Hope X2 in the mountains

Hope X2 in the mountains – Hope say trail but not really AM… so… will they overheat and be useless on stupid long alpine descents, or are they actually more capable than Hope reckon?

What do they feel like when they begin to lose it, or is it simply a case of not enough power, and hence go for M4 (or if you want stupid power go V2).

Real world experiences please 😉

I haven’t found the tech M4s to be a hell of a lot better than either avids or shimano’s at resisting fade on looooong descents, but I probably drag my brakes way to much.

They are maybe a bit better, but still fade, and turkey gobble when they really heat up also (doesn’t affect braking but a comical noise).

Better feel than any other brake I have used however, truly marvelous. And the engineering and support from Hope is brill.

others MMV.

So, not really answering your Q, but hopefully insightful! 🙂

Thats good info thanks.

Used my Tech X2’s with 180mm rotors all week in Morzine bombing everywhere – 100% perfect, no fade, no problem.

Also have M4’s on my Orange 224 and no fade whatsoever. I brake very hard, but I don’t drag the brakes though.

I have overheated M4s on the tandem.
One of two things happens – the lever pushes out against your hand but the brake still works – that gives you warning its going to go. However once what happened was that I released the brake – and next time I pulled it on I go nothing – lever back to the bar – I assume as I let go of the lever the fluid boiled as the pressure dropped.

Bleed thru with fresh fluid should help prevent the fluid bioling.

Hmmm – I guess it depends if you drag the brakes then.

I noticed Tom (the Bomb) Braithwaite uses teeny tiny disks and X2’s on his trail bike… but I suspect he doesn’t actually use the brakes that much compared with us mere mortals.

I’ve used my Tech X2’s for Cairngorm descents, the longest being off Ben McDhui. Plenty of power for me and no fade that I noticed although to be fair it was not one continuous descent. Was not very happy with them when first fitted, but now I’ve bled the reservoirs as per the Hope website video they are perfect. M4’s would be the same.

A few weeks before the Ben McDhui ride I did Cairngorm down to Loch Morlich with my Mono Minis and also didn’t get fade. Subjectively I would say the X2’s without a reservoir bleed were about the same power as perfectly set up Minis, but once done properly have more power with at least as good modulation

Interesting info thanks Captain – I proper bleed with good quality newly opened DOT fluid does do a power of good for a brake.

Steve Peat used to use Mono Mini’s – but like Tom I suspect he doesn’t brake much…

I currently have Mono-Mini’s with 160mm floating rotors. I’m off to the Alps in the summer and am considering upgrading to something more “alpine”. Definately larger rotors, but maybe M4’s or X2’s.

Would probably keep them on afterwards. How much heavier etc are the M4’s?

X2 = 330g, M4 = 400g with 160mm rotors

V2 = 550g with 180mm rotors

I have V2’s with 203mm rotors and they are awesome – but overkill for the bike I now have them on (they were bought for a different bike/life).

Sounds like M4’s might be what I need, not that much heavier than X2’s / Mono-Mini’s.

On/off braking is the way not to cook your brakes, dragging them will not allow them to cool.

Front M4 with smaller rotor X2 rear is a great set-up.

Messiah – I need to take the M4’s off the Albert to fit braided hoses so you’re more than welcome to try them for a couple of rides before I put them back on?

Have you totally decided on Hope? Reason I ask is that Formula Oros are still very cheap and will do the job you need perfectly. I don’t know what it takes to make them fade but even with a knobber like me dragging their brakes the whole way down a world cup dh course, mine didn’t even seem to notice…

Good shout Northwind, i’ll also check out the Oro’s.