Which hope brakes for all mountain

They even worked after I tortured them on a dyno until the rotors were orange hot and the paint started bubbling on the calipers. That makes them a comically cost-effective option if your budget is tight. As well as making brakes, Magura is a massive automotive plastics manufacturer so perhaps no surprise they mix the two on their long-running MT series, but that definitely defines their character. The overall snatchy then spongey feel definitely divides riders into lovers and haters but Youtube superstar Danny MacAskill does OK on them!

Pricing is also excellent for the power, with various aftermarket lever options too. Hayes absolutely dominated the disc brake market at one time but lost that lead in a big way. Reach and bite point are tuneable and the blade uses cartridge bearings for a really smooth feel. Bedding in takes a while wet weather helps but power is plentiful when it gets there.

Feedback from the big first-generation Code caliper at the far end is clear and consistently progressive all the way down the longest descents. Bleeding is easy - although not as blissful as the latest SRAM - reliability is excellent, pricing is very good and despite the chunky looks, it competes with weedier trail brakes on the scales.

Whether the few grams saved on the carbon lever of the RSC is worth having is a moot point but they do feel warmer on fingers in winter and the cartridge bearing upgrade you get on the RSC gives a silky smooth, wobble-free feel. Swing Link leverage change, bite point adjustment that actually works, easy reach adjustment and sweet syncing with SRAM remotes and shifters at the bar end of the RSC are brilliant.

The modulation and consistency really shine in situations where all hell is breaking loose around you but the finger to trail connection stays weirdly calm. Either way, the bite point adjuster dial feels crisper and clickier on G2 and the return feels faster and lighter thanks to improved piston seals at the calliper end. The calliper is all-new too.

Together SRAM says this adds up to a seven per cent power increase to keep it in line with ever-faster trail bike speeds. The most noticeable difference though is a crisper, better communicated feel all round, keeping heart rate reasonable even in the sketchiest, slipperiest, turn in or wipe out moments.

Limited weight, limited availability - better get in line if you want to land yourself a pair of these. W ith the recent resurgence in shorter travel bikes and the appearance of the "downcountry" category, Hope felt it was time to look at improving what they were doing with their X2 and the discontinued "Race" line of brakes. Dropping weight was the main driver here, but also giving the brake a lighter feel.

Meet the all-new XCR! Looking over the new brake, the main difference is the new lever. Built around a radial master cylinder, it retains Hope's traditional reservoir design which allows for easy top-down bleeding albeit a bit messy, this method does produce great bleeds.

The lever body is much slimmer than on the current Tech 3 lever, and as just mentioned, the reservoir is oriented radially instead of along the direction of the bar.

The lever blade is made from carbon, and only offers reach adjustment which requires the use of an allen key. I suppose I was used to running hopes for 20 odd years with occasional bleeds and nothing more. Also had some hayes that were good. Then I got the shimanos which have been a total nightmare. So reliability is now a major priority and 2 pistons more reliable than 4? But will I have enough power with x2? Good link cgg — thanks. Our bikes hang vertically in a garage full of salty waterspouts equipment right by the beach and we dont ride off road in the winter so thats 4 months a year of them sitting.

Hope and hayes enjoyed this kind of treatment and I could just pull my bike out dust it off and ride. Having said all that, I think Shimano have got to the bottom of a lot of the issues that some of the recent models had, and now are getting better again. I can understand your reluctance though. I agree. But enough modulation to stay the right way up when on the greasiest flat-turned, off-camber, natural singletrack in the depths of winter.

You could always run a mismatched pair like I did for a while: E4 up front with an X2 out back. Some riders have moved allegiance to the ergonomics of SRAM levers these days which are really, really nice it has to be said but we still kinda like the overall experience with Shimano brakes.

Read our full test review of the Shimano Deore M With the latest-generation pads fitted, the Formula Cura 4 is a fantastic brake. What makes the Cura 4 even more impressive though, is that Formula has managed to achieve all of this while still producing one of the lightest high-powered brake systems on the market. A little tip from us is to try to make sure you get the version of the brakes with the later edition brake pads which offers much better consistency during longer, steeper descents.

These are very, very powerful stoppers. Any niggles you ask? The hosing length of the pre-bled boxed rear brakes can be a little on the short side if you have a bike with a really long wheelbase. Aside from that though, this is a welcome return to form for one of the original disc brake brands. Read our full test review of Formula Cura 4. Performance-wise the Clout1 is a good brake for the money.

Modulation is not its strong point, but its reasonably powerful, is dead easy to set up and bleeding is straightforward. So just where exactly have Clarks cut corners? Sure, the clamp is single bolt so you have to remove your grips and dropper remote to remove the brake from the bar. But… so what? Neither of those niggles are anything except mini moans. Well done Clarks! Read our full test review of the Clarks Clout1. Pro: Solid feel Con: Can develop sticky pistons if ignored.

And with good reason. Not great.