Convince me I don't need to replace my MT7's with Hopes!

[Gartman]

Hi All,

So I have a trip to Morzine booked June 2026 on the DH vessel. I've really been liking the look of T4 V4s, or GR4s, (although I could do without the price-tag of the GR4s).

I've bought a 38mm 2024 Boxxer Ultimate to replace the 35mm 2019 Boxxer Ultimate I currently run, and while I was at it, I was thinking of replacing the MT7s with a pair of Hopes.

I really like the look of Hope brakes - as an engineer, my engineer brain takes great pleasure in the workmanship and the feel of Hope gear.

What's particularly swaying me towards Hopes is the idea of breaking a Magura lever, while at DYFI or Morzine and the faff of bleeding the line while there.

I've done 2 weekends at Dyfi and quite a few uplifts at my local in Rostrevor on the DH and have never had an issue with my MT7s.

I run Shigura setup on my Ebike, and for the past 2.5 years they have been faultless - have so much power even with the sport pads - I prefer the race pads, but they don't last as long.

I have put the Oak Components lever on the MT7s-but I'm yet to even ride it with this lever. Looks and feels first class mind you.

Anyone got any experience with both.

Cheers.

 

[irie]

If you have brakes which work great then why muck around with them?

 

[Gartman]

Serviceability, as I'll be keeping the DH bike for a long time. So having brakes that I can strip down and service, and are stronger should I have a crash and not worry about snapping the crappy lever/master cylinder.

 

[RickBullotta]

MT7's on every bike I own. Once setup, they're excellent brakes. I recommend Storm HC rotors and green or gold pads.

 

[Gartman]

MT7's on every bike I own. Once setup, they're excellent brakes. I recommend Storm HC rotors and green or gold pads.

I genuinely love the MT7s, they have serious power, rarely fade and light lever feel. I can't stand long throw lever brakes, so the Maguras have been great for me. Shigura setup on my Ebike is next level power. Just been curious for Hope as they would be more impact proof and might have a longer lifespan.

 

[RickBullotta]

I genuinely love the MT7s, they have serious power, rarely fade and light lever feel. I can't stand long throw lever brakes, so the Maguras have been great for me. Shigura setup on my Ebike is next level power. Just been curious for Hope as they would be more impact proof and might have a longer lifespan.

Luckily I've yet to damage a master cylinder or caliper. Only bent two levers over the years, and I have the replacement process down to a couple minute job because I also swap out the levers for the HCW levers. I do have a set of the Oak levers that I haven't yet installed (I'm too lazy to want to do a bleed).

 

[Kepa]

Nice rig! It would look even better with some Hope-bling

I'm a huge Hope-fanboy especially for the serviceability, and I also like the long lever the tech4 has. And IMO they look better than the MT7s. I've Never tried MT7s, but what I've read about, should be great brakes anyway

 

[VWsurfbum]

I ride with a lot of hope fan boy's. they're always squeaking or getting long levers or a lack of power because of the bleeding process? Sorry, but as an engineer, I always look at the hope brakes and think they look unfinished.
Any brakes where you have to sell seperately the bleed kit, is always a bit suss?

Maguras are powefull, good modulation and if you pt the HC3 levers on, you'll have more adjustability than the hopes.

 

[Gartman]

I ride with a lot of hope fan boy's. they're always squeaking or getting long levers or a lack of power because of the bleeding process? Sorry, but as an engineer, I always look at the hope brakes and think they look unfinished.
Any brakes where you have to sell seperately the bleed kit, is always a bit suss?

Maguras are powefull, good modulation and if you pt the HC3 levers on, you'll have more adjustability than the hopes.

True, I can see where you're coming from alright. I was initially put off the Hopes in the first place, as my buddys T4V4s constantly need bled. And my MT&s on my Ebike have never once required bleeding once done properly. Well, that and the prices, as I can buy a full MT7 setup for around £280. And at the time T4 V4s were at least double the price. I can't stand pad rub squeal either - Hope are known for this.

 

[Kepa]

I ride with a lot of hope fan boy's. they're always squeaking or getting long levers or a lack of power because of the bleeding process? Sorry, but as an engineer, I always look at the hope brakes and think they look unfinished.
Any brakes where you have to sell seperately the bleed kit, is always a bit suss?

Maguras are powefull, good modulation and if you pt the HC3 levers on, you'll have more adjustability than the hopes.

I was surprised with the noise, and frankly it still annoys me, but not enough to replace them with something else. Or Maybe with Braking Incas.. or Trickstuff..

 

[Kepa]

True, I can see where you're coming from alright. I was initially put off the Hopes in the first place, as my buddys T4V4s constantly need bled. And my MT&s on my Ebike have never once required bleeding once done properly. Well, that and the prices, as I can buy a full MT7 setup for around £280. And at the time T4 V4s were at least double the price. I can't stand pad rub squeal either - Hope are known for this.

I think you convinced yourself with this one

 

[Plummet]

Here'a my main criteria for brakes. Can i go to any local bike shop in a town and buy spares? if yes, the the brakes are good. If not,,,, too boutique!

 

[baldiebenty]

I've got Hope V & E 4's spread across 4 bikes, I love them, love the feel, love the look, and really rate the ability to maintain them with all the parts available.
They're not something you have to just throw away and replace like the Shimano and Srams of this world. However, they're a bit of a faff, can be a 'mare to get a good bleed on and often need tweaking, they do also squeal like a piggy.
All that said I wouldn't change them. I find the bleed quite straightforward with the kit and working on them is easy, pistons push back in with just your fingers or gentle pressure from a plastic tyre lever. I could never do that with other calipers and once you do get a good bleed, it'll hold for quite some time.
I intend to keep all these brakes for some time, they'll be moving from bike to bike whenever I may replace one.

 

[Bontee]

I run E4’s and once set up (and it takes a wee while) they have been perfect for 4 years ,Other than pad changes ,no maintenance and no squealing or pad rub at all.
My wife runs MT7 ‘s on her heckler and loves them.
I would say truthfully having both Hopes and MT7’s on our two main bikes I would ride either ,neither set lacks power ,the hopes have a bit more control/modulation,the MT’s a fraction more outright power which suits my wife as she has small hands and doesn’t get tired hands on long braking sections.I would be happy with either but reckon the hopes are more robust.
The hopes look better in our opinions ,but both sets are top notch.

 

[Just gan]

Ive used hope on last three bikes so for over 15 years and loved them , last 6 was on a levo. My new levo in April came with Sram Maven Bronze I think they are as good. There has been a lot more dry weather this year since I got this bike I must say. Be 1500 miles now and still on original pads and I haven't done any maintenance . Noisy when wet though. Hopes do look the part though.