What was that? Hope’s? Not very good?

Well… maybe it’s too early to tell. Maybe there’s something wrong with them, but having given them a good ride to bed in, and the disc a good degrease, I’m still far from convinced of the stopping power of the Hope XC4 system.

They fit on really easily – two bolts, a handful of shim washers (always the same amount on both pairs of forks I’ve tried – perhaps it’s not the mount, but the brake?) but THE STOPPING POWER REALLY ISN’T ANYTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT.

Perhaps it’s my fault for living in Calderdale. We’ve got really, really silly descents here. “Descent to Mad Sheeptrack” caused serious pump-up the other night and things don’t seem to be getting much better.

Are there any other XC4 users out there who’d like to comment? Drop me an e-mail [email protected] and let’s see what sort of picture we can put together on these brakes.

Update:

Lots of you have mailed us (keep them coming) about your problems, and fixes and things. Several things are becoming clear:-

1) They are a compromise brake. Designed for XC RACING not really trail riding.

2) Hope are sourcing new Spanish pads which some people have already tried and they say they work better. Others have tried and say they work better for a while.

3) Bleeding the brakes is recommended. Even from new.