Hope Tech X2 or XTR Front Disc?

EarlofBarnet

I recently picked up a second-hand M975 XTR Rear disc brake for my Enduro. I've sold a few bits and can now afford to buy a new front brake of similar quality. There doesn't appear to be and second-hand XTR front discs for sale at the moment, so I'm looking to buy new. Do I go for a matching M975 front brake or do I get something like a Hope X2?

I really like the XTR rear brake. It's light and does the job nicely. But I've had Hope brakes in the past and also really liked them.

Any thoughts? Currently edging down the XTR route so I have a matching pair. I can get both for essentially the same price, so price isn't really a factor.

Thanks in advance, Matt

Bnewsom

What did you do in the end? I came to this thread looking for answers myself, I have a similar problem. Currently have full Sram XX on my Superlight but the front brake keeps losing pressure and I think it's best to replace it. I want something of a similar quality but more reliable then the Sram (Avid) XX. I was thinking XTR but some one has suggested Hope X2. So my question is - is mixing a good or a bad idea?

cooldad

I think this thread died years ago, but I would take Shimano over Hope any day.

Giraffoto

Bnewsom wrote:

So my question is - is mixing a good or a bad idea?

Bad idea: you need two different types of pad, two bleed kits, two sets of instructions etc.

Good idea: you get to choose exactly the sort of braking you prefer for the front and the back, assuming you're sensitive enough to have a preference

Doesn't matter much: it's not like you use them both with the same hand, so you won't get caught out by the difference

Only matters to bike tarts: Different levers left and right, different calipers fore and aft, different coloured hoses

Bnewsom

Thanks, that's very helpful and fortunately I'm not too much of a bike tart so mixing things up doesn't bother me so long as it stops the bike when I want it to!

While searching I've seen levers and calipers a available separately and this has led me to wonder can these be mixed?
Knowing this wont help of course unless I know which part to switch but suppose I bought a Hope or Shimano calipers to see if if cures things and if not then replace the lever too. Or is is all just folly since the Sram levers wouldn't be compatible anyway?

Thanks for the help.

cooldad

Possibly but probably not.

The Rookie

To mix, firstly fluids must be compatable, secondly the piston sizes must match to get the right 'power'.....Shimano stuff all uses near enough the same sizes and you can mix any Shimano lever with any caliper (from Mx65 onwards anyway).

Tom Barton

I personally wouldn't mix different levers with pistons - sounds like problems waiting to happen unless your a very competent bike mechanic who can strip it all down to find the problem if it doesn't play right for you. As said already - different brakes front and back is fine if your not fussy about it but persoanlly I feel mixing parts on the same brake is a headache waiting to happen!