I’m in the process of building a bike and can’t decide whether to go for Hope Evo or Race levers (Both on X2 calipers). What I want to know is how much anyone who does have Evo levers uses the Pad Contact Adjust, how good it is and whether it is worth the extra weight and them not looking quite as nice.

Do you mean Tech Evo vs Race Evo?

Oh yes, sorry.

Race levers for everything other than the DH bike. Tech levers flex less but not enough difference to justify the weight. Extra adjustments are pointless.

Race lever IMO. more powerful too from memory.

Tech levers look cooler

I haven’t tried the Tech levers but the Race ones feel great and are powerful. The mag tests suggested that the Race ones have better lever feel (ie less skidding) and more power, which makes sense when you consider that they are simpler (less friction) and move less brake fluid (higher leverage ratio). I’m using them with M4 calipers. I believe the dyno tests claimed the Race Evo X2 were more powerful than the Tech Evo M4 (but obviously wouldn’t handle heat as well).