Eurobike 15 – Hope Technology

Hope show us some of their newest bits and pieces for 2016

Hope have been working on a few new things for 2016, I went along for a look to see what’s what.

With the new surge in DH riders using smaller 7 speed system, Hope saw an opportunity to improve the strength of rear wheels. The hub uses the same free hub as the regular hubs but the drive side flange moves out over the top of it. This increase the distance between the flanges, in turn increasing wheel stiffness. Available in Shimano or Sram flavours, 135/150/157 widths.

I’ve been a fan of Hope hubs for as long as I’ve been riding a bike. Good quality, durable and easy to maintain. The new Pro 4s include several over the Pro 2 Evo, 44th ratchet for ten percent quicker engagement, increased flange width for the ever growing rim sizes. As with the rest of the Pro range of hubs, versatility is again great. The front hub is compatible width QR, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm and 20mm. The rear compatible with QR, 10mm, 12mm. Free hub options are Shimano 8, 9, 10 and 11spd, Campag and Sram XD.

One of Hope’s long term development projects is their rear cassette, it’s gone through many stages in its evolution. It now has a single piece, stainless steel cluster for the higher 7 speed cluster. This is the same cluster used on the short downhill cassette.

For the lower 3/4 gears 10/11spd), Hope use a single piece of machined aluminium.

Hope have stuck with the magic 20% ratio change between gears, depending on 10 or 11spd you get the following ratios – 10-40 (10spd) and 10-40 or 10-44 (11spd). Available in January 2016.

I’ve been using a Hope light for years and have been very pleased with it. I know some people who prefer integrated batteries for their lights, for those people Hope now have the R2i. It uses the same 2 Cree LEDs (giving 1300 lumens) as the R2, but the R2i has the new integrated battery. This has 6 power settings and a burn time of between 1/30 hours depending on settings.

As always, Hope reveal a new colour way each year. This year it’s the turn of orange, available across the full range of products.

One of the oldest products that Hope make, disks, they have been making these for 25 years. Hope have redesigned the rivet and centre of the disk, this gives an overall reduction in weight but keeping superb durability. 180/183/185? I’m aware some people get confused by these small increments in size and find it awkward. Well, Hope have now decided to standardise on the more common 180mm sized disk, this requires the new mounts, L – standard post to post mount (180mm), M – IS front to IS mount (180mm), N – IS rear to post mount (180mm). They will however continue to manufacture the existing 183mm disks and corresponding mounts.

As riders try to reduce the weight of their sleds, one important area to consider is rotational weight. Hope have been looking into this with their new DH rims. They have tried to address this without compromising strength, the profile of the rim offers maximum strength, without adding additional weight.

Hope have been playing with carbon recently, they have a seatpost available in January and also in development an all new bar. The seatpost is designed, tested and made in their own factory in Barnoldswick. Available in 27.2mm (195g), 30.9mm and 31.6mm.

Plans have been put in motion for a visit to the factory over the coming months. We’ll obviously keep you fully informed, watch this space.