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The Guide Rs' on my T130C are starting to give up the ghost, the pads don't retract brilliantly and drag some times and the front lever also feels very sticky, so am tempted to trade up to some Hope Stealth Race Evo's but am unsure where to go for X2's, E4's or a combo of both, E4 front/X2 rear. Anyone used either of those 3 combos?
used x2's for years but they are pretty weedy power wise compared to every other brake i've tried, E4 up front for sure
X2s on one bike E4s on another. X2s are perfectly adequate but I like the extra power of the E4s. I suppose E4 front X2 rear would be ideal but I'd just go for a pair of E4s unless the tiny weight difference really matters to you. I weigh about 70Kg
I run X2s on my burly hardtail, and have no problems stopping.
They do have the Tech 3 lever, which I'd recommend getting unless low weight is the aim.
I've got X2s with the race lever on another bike and they don't feel as powerful, I miss the adjustment features, and I've bent the lever blades a few time.
I've got Race Evo M4 (basically the same as the E4 caliper) on one bike, Tech 3 E4 on the other. The Tech 3 lever is brilliant - well worth the tiny amount of extra weight.
E4 are about one disc size more powerful than X2. X2 would be less hassle to set up as you only have two pistons to worry about. E4 will have a bit more modulation because of the four pistons per caliper. I wouldn't mix because of having to carry different types of pads. If you're light I'd go X2, if you're heavy I'd go E4. In between, it's up to you!
i'd just get the Guides serviced... not had a set of Hopes that didn't need constant TLC, certainly require far more than any SRAM brake i've used, and relative power is woeful anyway.
I'm in the 'i just don't get the appeal' camp when it comes to hope brakes...
Formula Cura one of the best i've used if you want something 'pimp' - actually powerful, reliable and IMO far better looking.
i’d just get the Guides serviced… not had a set of Hopes that didn’t need constant TLC, certainly require far more than any SRAM brake i’ve used, and relative power is woeful anyway.
Total balls, the Guides were down on power in the enduro mag dyno tests. The modern Hopes are the most reliable brakes I've owned.
Also massive lolz at talking about reliability and then suggesting formula.
I'm curious about hope brakes but having watched this 'how to bleed brakes' video from hope...im not sure I'm that curious, bleeding looks like a pain in the arse
Never had to use the easy bleed kit to get a decent bleed with the Tech 3 levers.
I have E4s on my big bike and x2 race on my HT, the E4s are way better with the tech 3 lever, presume the x2s would be better with the tech lever but for 70g I'd go e4 front x2 rear.
Hope's are very reliable got one bike with monos on at least 10 years old - never touched them!
You are having a laugh if you think formulas are good!
Race Evo lever is the same as a tech 3, just without adjustments. No more or less powerful. X2 are very adequate for most things but E4 are just a bit 'more'.
Had X2s.....fine except massive fade to zero in the Alps.
The lever geometry is different, the reservoir is bigger and it moves less fluid.
IMO, there are only two brake sets people should be using if they are not XC racers but non weight-weenying trail/all-mountain/enduro riders - Codes or V4s without the heavy braided hose. The rest is beating around the bush to save 30-50g per end.
I love my E4s. Best brakes I've used. Mine moved to the new bike to replace the Guide R after already replacing the XT on the previous bike. I also used to have M4s.
I'd go Tech 3 - the adjustments are awesome to get the feel you like. Also allows you to get the front and rear feel the same despite the cable length difference.
Down side of mine is the bling. On my old black and red bike the black and red bling of my hopes was awesome. On the black with mint and orange decals they look out of place. They feel awesome though which matters most.
Bleeding the Hopes is less faff than Shimano and quicker for me at least. Agree that getting the reservoir level is a bit of a challenge, but something we should be doing on other bikes too really.
Edit: looked at that video. Their old video doesn't have that funnel or anything. I do it with a screw driver, a wrench, and a clear tube running into a bottle from the caliper. Pour fluid directly into reservoir.
Warpcow
Race Evo lever is the same as a tech 3, just without adjustments. No more or less powerful. X2 are very adequate for most things but E4 are just a bit ‘more’.
You're wrong the ratios are different and the lever is flex compared to the Tech 3.
Get your facts right before posting incorrect information as though you are correct.
I've got E4s with Race levers, great brakeset, very understated too.