Review: Hope's Race Evo E4 Disc Brakes are Beautifully Made, with Lovely Modulation
British company Hope has long been one of the a familiar disc brake brand in the mountain bike world. Its range is large and inclusive, but we’ve picked the stripped back Race Evo E4 to test here as it’s a brake that both appeals to cross-country, trail and enduro riders wanting a powerful brake that keeps the weight low.
Hope has long been a favored aftermarket brake, but with SRAM and Shimano brakes offering generally very good performance, and brands like TRP, Hayes and Magura upping their game, Hope probably isn’t the straightforward no-questions-asked upgrade it once was. All Hope brakes are still manufactured in Barnoldswick in the UK and the after-sales service is second to none, though.
Hope has long been a favored aftermarket brake, but with SRAM and Shimano brakes offering generally very good performance, and brands like TRP, Hayes and Magura upping their game, Hope probably isn’t the straightforward no-questions-asked upgrade it once was. All Hope brakes are still manufactured in Barnoldswick in the UK and the after-sales service is second to none, though.
Hope Race Evo E4 disc brakes
• One-piece CNC caliper
• Lightweight drilled alloy lever
• Titanium hardware
• Top entry pad fitting
• 140 to 205mm rotor sizes
• Wide-angle hose connector mount
• Machined in Barnoldswick, England
• Matchmaker compatible
• 227g (front, w/o rotor)
• MSRP: $290 USD (lever / caliper)
• More info: www.hopetech.com
• One-piece CNC caliper
• Lightweight drilled alloy lever
• Titanium hardware
• Top entry pad fitting
• 140 to 205mm rotor sizes
• Wide-angle hose connector mount
• Machined in Barnoldswick, England
• Matchmaker compatible
• 227g (front, w/o rotor)
• MSRP: $290 USD (lever / caliper)
• More info: www.hopetech.com
Compact machined front brake caliper.
Four pots for max power.
Design
The Race Evo brakes are all about saving weight without sacrificing braking performance. They’re aimed at cross-country riders wanting to increase their braking performance, or trail and enduro riders wanting to shave off a few grams. CNC machining is Hope’s bread and butter, the brake levers and calipers are exquisitely machined from aluminum. The quality of design and finish is very good; Hope has been honing this over a very long time.
The levers have a split clamp for easy installation and they’re MatchMaker compatible for neatly integrating shifter pods. The levers are ergonomically shaped and have holes drilled into the blades - a throwback to the 90s for anyone old enough to remember the scary era of extreme weight saving. One of the clear weight-saving measures is the removal of the tool-free bite point and reach adjustment on the front of the lever. This restricts the adjustment to just the lever reach via a small Allen tool, which is a bit of a compromise but trims weight. Also trimming weight is the use of titanium bolts.
At the other end of the hydraulic hoses, four 4x16mm phenolic pistons are incorporated into very compact and neatly designed brake calipers. It’s a post-mount interface and Hope provides a full range of adapters to suit all frame and fork designs and rotor sizes. The caliper is the same as used on the Tech 3 R4 enduro brake, the main difference being in the lever design. Pads are easily removed via top-entry, and it’s easy to visually asses the pad wear when you’re washing and servicing your bike.
You could use any disc rotors you want, but staying on brand I was supplied with a set of floating disc rotors. Hope offers standard, floating and vented. I paired a 200mm front rotor with a 180mm rear. There is a wide range of sizes to suit most bikes. The floating rotors have a steel brake surface riveted to an aluminum central carrier which is designed to better deal with changes in temperature. The vented rotors add internal fins to provide a claimed 15% reduction in heat buildup. The vented rotor only comes in a 203mm size.
Slick CNC machining and titanium bolts to save weight.
Floating rotor design in three sizes.
Installation
Installing the brakes was mostly straightforward, though getting the rear brake hose through my Stumpjumper Evo was far from the pain-free process I had hoped for and required more disassembly than I had expected. This meant I needed to bleed the brake, which I found to be a very easy process and nicely explained in one of the company’s tech videos. With brakes fitted and bedding in process completed, I got on with the task of testing them over several months on all my local trails, from all-day cross-country jaunts to downhill sessions.
The Hope Race Evo E4 disc fall into both cross-country and trail categories, and since I’ve been trying to trim my Stumpjumper EVO's weight a little I chose these brakes over a burlier option. I wanted to see if they provided adequate power for my needs while offering the low weight I also craved, a tricky balancing act for any component, not least the brakes.
Performance
After several months of testing, my last impression hasn’t changed from my very first ride impression. I’ve been more than happy with their performance and lack of issues. There’s plenty of power at the bite point with a very smooth and progressive lever feel, enough reach adjustment to dial them in to suit, and a lever shape that feels good in the finger. Brake feel is a very personal thing, we probably all have a preference for how a brake delivers its power. The Hope’s don’t have that stick-in-the-spokes power the moment your finger so much as graces the lever. Instead, there’s a very smooth and progressive build-up of power with a nice amount of lever travel, and a modulation that lets you apply the right amount of braking force in every situation. They have a clear bite point but it’s perhaps a little softer and later in the lever travel than some brakes where the bite point can come suddenly the moment your finger touches the lever.
Having the bite point come later in the travel makes braking very predictable and consistent. Some people might prefer the bite point to come much earlier in the lever travel, but if you want bags of silky-smooth modulation and control, the Hopes score highly.
There’s no lack of power when you fully grab a load of brake, though. On some of the gnarliest technical trails I rode, I had as much control as can be expected when you’re faced with roots the size of tree trunks and boulders causing tires to skitter around wildly. Any concerns that the weight-saving measures compromised the braking performance proved unfounded, there was no shortage of power when I got the Evo up and trucking. I was able to stop in an emergency, like that time I came into a corner a bit out of control and overshot it and had to pull on the anchors hard to avoid the big drop over the other side. I can see more aggressive riders probably running 200mm rotors front and rear, but I had no issues with brake fade. Perhaps if I was heading to the mountains or doing some serious bike park runs, I'd size up the rear rotor. For regular trail/enduro riding, it never caused complaint.
Reach adjustment - don't forget your multitool.
203mm is big enough right?
The lever shape is perfect for single-finger braking too, as is my preference for braking. Its perhaps a bit on the thin side and the hook at the edge could be a bit longer for really locking your finger into place. The four-piston calipers with the bigger front rotor provided plenty of confidence in high-speed situations. I quickly developed faith in the brakes to get me out of every sketchy situation I put myself in, whether intended or inadvertently. I found it easy to modulate the power, I was never unintentionally locking a wheel, it’s easy to feather in just the right amount of retardation for every situation.
The braking performance is consistent on longer runs with no hint of fade or lever drift. Granted, I don’t have any alpine descents to test the heating to the max, but on my longest runs, but I experienced no issues with heat. The four pistons help there compared to smaller two pot brakes. The lack of a bite point adjuster might be a deal-breaker for some - if you do want the bite point adjuster then it’s worth checking out the Tech 3 E4 brakes.
Over the long-term, I had no issues. The brakes occasionally emitted a bit of very low-level scrub/squeal sound, but during actual braking, they were quiet as a whisper. After several months of testing, the brake pads still have plenty of life left in them yet. I took a set of Code brakes off my bike to fit these Hopes, and I’ll be honest, I’m in no rush to swap them back over. I’m very happy with the Hope upgrade.
Would I buy these brakes? Yes, I probably would. There are undoubtedly cheaper options, but they’re made in the UK, the brakes are endlessly serviceable (I know many people running 10-year Hope brakes because they can still get spares for them) and Hope’s customer service is excellent. If you’re happy with the brakes on your bike there’s probably no reason to rush out and buy these, but if you want a brake with superb modulation and distinctive looks, then go check them out.
Takes me right back to my childhood...
Pros
+ Modulation
+ Easily serviceable
+ Lightweight
Cons
- You'll need to buy the Tech 3 E4 brakes for tool-free adjustment
- Expensive
Pinkbike's Take
 | The Hope Race Evo E4 brakes are beautifully made with superb power delivery and lovely modulation. Where the Hope brakes score highly for me is the control they offer. The power comes in a very consistent and predictable manner, with lever travel that feels natural and smooth to the bite point. The lever travel is light and I experienced no brake finger fatigue on longer runs. If you prefer easier adjustment, go for the Tech 3 E4 brakes, but otherwise the Evo E4’s are a top choice and perform brilliantly. |
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I'm also a bit confused about the reviewers claims that the brakes made a few noises but were silent in use? If they are making noises when you arent using them you have serious issues... I imagine that the culprit was either misaligned calipers or bent rotors. Neither of these issues should really be making it into the review as they are set-up issues not Hope issues.
A bit disappointing that the reviewer never got the brake hot but still commented on lack of fade. If it helps I can confirm that in extended steep terrain, the very similar V4 caliper will emit the occasional honk to let you know it is hot, but fade is minimal and they cool down quickly (or at least stop honking) after a few seconds of laying off the brakes.The V4 may perform better than the E4 here due to its wider caliper slot, I couldnt really say.
Lots of typos in the article.
Sorry to be a grumpy bastard.
That line got me. My cap is great for wearing on my head as well, as is my preference for hats.
It’s all in the name floating rotors there’s an expansion gap behind the rivets where there is a slight bit of play. Easy to knock them out of true but they will straighten again if your calliper and pistons are properly aligned with use.
Other than that, I suspect a lot of it is just urban legend. Some bro heard from his brahs or read here in the comments that Avid brakes suck, man. They don't stop. And that XTs suck, man. They have an inconsistent bite point. Hope sucks, man. Not enough power. So what's left? Magura? Suck. It all sucks. Except that just can't be true.
I’d recommend the 4-piston XTs I’ve been using for a year without incident, but I’ve heard those suck. I had great performance with my Avid Elixirs, but @cuban-b tells me we can all agree Avid sucks balls. (That and i don’t think they even make elixirs anymore).
Good luck out there!
I’m getting codes next week on my new bike (assuming yt gets their finger out and sends it) and I am eager to try them
Compared with Guide RCS I do have on another bike, using same brake pads (on hopes & guides), Guide have less power (desacellaration, needing more space for equal speed) & need special tools to bleed.
Brake feel is very personal, but would frankly swap out my RCS for a set of M4s
Water bottles are for beginners?
Please do explain?
This should be good.....
@freeridejerk888: I'm confused. Is "reliable as shit" good or bad?
Lol. As expected...a load of b0llocks
By that same stupid theory..
Hydration packs are for camels?!?
I ride with my trophy wife. She rides like a girl. None of the guys can ever keep up.
Nonetheless, the quadiem is a decent brake.
I had a lot of Shimano and Sram brakes before trying out the TRP G-Spec Slate 4.
At first I was disapointed by the lack of power.
I than switched to the green Swiss Stop pads which finally gave my the bite power I wanted from them at the start.
Other than that I love those brakes and the moto design looks so awesome.
They are still not as powerful like my Guide RSC or my Code R brakes, but the modulation is spot on for trail riding.
On the other hand the Codes (and some other brands like Trickstuff/Hayes I believe) have plenty of modulation BUT the power totally ramps up. There is no sacrifice unless you need super power like MT7's on a DH bike. Its nice not to have to compromise and that is the ideal for a modern AllMtn brake imo.
Also, watch the exchange rate with this Brexit stuff, you can get them for a steal when the politician play their games and sink the GBP.
You don't wank around with adjustments during a competition, you don't want an adjuster that can get turned or broken. Lets be honest here, who here has BPC knob turned anywhere else but all the way to shortest free travel? That's where Race lever sits all the time (information given by Hope but missing from review). Missing the adjustment is not a negative, it's a positive that you have an option to have adjustment or not.
Real negative is that the calipers are made without regard of any compatibility to frames or mounts. Obviously some blame to frame manufacturers not considering this. Personally I like that they make the brakes just the way they feel they should be made, but for someone considering buying them, it would be valuable information to know they should really check if the caliper fits the frame.
Imagine dishing out £400 for new brakes only to realize you need to buy 200mm disc because caliper doesn't fit in 180mm position, only to then realize that with 200mm disc it collides from the other end to your frame, it's getting dark and you sit in garage with a file in your hand, considering is is the frame or the caliper that gets it.. (luckily it was only 2mm wedge from caliper mount that needed to go away. Meta AM 4.2 frame)
Instead a clear flaw of Hope levers is that the edges while beautifully finished, are still pretty sharp cornered. Sometimes I bang my thumb to the clamp while going for the shifter in rough terrain, certainly Hope clamp makes that more painful than others.
Really no cons, because "race" brakes often have less adjustment in the name of weight, and the price really isn't crazy when you're talking about brakes that just work and never need thinking about, beyond "it's been a while, probably need new pads and\or rotor soon".
Bottom line I see no clear decisive advantage to either and wouldn't base my brake buying decision solely on the fluid used, even though I sightly prefer mineral fluid.
Not comparing these to something we know makes this review hollow.
Water and mineral oil don't mix so your boiling point is the one of water (once water is on the system) so 100degC.
Water and Dot do mix, boiling point becomes the one specified as wet boiling point. Never as low as water thought.
Of course some comparison is useful! But seriously, Hopes are in another ballpark: solid feel, great modulation, longevity, ease of maintenance (bleed just like a motorcycle/car: just need a piece of hose and a bottle, maybe a small syringe to make it easier to stay clean when topping off the reservoir, but you can just pour it in if you want!), even mixing and matching parts (all Hope levers can be used with all calipers for prioritizing weight, power, cooling, etc).
I tried everything from new pads, rotors, exhaustive cleaning, bedding, everything; just couldn't get them working. At the time when I'd done some reading, it wasn't an uncommon problem.
Have they truly fixed the issue, or does the bling & price have people overlooking the power shortage?
I had the E4s on my touring tandem. They did fade badly. That was with 450 lbs on a bike that can go 45 MPH. I switched to the V4s. They do not fade.
While the Saints aren't perfect (you get the odd lever feel inconsistency), they're proven, easy to service, reliable, and don't fade. I wish I'd just gone with them first (they were also half the price of the Hopes).
Bite point never moves, fad can happen on short period if you drag the lever for too long, but overall extremely satisfied with it, would not buy anything else. Got MT4 on another bike, more power but also a lot more reliability issues ;(
You should not displace more oil from the lever to the caliper to have more power, you should just increase the pressure.
While driving, I want a firm pedal that I modulate with the pressure. When the ABS kicks in and the pedal move a little bit down, I get apprehensive. Is everything ok? Is the brake working properly? I know it is, but I always think this.
Same with bike brakes. If I'm dragging and I want to lock it up, I want to apply pressure. I really hate if the lever moves.
I know many other people said that, but I wouldn't recommend using brakes with this kind of description, they just look like TRP's (or the opposite, trp looking like these), and even the levers are annoying, it looks like it's made for two fingers, but who ride with two fingers?
Both of hope brakes or trp brakes cannot compare to Shimano, and wouldn't recommend using them as long as they don't change levers and intensity of braking.