News from where the lights are bright, and the pretty ladies wander up and down the street eyeing you up… yes folks, news from Barnoldswick…

Those clever chaps at Hope Technology have been working overtime on new brakes, and one of their results is the new Mini Open.

It’s a brake that’s small and light, that uses the same size pads as the current Open2 brake, and as it is “open” will cope with overheating well – as the system self-regulates to avoid fluid-expansion affecting brake performance.

Downsides? Well, you can’t adjust the point at which the lever hits the disc, and you may get some disc rub in some situations.

By the way, we’ve also heard that Hope are making some “wavey” discs – like trials motorbikes use. These wobble up and down to force mud out of the calipers, and also are solid, without lightening holes. MBUK claim they are “the bollocks”…more when we know it.

This picture came courtesty of Gofar-mtb. Thanks lads.