I have read reports of brakes being very on/off or "it was like over the bars or nothing at all". People have ridden my various bikes for a short while and some have commented on how sharp the brakes were, "I nearly went over the bars!" I have never found that, not once. Yes I could go OTB if I just yanked hard and was not prepared (I did it once when I was distracted, nearly broke both legs). But I have found all the brakes I've had to be either very good stoppers, with good modulation, or not good stoppers but used to be. When I get them to be not braking well, I can usually fix it quite readily. New pads, bedding in sanded pads, disco inferno, front bleed, full bleed, etc, whatever comb was required. What I could never fix was broken or cracked pistons that led to only one side working.
I once had a set of Shimano XT brakes where the rear brake howled like a banshee, it sounded like a car was coming down the mountain with its horn full on. The whole bike would vibrate! I tried everything, consulted everyone I could think of even the manufacturer. I followed up some of the more outlandish theories, all to no avail and I could not stop it for more than a week or so. I even swapped the brake over to another bike where it refused to howl, back again and the howling and vibration returned (was it the bike frame?). In the end I replaced the complete rear brake assembly and found peace at last. It didn't do it on my other bike, so I sold the brake assembly on eBay. No complaints.
so I'm thinking of the Hope tech3/e4 brakes as I've tried a mates non ebike with them and they feel great. He says that he wouldnt ride anything else. 
