Hope Mono Mini Users!

[KBL]

I'm riding the older version of the Mono Mini. It's the one with the fixed rotors and the direct-mount (no adapter) caliper.

While I like the simplicity, the system doesn't leave much room for misalignment. Even the slightest rotor tweakage/heat warpage brings on the rubbing sounds. This is annoying and distracting. I start thinking about what might be wrong with my brakes instead of what's up ahead on the trail.

I am considering swapping out my fixed rotors for Hope's newer floating rotors.

Are any of you using the new-style Hope rotors?

If so, how do you like them?

Do they rub the calipers and make noise?

Thanks for your info...

Kevin

[MTBMaven]

I have been using Hope Mono Minis for years. The ones I have are black with gold round thing. Not the older silver minis. Not sure if there is a newer version or not. The ones I have have been excellent!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

I have been using Hope Mono Minis for years. The ones I have are black with gold round thing. Not the older silver minis. Not sure if there is a newer version or not. The ones I have have been excellent!

The new design does not use shims.

OP....... Do you have any pics? Sounds like an adjustment issue

[mntbiker12]

Not sure that the floating rotors would help you with your issue. As DZ said, it sounds like they need adjustment.

I have the floating rotors and experience the same problems if the caliper isn't adjusted properly.

[CalEpic]

I've had the floating rotors on two sets of Hopes and honestly, I don't think they'll hep your situation. You can true your existing rotors using an adjustable wrench to slightly tweak the rotor back into alignment.

[Cableguy]

Hope rotors/pads tend to cause a lot of noise. You might try using iso alcohol to clean your rotor and pads throughly. And then try organic pads if that doesn't work. I am not sure if the new floating rotors would solve your problem.

[Rockinthecasbah]

sounds like purely an adjustmant issue and the caliper needs to be shimmed over

[tkblazer]

yup you can use tools like the Morningstar drumstix, i still need to order a set

http://www.morningstartools.com/drumstix.html

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

yup you can use tools like the Morningstar drumstix, i still need to order a set

http://www.morningstartools.com/drumstix.html

my wallet now officially hates you. i need every single one of the morningstar tools!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

I've had the floating rotors on two sets of Hopes and honestly, I don't think they'll hep your situation. You can true your existing rotors using an adjustable wrench to slightly tweak the rotor back into alignment.

You can true your existing rotors using an adjustable wrench to slightly tweak the rotor back into alignment.

[KBL]

Thanks for all the input. I do have the version that uses shims between the caliper and the mounting tabs. The calipers are black with a gold "plug."

From what I can figure, I must have caught some debris in the rotor, which then rotated into the pads and tweaked the rotor as it went on through. The adjustment was good, and the lines had been recently bled.

I've got an Avid "wavy" rotor that I'm going to try. It is a fixed rotor, but the wavy design should eject trail debris better than the stock Hope rotor, which has no cutouts along its outer perimeter.

One other thing I might try is using a tab-facing tool to true up the mounting tab surfaces. I've been pretty meticulous with my shim spacing, but that only goes so far if the mounting tabs aren't on the same plane as the rotor.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by KBL

Thanks for all the input. I do have the version that uses shims between the caliper and the mounting tabs. The calipers are black with a gold "plug."

From what I can figure, I must have caught some debris in the rotor, which then rotated into the pads and tweaked the rotor as it went on through. The adjustment was good, and the lines had been recently bled.

I've got an Avid "wavy" rotor that I'm going to try. It is a fixed rotor, but the wavy design should eject trail debris better than the stock Hope rotor, which has no cutouts along its outer perimeter.

One other thing I might try is using a tab-facing tool to true up the mounting tab surfaces. I've been pretty meticulous with my shim spacing, but that only goes so far if the mounting tabs aren't on the same plane as the rotor.

Be careful with the rotors. I do not think they are the same thickness (Hopes are thinner) I could be wrong but was told that you can use Hope rotors on Avid calibers but not the other way around.

I am a Hope zealot and if you are in S OC I can take look at them for you

[KBL]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Be careful with the rotors. I do not think they are the same thickness (Hopes are thinner) I could be wrong but was told that you can use Hope rotors on Avid calibers but not the other way around.

I am a Hope zealot and if you are in S OC I can take look at them for you

Thanks...I'll be finding out in the next few minutes.

I'm a Hope fan, too. I'm using a Hope rear hub, which could be joined by a Hope stem and a matching lighting system.

[KBL]

...at least in this instance.

The rotor thickness appears to be basically identical. I did not have a caliper handy for an exact measurement, but if the two rotors have differing thicknesses I couldn't tell. Both were 160mm six-bolt rotors.

Performance was flawless--as good or better than with the original Hope rotor. I may swap out the front Hope rotor for an Avid. Like I said, I think the wavy design will clear debris much better than the round outer edge of the Hope rotor--no doubt that's why the new Hope rotors have a "shark tooth" profile on their outer edges.


After spending some time truing the rotor by hand, I decided to dig a little deeper into the caliper. It turns out that the dividing spring (the thing that resembles a four-legged spider) was mangled and twisted--no doubt the source of most of the noise I was hearing.

I am sure that some sort of trail debris was the cause. Nothing was left jammed in the caliper, but I have used a Hope disc up front for about three years without tweaking the dividing spring.

I replaced the dividing spring, pads (they still had life left, but not much) retaining pin, and wire clip. Next, the Hope rotor was replaced with the wavy Avid. I spent some time shimming the caliper, and secured it in place with blue Loctite when I found the sweet spot. Finally, I adjusted the fluid level and went for a Turnbull test run.

The brakes are working great. I'm stoked.

The end.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by KBL

...at least in this instance.

The rotor thickness appears to be basically identical. I did not have a caliper handy for an exact measurement, but if the two rotors have differing thicknesses I couldn't tell. Both were 160mm six-bolt rotors.

Performance was flawless--as good or better than with the original Hope rotor. I may swap out the front Hope rotor for an Avid. Like I said, I think the wavy design will clear debris much better than the round outer edge of the Hope rotor--no doubt that's why the new Hope rotors have a "shark tooth" profile on their outer edges.


After spending some time truing the rotor by hand, I decided to dig a little deeper into the caliper. It turns out that the dividing spring (the thing that resembles a four-legged spider) was mangled and twisted--no doubt the source of most of the noise I was hearing.

I am sure that some sort of trail debris was the cause. Nothing was left jammed in the caliper, but I have used a Hope disc up front for about three years without tweaking the dividing spring.

I replaced the dividing spring, pads (they still had life left, but not much) retaining pin, and wire clip. Next, the Hope rotor was replaced with the wavy Avid. I spent some time shimming the caliper, and secured it in place with blue Loctite when I found the sweet spot. Finally, I adjusted the fluid level and went for a Turnbull test run.

The brakes are working great. I'm stoked.

The end.

[KBL]

I'm gonna change "trail debris" to "severely worn pads" as the culprit.

I took a good look at the old pads and they hardly had any material left on them at all. Lack of pad material means a lack of surface to rest the dividing spring against. This would allow the dividing spring to get sucked into the rotor.

What have we learned from this? Replace your pads sooner rather than later! This applies mostly to you, Kevin.

--Kevin

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by KBL

I'm gonna change "trail debris" to "severely worn pads" as the culprit.

I took a good look at the old pads and they hardly had any material left on them at all. Lack of pad material means a lack of surface to rest the dividing spring against. This would allow the dividing spring to get sucked into the rotor.

What have we learned from this? Replace your pads sooner rather than later! This applies mostly to you, Kevin.

--Kevin

Had that happen to me with a set of Avid's.........but that is a different rant

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Had that happen to me with a set of Avid's.........but that is a different rant

yup, same thing happened to me, ruined a set of pads and a rotor