Bike Magic » Hope | Bike Magic

Video: Hope’s ‘Wheels of Industry’ Factory Tour…

James McKnight — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:56:19 +0000

Is this how all Hope products are made? Better get an order down for a set of those wheels now! What a brilliant edit with just about every big name rider you could want in there (including Dougie Lampkin, Guy Martin, Chris Akrigg and Martyn Ashton amongst others). Peaty and Warner – what a couple of slackers!

www.hopetech.com

Quick-fire questions: Hope’s Rachael Walker

Bikemagic — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:26:02 +0000

We’re asking some of the sport’s up-and-comers and most motivated riders what it is that keeps them keen and out on the bike come rain or shine. This time we have Hope’s Rachael Walker who rides, races and works for the northern engineering firm.

Hope’s Rachael Walker.

Well known on the mountain bike race scene, Rachael has raced everything from crits on the road to downhill races at Fort William and literally every discipline in-between. For 2013 expect to see her racing enduros and ‘getting out there’ to ride and race at locations countrywide.

BM 1: What motivates you to train?

RW: I love riding bikes. Getting fitter and stronger and better technically makes riding more enjoyable so that’s motivation enough. Everyone is going faster each season, knowing that all your competitors are training is a real motivation for me.

I live on the doorstep of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales where there’s some pretty epic riding- if that doesn’t motivate you I don’t know what will.

2: If you set yourself goals what are they?

Everyone always wants to get faster, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t naturally competitive. I ride with a fast bunch of lads so I guess my specific goals are to try keep up with the guys as much as possible and ride like them, following their lines definitely helps. I get a lot of stick from the guys if I ‘ride like a girl’ and no sympathy if things don’t go right on the track so I’m pretty focused on achieving my goals!

On the fitness side of things I figure anything the guys can do I can do better (or at least try). Needless to say it can sometimes get a bit competitive on the road or xc bikes..

3: What gets you out on the bike in winter?

Mixing it up in the winter works for me. The weather can be a bit grim but I think as long as you keep it interesting you can still enjoy a lot of riding. For me a mixture of DH, trail, XC, CX, road and a bit of gym thrown in for good measure seems to work. You never lose interest in one type of riding.

Racing enduro seems like a natural step for many ‘true’ mountain bikers and Rachael’s ‘ride it all’ attitude fits perfectly with the discipline. Expect top results in 2013.

4: Do you have a trainer, do you think it makes a difference and do you think general riders should employ one?

I don’t voluntarily employ a trainer but I’m pretty fortunate in that I ride with such a diverse gang of people who all kind of train me in different ways. I ride with my old All Terrain team (Whitfield brothers, Flanagans, Simon Cheung and Ben Whitehead) and Rob Jarman who are basically a bunch of nutters where every ride out is a training ride.

I work with former national CX champ called Paul Oldham, who is pretty good at handing out tips and laughing at my lunchtime roller sessions!

So no I don’t think personal trainers are necessary. I think it’s better to have a training partner, someone of a similar ability who you can get a bit competitive with and push each other.

5: What, if anything, are you doing differently this winter?

I didn’t really stop racing this winter. I decided to do CX races which was a real lung burner. I didn’t really do much DH, more XC and road riding. I cant wait to get riding DH again on the new rig so hopefully something might have worked!

Bonus: What races are you signed up for this year?

Something along the lines of some national and Scottish DH, Slovenian, German and UK enduros, UK XCs and dare I say it some crit road races. It’s gonna be a busy one!!

www.hopetech.com

Read about Rachael’s team-mate Sam Flanagan here.

Quick-fire questions: Hope Factory Racing’s Sam Flanagan

Bikemagic — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:51:40 +0000

Sam Flanagan is a British mountain biker who has recently been picked up by Hope Factory Racing having won the overall senior title at the 2012 British Gravity Enduro series.

We’ve been asking some of the sport’s up-and-coming riders what keeps them motivated to ride and train throughout the winter and so we come to Sam; a guy who grew up riding all sorts and racing downhill with ‘training’ coming naturally – it’s all fun to him.

Hope’s Sam Flanagan reflecting on another epic ride.
Photo © Sam Needham

1: What motivates you to train?

I have never been massively into my training previously (coming from a downhill background), I do however have a lot of stamina and never seem to be able to give in no matter how much it is hurting! I went into last year’s enduro season after a winter of limited riding and no real base fitness, I built this up throughout the season which is definitely not the best way to go about things.

My main motivation to train is the drive to win that everyone who races feels as well as my love of riding. Sundays wouldn’t be the same without rambling up a big old hill and blasting down some epic singletrack with the boys in full on horizontal rain or glorious sunshine, the feeling when you’re nailing it down a big Lakeland trail is enough motivation for me!

2: If you set yourself goals what are they?

My main goals for this season are to relax and have fun. The less pressure I pile on myself the easier the results seem to come. I would love to get some top 10 World Enduro Series finishes and front row of the Mega and Mountain of Hell so watch this space.

3: What gets you out on the bike in winter?

My love of riding as well as my new green blinged-out Hope Factory Racing Yeti SB66C. A new bike is the best way to motivate you to get out on those freezing cold snow filled trails! If I don’t get out on a bike of some kind at least once a day it feels like a wasted day. I also have a great group of mates and we all motivate each other to get out in all conditions and get wild.

Training for Sam is more about getting out on the bike whatever the conditions.
Photo © Sam Needham

4: Do you have a trainer, do you think it makes a difference and do you think general riders should employ one?

I don’t currently have a trainer. However, I am reaching the stage in my training where it would be very beneficial. I feel like my fitness has reached a certain level and to get it to the next stage I need to look at modifying my diet as well as working out the best things to do to get the most from my training without over doing it and blowing out.

If anyone out there wants to help me out with a good plan I would be very grateful…

In terms of general riders and training I believe that people will start off riding with a view to doing it for fun but they will soon get the bug and drive to do well. Realistically there will only be a few that are willing to take it to that next level however; to not go out drinking or eating the wrong things and to focus on getting their fitness and results up.

5: What, if anything, are you doing differently this winter?

The main thing I am doing differently this winter is working hard on my core strength and fitness in the gym using both weights as well as cardio. I have always been into my big epic rides that have known to zombify a few people who don’t come prepared for the distance and climbs…

Also if the bike hasn’t been carried at least twice during a Lake District epic then you’re doing it all wrong! Roadie miles are also a big part of my training this year; this hasn’t really played a part in previous years’ training. However, I need to step up the efforts and sprints to get the power up to get into beast mode on some of those big old flat-out pedalling stages at the enduro races. I have always enjoyed riding BMX as cross training and this is how I initially got into riding so this is still a big part of my winter regime.

Bonus question: What races are you signed up for this year?

This year I will be competing in all the UK Gravity Enduro series rounds, the European rounds of the Enduro World Series and the Megavalanche, Mountain Of Hell, selected Superenduros and hopefully some of the American races, dependent on my budget! It is going to be one hell of a year.

Thanks Sam.

You can follow Sam on instagram to keep up with how it is all going – @samfla

www.hopetech.com

Once upon a trail: Adam Brayton on Hope

Bikemagic — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:23:25 +0000

Adam Brayton is onto a great deal as he has just signed to ride for Hope in 2013. Following several months off the bike with a shoulder injury he is back on the bike and, if this edit is anything to go by, riding as fast as ever. The intro to this one is definitely of an ‘alternative’ nature…

Enjoy:

“After a warm welcome to the Hope Factory team, ‘Gas to Flat’ is back and gassing after being off the bike for 3 months with a shoulder injury. Brayton riding, how only Brayton can ride. Hope present, Once Upon A Trail.”

Limited edition Pink range from Hope

Bikemagic — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:46:04 +0000

Back by ‘popular demand’, the colour pink has crept its way into the Hope range of components. Will you be braving the Pink Range..?

Here’s the word from Hope:

LIMITED EDITION HOPE PINK RANGE

Due to popular demand from the guys and girls alike, here at Hope we’ve decided to bring back pink! Whilst we know the guys will love it too, this range is aimed at the growing number of female riders who demand high performance components to match their riding style (but with a little female touch)!

For guys or gals according to Hope. Will you be making the purchase?

The Hope Pink range will cater for cross-country, enduro and downhill orientated riders, with the range consisting of hubs, brakes, pedals and stems.

Hope Tech Evo X2 brakes:

The Tech Evo X2 is the perfect brake for cross-country and freeride style riding offering the perfect blend of power, low weight and adjustability.

Fully CNC machined in Barnoldswick, England
Externally adjustable Tech Evo lever (great for those with a slightly smaller reach)
Choice of black or braided hose
Fixed or floating 6 bolt pink centred rotors in: 140, 160, 183, or 203mm
Weight from 340g

Hope Pro 2 Evo Hubs:

The proven Pro 2 Evo hubs have gone from strength to strength, with countless tests and reviews and of course rider feedback confirming that the Pro 2 Evo is everything that we designed it to be. If they’re good enough for the guys they’re good enough for the girls!

32 hole front and rear (6 bolt compatible), available in the following combinations:

Front: 9, 15, 20mm and QR. Rear: 135mm (QR, 10mm (through and boltin), 12mm through and XX1 compatible), 142mm – X12 or XX1 compatible

CNC machined in Barnoldswick, England, built and hand finished in the UK
Weight: front: 185g (QR) and rear 285g (QR)

Feel the need for a dash of pink?

Hope F20 pedals:

The slim profile and lightweight design of the fully CNC machined Hope F20 pedal makes them one of the most reliable pedal options on the market.

20 replaceable pins per pedal provide excellent traction and grip
Slightly concaved platform is supported by one Norglide bush and 3 cartridge bearings in a fully sealed chamber to ensure a long lasting and maintenance free running
Weight: 390g per pair

Freeride/Cross-country stem:

Two oversized bar options available:

Cross-country: 90mm length, 0 degree rise. Enduro/freeride: 50mm length, 0 degree rise

CNC machined in Barnoldswick, England from 2014 T6 aluminium
Weight from 144g

www.hopetech.com

How to: Service your Hope Pro 2 rear hub

Bikemagic — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:29:18 +0000

Our second how-to of the day, this time from the folk at Hope who are here to talk you through a re-build of their Pro 2 rear hub.

“The now proven range of Pro 2 hubs have gone from strength to strength since they were launched. Countless tests,reviews and of course rider feedback have shown that the Pro 2 is everything that we designed it to be.

This hub features a one piece 7075 aluminium rotor body and pawl carrier. Four pawls engage into a twenty-four tooth steel ratchet which is fixed into the hub shell and is sealed with a frictionless, non contact labyrinth seal. The axle runs on five cartridge bearings.

The following types are available and can be interchanged with additional spacers/axles which are available separately: – Rear QR – Rear 10mm Saint – Rear 12mm (135) – Rear 10mm Bolt in (135) – Syntace X12 142mm.

The rear hub is also available in 12mm/150mm wide (note this is a new hub. Not a conversion).

This short video by Sam Needham takes you through step by step how to service your Pro 2 Evo rear hub.”

www.hopetech.com

Video: inside Hope’s wheel-building workshop

Bikemagic — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:00:09 +0000

Ever wondered how wheels are made? Here’s a look inside Hope Technology’s wheel-building facility, where clever machines do the initial assembly (with a bit of help from people) and people do the final truing and tensioning (with a bit of help from clever machines).

Eurobike 2012: Hope rolls out pedals, bash ring & more

John Stevenson — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:59:40 +0000

Hope Technology, the CNC-machined components wizards from Barnoldswick, have unveiled a handful of tasty new goodies at the Eurobike show, including a brand new flat pedal.

Big, burly and well-sealed, Hope’s flat pedals are available in six colours.

The £120 pedal, which bears the designation F20 for its 20 stainless steel pins, is machined from 2014 T6 aluminium alloy and then anodised in one of the six standard Hope colours (silver, black, red, blue, gold and gunsmoke).

The body turns on a Norglide bushing and three cartridge bearings, and according to Hope’s Alan Weatherill, it’s as thin as practicable within the constraints of getting quality, durable bearings in there. The axle is made from heat-treated, plated chromoly steel so should also be plenty durable.

A more everyday bit of bling, Hope’s new jockey wheels have stainless steel roller bearings, protected by labyrinth seals. The upper is compatible with any rear derailleur that uses an 11-tooth top pulley and a pair costs £23.

SRAM isn’t yet even shipping its new 11-sprocket cassette, but Hope is about to release a rear hub that will take the uber-wide, 10-42 XX1 cluster. In fact, it’s not just a rear hub, the freehub body will retro fit Pro2 Evo and Pro 3 wheels – essentially most Hope wheels of the last 18 months or so – so owners of Hope wheels can move to XX1 without having to buy new wheels.

Hope Integrated Bash Ring looks like a very tidy solution.

Speaking of single ring systems, Hope also announced a combined chainring and bashguard, the Integrated Bash Ring. Available in 32 to 36-tooth versions, it’s machined from a single piece of 7075 T6 aluminium and hard anodised in gold, black or silver. It can be used for a range of applications, from cross-country to downhill enduro and works with Hope’s new chain guides.

We can’t talk about Hope without mentioning the latest disc brake, though there’s not been much development there in what is a pretty mature sector for Hope. The main new part is the V4 brake, a new downhill unit that replaces the V2. It boasts increased caliper stiffness and bigger pads (the small piston is the size of the V2′s large piston) for better braking and pad life, but the complete nit with rotor is lighter than the V2.

Bubbling under from Hope, the company is still working on a crank, but describes this as “very much a work in progress” and isn’t giving any launch dates as yet, while the rear cassettes are “starting to look like an ‘eternity’ product. One day but not just yet.”

www.hopetech.com

IMG_3981 IMG_3995 IMG_3982 IMG_3994 IMG_3993 IMG_3992 Hope Integrated Bash Ring looks like a very tidy solution. IMG_3990 IMG_3986 IMG_3985 Hope sealed bearing jockey wheels - because you can't have enough bling.