The main problem with V brakes is the wear they cause on rims in muddy conditions. As mud is an integral part of 90% of British rides then replacements can be a heavy expense for high mileage riders. Hope XC4 disk brakes may at first glance seem to be a bit of an expensive way to resolve the problem. But based on going through one and a half sets of rims a year at a replacement cost of £40 - 50 per wheel (including rebuilding) it doesn't take that long to begin to make a bit of sense. This is especially so if you specify the upgrade on a new machine and so gain the benefit of the value of the spare parts that will result.
My discs came at the start of June this year ready to a Marin East Peak. But after less than 100 miles both sets of pads were gone. Rather than going back to the LBS I got straight on to Hope, and they talked sense. Yes they were aware that some of their pads were giving very poor wear and they were obtaining pads with a better compound from suppliers in Spain (Galfer) but these would not be available for a few weeks. No questions asked they agreed to send two new sets of Galfer pads when available and in the meantime I would buy new pads from existing stocks (EBC), which I was assured would last significantly longer than the originals I had. If not another set of Galfer pads I guess.
The new ECB pads did last longer than the originals (600 miles with just over 50% wear before replacement for use as spares) and the Galfer pads did arrive in the post without further prompting. These have now covered 400 miles with about 30% wear and this in much worse conditions than the second pair of ECB's.
So I give full marks to Hope. They had a problem, they didn't try to hide it, and they have kept the customer happy whilst they sorted it. Well done.
Teething problems sorted there were no further hitches until the first really long down hill run - top of Cross Fell into Garrigill. The last section here is a rapid descent of over a mile in length needing almost constant use of the back brake - if you like to keep to speed in the less than insane zone. About half way down the rear brake started lock on and no amount of on the fly adjustment would free it. Stopping I looked behind to see a smoke trail not dissimilar to the trails left by the Red Arrows at an air show!
The long down hill had caused heating and accompanying expansion within the closed system so as to pump out the pads beyond the limits that could be catered for by the lever mounted adjusters. In fact so much expansion occurred that the adjuster was forced out of the reservoir. Again Hope sorted it after explaining the problem and sent a free replacement adjuster.
Over heating on long down hill runs is not uncommon in closed system hydraulic brakes but apparently the Galfer pads have reduced the problem. I have not encountered the phenomenon again, but have altered the way in which I use the brakes on down hill runs. I make much more use of the front brake so the braking requirement is spread evenly between the two hydraulic systems. I think this is probably a better way to use the brakes anyway.
Having used the brakes over the past six months they have definitely got my vote. Stopping power is awesome and nicely progressive, the adjuster is useful and is easily used on the go. You will almost, but not quite, eliminate that very unpleasant brake grinding noise when riding in mud and you won't have to replace your rims due to brake wear. In fact I haven't even needed to true my rims in the last six months.
Last Updated 28-11-2000
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