon levers when I can get some sexy blue Dangerboy levers

Sorry George, I didnt use Jenson. Larry fromt MTN High gave me a pretty good deal. Will I be going faster or slower now?

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by IntenseKipp

After searching for a couple days for some Hydros...

I ended up going with the Juicy 7's. 185mm front/160mm rear. I was tempted to go with the Carbons as there not much more $ but there not much lighter. And screw the carbon levers when I can get some sexy blue Dangerboy levers

Sorry George, I didnt use Jenson. Larry fromt MTN High gave me a pretty good deal. Will I be going faster or slower now?

Dangerboy levers are the shizzle! You will so be the chick magnet now, unlike dirttorpeedo who is the tick magnet

oh yeah, dont forget the blue dangerboy bar end slugs...they are sweet...i have em with my dangerboy levers and chicks cant take their eyes off em. When i was at Larry's shop I noticed he had a bunch laying around....i bet he has em in stock at all times too.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by IntenseKipp

Will I be going faster or slower now?

Maybe stopping quicker, not necessarily quieter.

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Maybe stopping quicker, not necessarily quieter.

I think the new brakes will help immensely in him doing some 5ft hucks

[Von-Skipp]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

I think the new brakes will help immensely in him doing some 5ft hucks

sweet!! yeah my avid mechs just werent holding up with those 5footers.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by IntenseKipp

sweet!! yeah my avid mechs just werent holding up with those 5footers.

oh.....so maybe that is why i could not keep up with epic, torpeedo, and outlaw on J-drop.....i need new brakes is all! thanks!