Hope Pro 2 rear

Norco_Hucker
Norco_Hucker Posts: 170
edited August 2007 in MTB buying advice
Is it really worth the £110 on CRC??? I'm thinking of getting it for greater wheel strength (got a deore atm) + I've got a Pro 2 front and I can just feel the difference (stiffness)!!!
GREEN MACHINE

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Deore is probably stronger, bombproof hubs they are! I personally dont think the Pro2 rear is worth it. Its light, and the changeabilty is good, but XTR is lighter (and stronger - the angular bearings can take more loading) and the QR skewers and freehub much better. If its ultimate strength you want and weight isnt an issue I would go with a saint or a DH specific hub. A machined alloy shell with cheap pressed in cartridge bearings not worth 110 quid IMHO, and the freehub needs servicing more than top end shimano hubs ever did...
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  • Sir HC
    Sir HC Posts: 20,148
    supersonic

    Hope Pro II's are intended to take the abuse of DH/Freeride/Jumping. Saint hubs require you to use Saint rotors, which adds extra cost. Pressed in sealed bearings are also a darn site easier to maintain and replace.
    Intense Socom
    Inbred
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Its the fact they are radial bearings that to me dont make much sense for a heavy duty hub. Angular contact bearings can simply take more side loading, last longer, run smoother and operate better under load. Hope had quite a few bearing failures reported last year. They arent even stainless steel. Other top end hubs like Hadley, Mavic and CK all use bearings that are designed to cope with the full stresses placed on them, in CKs case a needle roller bearing too, Mavic uses an adjustable cartridge, but is angular contact. Shimano of course use the traditional loose cup and cone - easy to service and cheap to do so. Add to that the soft freehub body of a pro2 that is prone to gouging as its aluminium rather than titanium or steel, and durabilty becomes an issue. I am not saying its a bad hub - just too much money for what is it!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • Norco_Hucker
    Norco_Hucker Posts: 170
    Well, my rear at the moment is actually a Shimano FH - M475, dunno what difference that makes? I was just thinking of getting the Hope for strength, cause I see/hear tem on alot of dh/fr bikes, so I just assumed that they must be pretty reliable and strong?!?! and it has some good reveiws!
    GREEN MACHINE
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The 475 is Shimanos budget disc hub, and is seen on a lot of bikes as it is very tough (inc 2000 plus Konas!). However, the quality of the internals is not the same as LX or XT, so they require servicing more often. I doubt the hub will break under normal usage, I use them on my Ruckus, have taken a hell of a beating. Pro2 will save yuo 150g in weight - I'd just thrash the 475, then think about upgrading if it breaks!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    hubs have very little effect on the strength of a wheel. it is all in the build.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Norco_Hucker
    Norco_Hucker Posts: 170
    hhhmmm, that's what I was thinking of doing, wait till it breakes, then get a Pro 2!!! Cheers for your help :D
    GREEN MACHINE

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