First Look: Hope XCR 199g XC/Trail brakes

Hope releases the ultra-lightweight Hope XCR weighing at a feathery 182g per end, and we have a first look.

Fans of Hope brakes, but those not needing the all-out stopping power of their current range, haven’t had much choice since the end of the XC orientated Race line of brakes. Hope says that they always planned to launch a new XC/Trail brake, but we suppose developing enduro and trail bikes, plus building a track bike with Lotus does eat into R&D time. Still, the new Hope XCR is finally here, and just in time for the increase in popularity of XC, Trail and DOWN COUNTRY bikes (click here to jump to the comments).

Though the name and low weight of the system imply the XCR is destined for cross-country race bikes, Hope assures us that there’s enough power on tap for trail riding too and as I like to be a little naughty I think I’ll be fitting this set to my Pole to see how they stand up to the more aggressive end of the riding spectrum.

First Look: Hope XCR brakes

Anyone familiar with Hope products will instantly recognize the beautiful machine work that has gone into the XCR. Rather than leaving their produces with a smooth, polished finish, Hope leaves machine lines in the material so you can almost imagine how the CNC machine passed over the raw material.

The lever body is minimalistic in design and construction and doesn’t feature the usual toolless adjustments associated with a Hope lever. Instead to save weight the lever blade is made from carbon and feautures a single reach adjustment controlled via Allen Key. The lever operates the hydraulic piston vertically, forcing fluid to the hose which exits the body at an angle that naturally runs hoses away from the frame and controls.

On previous Hope brakes, we have seen the brand run a split clamp design but the new XCR uses a hinged clamp which I believe make installation a little easy and I’m sure helps with retaining that low weight. Speaking of weight the 199g figure includes the hose, caliper, lever, pads and even brake fluid. Another useful feature of the clamp design is the ability to mount dropper levers and shifters directly to them for even more weight saving and a neater handlebar.

The only design aspect carried over from current Hope levers is the reservoir cap which appears to be the same size and shape, though I’ve not tested this.

Follow the hose to the opposite end of the system and you come across and a single piece caliper design with 2 pistons for clamping on discs. While it’s clear that Hope has aimed at a low system weight I’m happy to see they haven’t sacrificed certain items. The pad retention system still uses a threaded pin and metal lock tab, and there is even a small knuckle to stop the banjo from being knocked and ripped off in an accident.

Not easily spotted from the outside are the new brake pads featuring alloy backplates for more weight saving. A sleek crimped banjo attaches at the caliper end of the XCR with a standard olive arrangement at the lever end.

I’ll be mounting these up to the Pole Taival for a little while and also be giving them a run on the YT Izzo as the 130mm travel ripper sounds like just the bike Hope had in mind when developing the XCR. Stay tuned for a full review soon, but for those of you wanting a pair right now, visit the Hope website where the British made XCR is on sale from today for £250 per brake.

Hope XCR Features

• Total System weight only 199g (Complete system Lever, hose and caliper)
• 182g without fluid (most brake weights seem to be quoted without fluid)
• Lightweight Minimalist design
• Reduced lever friction for lighter feel
• Hinge Clamp for easy Installation
• Reservoir to enable simple bleed process
• Compatible with current shifter mounts
• Carbon Lever Blade
• Silver anodising
• RRP £250/€315/$320 Per brake