Hope Mono Mini's or Shimmy XT's? Opinions please...

a_harris

Managed to score a set of each of these s/h, one of which will be finding a new home on my old Santa Cruz Heckler. Currently run Julies (180/160, wavy rotors) and they've been fine, just fancied something a bit more refined, smaller, lighter but at no cost to power.

Bought the XT's (160/160) for what I thought was a great price, then the Hope's (160/140) came up for an even greater price (you know how it is!) so I now have two sets on their way to me. I'll probably have a ride round Bedgebury on both sets, chose which ones I want to keep and then whack the others back on one of the boards. Problem is, It will only be a very short test. What are other peoples long term opinions on either or both of the above brakes?

FYI bike is set up more towards the light/XC end of the spectrum (dual air Revs, PUSHed Fox Float RL, Crossrides w/Fire XC Pro's, Raceface Evolve XC stem/post, EA70 Monkeybars, XT/LX etc...) and I'm about 13 stone. Cheers

Langers

No expeience of the XTs but the Hope brakes are really good.

stumpyjon

I'm the opposite, no experience of the Hopes but like my XT's. The way I have them setup they are nice and firm, prefer them to the Juicy 7s on my other bike.

a_harris

Thanks for the feedback so far - what rotors are you guys running? I'm worried about power/fade/heat issues going from 180/160 to either 160 f & r (XT's) or 160/140 (Hopes).

paulf2007

have had both makes of brakes and beside my six pots I'd go with shimano. Had no issues with shimano brakes whatsoever. had problems with hope pistons not returning on mono's. Beginning to think hope have lost their advantage over the other makers. Also have avid juicy carbons, had for one year and not even looked at them.

a_harris

Got my paws on the Mono Mini's first. Fitting was a breeze - relieved the hoses were long enough - got them set up with little/no drag on the disc's with minimal hassle. However, the front lever seems to have a lot of travel which is great for modulation but I'm a little worried about power.I should reserve judgement on this issue as I haven't bled the brakes (although the guy I bought them off said he just had) and maybe it'd be less pronounced with a fresh set of pads. The other issue is the levers are bl**dy squeaky even after a good spray of GT85. First impressions are that my Julies were better than these but I spent a while setting them up so I'll get the front bled and get some new pads and see how they feel then...

Be interested to try out the XT's hen they arrive...

a_harris

In case anyone else is thinking about this choice, after playing around with both sets I'd say the XT's are just about better overall and would be easier to ive with. The Hopes are lighter/more compact and look a bit neater due to mounting straight onto the IS mounts but the XT's IS to post adapter makes setting them up so much quicker, easier and effective - no messing about with shims! The Hopes have good modulation but the XT's feels a bit firmer and direct. Oh, and changing pads is easier on the XT's. OK - of course Hopes are quite bling and UK made.

Bear in mind that my sets were second hand. Decided to keep them both though and mounted one set on my bros' bike, that way I can change over if I feel like it!

The Spiderman

I have had XTs on my bike for a couple of years now.Not bling,not flash,and not as powerful as some but fit and forget.