Hope disc brakes queries - any experts out there please?

FalconRider

Hi there,

I'm quite new to this MTB game but have embarked upon a bike-build from scratch.

The frame I'm using is a Whyte 46 (2007) to be fitted with a set of Fox Van 36 forks.

I have purchased the following Hope set of disc brakes - unused but manufactured in late 2004:

Mono M4 Front No. 8 - 200mm fixed disc

Mono M4 Rear No. 8 - 180mm fixed disc

Can any specialist out there answer the following three questions please?

1. Hope appear to be phasing out their 200mm/180mm disc rotors and replacing them with 203mm/183mm disc rotors - is this correct please?

2. Will my Mono M4 No. 8 calipers accept 203mm and 183mm floating discs please?

3. If so, which two Hope Adaptor Mounting Brackets do I need to purchase to fit the calipers to the forks and frame detailed above.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

FalconRider

nicklouse

a No 8 Hope calliper is 205 front and 185 rear.

FalconRider

Thanks for your quick response.

However, your statement doesn't seem to accord with what Hope states on the outside of their presentation boxes which I have right in front of me - exact copy below:

Mono M4 FRONT No. 8 - 200mm, 6 bolt

Mono M4 REAR No. 8 - 180mm, 6 bolt

Or on the HopeTech.com website - exact copy related to M4 Mono copied below:

Description : The only one-piece, four piston caliper available in the bike world offers you additional power with super rigid caliper and solid lever feel. It uses the Mini lever with a fixed caliper housing four opposing pistons. Caliper pistons are now made from phenolic to isolate the caliper from the heat generated in the pads. An open system allows for automatic pad wear adjustment and enables the brake to handle the highest temperatures without “pump-up”.

System type: Open
Lever type: Mini lever
Caliper No.'s: 3, 8 & 974
Standard Disc: 160, 180, 200 & 203
Weight: 430g (inc. lever, hose, 180mm disc, caliper, pads, fluid & all fixing bolts)

No mention of either 205mm or 185mm!!

I'd be grateful if someone else could answer my original questions.

Thanks

FalconRider[/b]

nicklouse

Missed the mono bit

but IIRC i ran 203mm in my old Mono M4's

ThreeFish

1. Hope appear to be phasing out their 200mm/180mm disc rotors and replacing them with 203mm/183mm disc rotors - is this correct please?

It would appear so, yes. The current line-up of Mini/M4 brakes are PM (with the exception of the Mono Pro) and use 160mm, 183mm or 203mm rotors. 200mm and 180mm rotors are still available, check out Chain Reaction Cycles or Wiggle.

2. Will my Mono M4 No. 8 calipers accept 203mm and 183mm floating discs please?

I'm going to say no. As you know, the No.8 is for 200mm-F/180mm-R, so they may physically fit, just, inside the caliper aperture, but the pads will be contacting with a relatively large amount of the rotor arm. The brake will still work, but you may find that you get vibration at the lever from the pads conracting the rotor arms. Unwanted noise is another possibility. I also have to wonder if the rotor might contact the pad pin or spring.

Best bet is to call Hope directly.

3. If so, which two Hope Adaptor Mounting Brackets do I need to purchase to fit the calipers to the forks and frame detailed above.

Your calipers are IS mount, so you won't be needing/using adaptors. If your Fox is Post Mount, you're going to need a PM to IS adaptor, HBSM20H, and up your rotor to a 220mm, which, I believe, is only available as a floating rotor.[/i]

FalconRider

Many thanks ThreeFish!

Very grateful for your carefully considered reply.

Best regards,

FalconRider

PS. Great avatar you've got there!

Splasher

180 and 200mm floating rotors are available if you prefer floating rotors.

FalconRider

Hi Splasher

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply.

I can find 180mm floating rotors but the 200mm seem to have been discontinued - eg. not available on Wiggle or ChainReaction.

The fact that I couldn't seem to find any Hope floating rotors in the 200mm size was the only reason why I was exploring the 203mm route.

However, I'm hoping you could perhaps point me in the direction of a dealer with Hope 200mm floaters in stock please?

FalconRider

Splasher

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/hope-floating-rot ... 286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hope-Floating-Dis ... .m20.l1116

http://www.life-cycles.co.uk/product.as ... 2&c=254022

FalconRider

Thanks again Splasher,

Silly me, I failed to mention that I'm only interested in the saw-tooth type floating rotor.

The retail link you posted is (like all the rest I've found) only offering the smooth (non saw-tooth) rotors.

I feel sure that Hope have discontinued the 200mm saw-tooth range though it's hard to be sure.

Hope's own website is useless, it has four separate links to their alleged rotors but none of them lead anywhere - and it's been like this for at least the last three months.

One of the e-Bay item is of interest (thanks), though I'm really seeking a new or near item set of rotors.

Thanks again for your efforts,

FalconRider

ThreeFish

"I feel sure that Hope have discontinued the 200mm saw-tooth range though it's hard to be sure."

It's not a matter of being discontinued; Hope didn't/don't make the saw-tooth rotors in 180mm or 200mm because they were introduced along with the 2007 range of Mono Minis and M4s, which, as per my previous post, were PM calipers and adaptors for 183mm and 203mm rotors.

FalconRider

Thanks again but ..........

Wiggle is currently offering Hope 180mm floating saw tooth rotors - see:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Hope_ ... 360029666/

And Splasher kindly put me on to a secondhand Hope 200mm floating saw tooth rotor - see

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/hope-floating-rot ... 286.c0.m14

So I think there's pretty good evidence to confirm that Hope made floating saw tooths in both these sizes (180mm and 200mm) but I can't find any dealers who are still able to supply the 200mm rotor.

I'm aiming to call Hope tomorrow to find out exactly what they still offering and to also encourage them to sort out their website.

Best regards,

FalconRider

ThreeFish

I stand corrected, beg your pardon.

13ADL1X

I had exact same issue so recently emailed Hope.
I was looking for a 180mm floating saw rotor but couldn't find it online anywhere.

Hope told me that they do make them but you have to get your LBS to order them and they can be dispatched within a day. I'm sure the same would apply to 203mm.

Cheers