I found that Hope Pro 2 front hubs with a 20mm through axle do require new bearings at least once a year if you are using the bike three times a week. I've had a 15mm through axle Pro 2 for a year and it has remained sweet...I think this is becauise the 15mm adaptor protect and support the bearings much more than the 20mm end caps.
Hope Pro2 rear hubs seem to last about one and a half to two years of similar use before they need bearing replacement (on a Marin Full Sus and a 303 and a 456). The pawl leaf springs seem to go sooner, maybe once a year which is diagnosed by a tell tale lack of clickiness.
For those singing the praises of XT...........yes, I have run a set of late 1990s XT hubs for six years with no problem other than regular hub servicing. New XTs have been a disaster for me....they constantly undo, no matter what I've done, and I know there are loads of similar problems out there with them.
