Hope brakes.

I have the Tech X2 brakes. They are OK but not as strong as I like. I prefer the Elixir brakes. They seem to have more power but still modulate really well. The Hopes modulate well but you need to pull hard. I set the Hopes up two finger and Avid one finger. I weigh around 145 with clothes and stuff and I ride North Shore light technical trails.

On the other hand bleeding Avids can be challenging but Hopes are very easy.Hopes look fantastic and Avid looks production line.

If you really want hope consider getting a V2 for the front with a small rotor. I always run a 180 front rotor these days.

I'm running M4 front, X2 rear. My fave brakes ever. The elixirs are really really good too as mentioned. I'm a sucker for machine work thought and the Hopes bring the bling factor. I've never had an issue with power, esp out of the M4. I've been running hopes for over a decade and I've gotten really used to the modulation on them.

Tech X2s since they came out, best set of brakes I've ever had. No offense oldfart, but I don't know how you feel your X2s lack power to your Elixers, my experience is 100% opposite, but I'll take your word for it. FWIW I have '10 XX, '10 Elixer R SL, and Juicy 7s in my fleet as well. The Hopes win every front except for weight. They've never needed maintenance either and were a piece of cake to setup & bleed.

i was eyeing those tech X2's too

I had a couple other issues with them too. The front 183 rotor has a thick aluminum centre section which when combined with Easton Haven wheel hubs was very very close to the post mount of a Fox 32 float fork. Close enough that if scuffed the paint off when things flexed during a ride. Fine in the stand though. It was speced fine with Hope hubs though. Probably a peculiarity with those particular hubs. And check the tightness of the bolts. The banjo on the rear caliper loosened off on me during a ride and I lost too much fluid and the brake failed of course. Even after I did up the banjo bolt. I wonder if someone slipped a set of organic pads in there on me.

They did also require a bleed after several months of good use. Bat as has been pointed out a very simple and easy procedure. Good support videos on line too.

The XO's that I replaced them with came with organic pads. I found them to be not as strong as I like too until I put proper metallic pads in there. Now were golden.

skunkty14 said:

No offense oldfart, but I don't know how you feel your X2s lack power to your Elixers, my experience is 100% opposite, but I'll take your word for it. FWIW I have '10 XX, '10 Elixer R SL, and Juicy 7s in my fleet as well. The Hopes win every front except for weight. They've never needed maintenance either and were a piece of cake to setup & bleed.

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I was reading a brake test in a recent British Mountain bike magazine. They did more scientific testing in a lab and confirmed my experience with Tech X2 brakes. They are a lot less strong than Avids.