2009 Hope Tech M4 Brakes in for Review
Component Reviews, Reviews | 198 | March 4, 2009 at 8:21 amFinal Review of the Hope Tech M4 Hydraulic Brakes for Mountain Bikes can be found by clicking here.
Hope Tech just sent in the all new for 2009 Hope Tech M4’s in for review. So what is new for these brakes in 2009?
From Hopetechusa.com
M4 Levers
New! Ambidextrous ‘flip flop’ design, CNC machined from a solid billet of 2014 T6 aircraft spec aluminum alloy – with a split clamp to allow easy set up and choice of positioning.
New! Redesigned piston, lever and pivot assembly with external ‘on the fly’ reach and bite point adjustment dials. The new lever linkage eliminates free play in the lever giving a consistent and reliable feel to the brake. Further developments include bearing lever pivots for smooth, rock free use and increased lever ergonomics with a perforated lever for extra grip and feel. Also, a double sided reservoir lid makes for easy bleeding. The master cylinder assembly is completed with our durable anodized finish to withstand weather, cleaning and general trail use and a choice of either hi tensile polyester reinforced or Goodridge stainless steel braided hose to give a sharp, solid feel to the system.
M4 Caliper
NEW! Revised one piece caliper, CNC machined from a solid billet of 2014 T6 aircraft spec aluminum alloy. The M4 caliper has been developed for 09’, primarily the two piston sizes have now become the same 16mm diameter (as opposed to a small and a large) which gives more usable power to the brake. A drip free bleed nipple and wide angel orientation of the fluid inlet connector have also been added, allowing for neater hose routing and cleaner servicing.The unit is completed with our durable anodized finish to withstand weather, cleaning and general trail use and laser etched graphics. A hi-tensile polyester reinforced hydraulic hose is used to give a sharp, solid feel to the system. (Goodridge braided hose option also available)
MEDIA: The M4 caliper has been used by Team MBUK/Bike Radar’s Marc Beaumont to win World Cup DH rounds, as well as ‘Joe Average’ on his weekend thrash in the woods – making this one of the most versatile brakes in the range.]
MTB by 198 Test Hope Tech M4 Brakes
The specific model brakes that Hope Tech sent over uses the 183mm floating rotor and hi-tensile polyester reinforced hydraulic hose. The 183mm diameter makes them more adaptable to different bike configurations and the floating rotor (aluminum inner spider) cuts down on the rotor weight.
Out of the box, the Hope Tech M4’s are impressive. The aluminum machining and finish on this set is unlike anything else on the market right now. I am going to throw these brakes on several different sleds to really get a feel how they perform in different trail conditions. They are going to hit the Niner Jet 9 first and then it is time for the heavy bikes! Stay tuned to see the results…
Actual Weights Using an Ultimate Digital Alpine Scale
- Front Brake Caliper/Lever/Line – 270g
- Rear Brake Caliper/Lever/Line – 280g
- 183mm Hope Floating Rotor – 140g
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Tags: 4 piston bike brakes, hope floating rotor, hope tech m4, hydraulic brakes for mountain bikes, mountain bike brake review, mtb brake review
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Thes could be my next set of brakes, they look like the real deal….
Robb let us know if they are the real deal…
They appear to be the real deal…
If the improvements on these brakes function as claimed…they should be an impressive set. I have owned both of the previous generation M4’s…so this could get interesting.
Guess you’ll have to stay tuned!
So far you have made me buy my new shocks and now it looks like I have a new set of brakes I have to get. Nice work, ha ha…no seriously, nice work. Always good info here.
@Paulo
If your married…use me as your excuse! Thanks for the support…the brakes were installed on the Jet 9 for the weekend tonight. A little bit of bleeding and they are set. Updates to come as always…
I’m running the Stroker Trails right now on my Nomad and think I’ll be OK with the X2s, so I can’t wait to read your review on this on this. I think your review will be my deciding factor on the X2 vs M4s.
TD,
I’ve used this set of brakes (Tech M4) for the first time last 3 Week Ends. Must say they are outstanding.
Do not think, get them.
Ciao
On a Nomad…I would go with the M4’s. There is minimal weight penalty and you get more breaking power for longer runs. The Nomad can do a lot of things really well and you want a brake that can be put in a lot of different situations. I would reserve the X2 for XC rigs.
Done. M4s are on the way. Thanks for the input!!
@TD
Report back when you get them in!
Got the M4s a while back and they’ve been on my Nomad for a few months now. I’m running them with the not floating rotors since I’ve read about some clearance issues the Chris King 20mm hubs and Fox Talas 36. Good thing I did, things look a little tight. Coming off of the stock Juicy 7s, then to the Stroker Trails, these Hope brakes are STRONG. They’re great, but a little grabby even with the 183 front and 160 rear set up. The levers feel great, but body is little bulky compared to the Strokers. I’m running them with the Avid Matchmakers and they work fine till Hope brings out their direct mount system.
I’m happy overall with them but I’m wondering if I jacked anything up while loosening up the banjo during installing. A little bit of the brake fluid leaked and I hope no air got into the system. When braking with one finger, the levers pull pretty close to my grips. I’ve adjusted both the contact and lever reach but it’s still pretty much the same. Could be my short fingers, but I wonder if any of you guys have the same issue?
Looking forward to your review.
TD…sounds like you got a little air in the lines. You shouldn’t be able to bring it all the way to the bar like that.
The clearance issue is pretty much with any hub and Fox post mounts. I have the same problem on the Fox 36’s I have. Fox tends to run their post mounts on their fork lowers a little more inboard than the others. I am not sure why.
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Sh8te! Here’s comes another weekend project. I guess I’ll check in to give better input once we’re all sorted.
Having fitted Mono M4’s 180 to the front of my dear old Cannondale Super V 1000 (needed new forks) then purchased Tech M4’s 160 for the rear & installed them with some slight difficulty..had to manufacture IS mounting..they are just wonderful..
Suppose anything would be wonderful after the standard rim system…
@Geoff Harris
Great to hear! Have a pic of the setup?
Who (email address)& how do we send picture…of which we have a number..
Was absolutly set on getting new Avid codes when I woke up, Damn!! Now it looks like i’m off to get the M4’s instead. Just hope they are as good as the codes have been!
Well, fitting the M4’s was a doddle, slight set up problems on the front, caliper is running on the disc(after setting, which is a bit confusing to say the least!) – shouldn’t take too long to rectify tomorrow. Initially, stopping power seems down on the Code’s, ill bed them in soon and see what happens.
@Aldo
Report back after you get them bedded in. Technically, the M4’s would be more on par (actually a little stronger) with the Elixir’s. The Avid Codes would compare to the Hope Moto’s. I have found the Avid Code brakes to be very on/off feeling with little modulation. The M4’s should modulate much better, giving you more control with your brakes.
Let us know how it goes!
Hi there.
I have ordered the new M4, but now I have second doubts. I hear a lot of people saying that M4’s are having trouble with overheating. I am now driving XT M775’s for Downhill racing, and I am not satisfied with power of these brakes. So i need opinion are M4’s better?
And second question is does floating rotors increase breaking power or not?
@ Bero
That is the first I have ever heard of Hope’s overheating. The aluminum spider gives you a lighter rotor that sheds heat faster. Aluminum sheds heat up to 5 times as fast as regular steel. One could argue that the aluminum would give you better braking over the long runs due to the decreased heat…but that is not really measurable. I consider the M4’s to be a superior brake over the XT’s. Shimano does a great job with braking…but Hope does it better.
Thank you for the answer, I will wait for my M4’s to come and add a review after test ride.
@ Bero
Anytime Bero! Hit us back up after you get some ride time in.
Got them 4 days ago, absolutely the best brake ever. Stopping power is amazing, you can modulate it very nice. You can’t overheat them. Installing is a little bit heavy, but when you put it once, you have no problems with it. The lever has holes in it for the best grip ever. And the weight?? Absolutly the lithest brake on the market. 240g without rotor and adapter.
You can see first driving and testing over here: http://www.vimeo.com/4110035
And photo of the whole bike here: http://img22.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img4831s.jpg
Hi, so how are the new M4’s, i’m about to order them and I’m wondering if they are really so good i mean if they are better than jucy7 ultimate.
@ greg
Absolutely. The Ultimates are really just dressed up 7’s.
I’ve just installed Tech M4s to replace some old C2s on my Cover Hummer with new DT Swiss XMC forks. I’m struggling with the front – the brake is binding on the disc, even with the bite point adjuster wound all the way out. It seems that the hydraulic system was overfilled during manufacture and I will have to bleed the brakes to increase clearance. Am I missing something?
Robb:
So far which is better: the Avid Elixir CR’s or the Hope M4’s ?
I have a set of those “dressed up” Juicy 7’s and I’m REALLY getting tired of the “on/off” feel and the constant bleeding….
So far…Hope M4’s are better but a lot more expensive. The deals they are running on the CR’s at JensonUSA right now are fantastic. So it really depends on your budget.
i have juicy 3s which suck balls on my hardtail cannondale f4 which is fully carbon out all the way up to my fizik seat but im really having issues with my breaks in wet weather and fast trail ridin im thinkin about puttin the M4s on there i weigh about 200lbs and i beat the hell out of my bike like a bmx rider. do u think its worth it. thanks guys
TD…Shoot me an email if you run into anything.