Hope's HB.211 Enduro Racer Nears Production - Whistler Crankworx 2016

Aug 21, 2016
by Richard Cunningham  

Hope HB.211 Enduro 2016
This HB.211 belongs to Hope Production Coordinator Woody Hole, who earned second place behind Brian Lopes in the EWS enduro master's class at Whistler.

Hope's HB.211 project began as an experiment, a creation of the company's co-founder, the late Simon Sharp, who used Hope's extensive component manufacturing capabilities to literally, reconfigure the entire chassis and drivetrain layout of the contemporary mountain bike. Originally conceived as a demonstration project to build better-performing trailbikes for Hope's staffers, the HB.211 was not intended to be mass-produced, but that may change soon. Seven of the 160-millimeter-travel, 27.5-inch-wheel chassis have been produced to date, and both performance and handling have exceeded Hope's expectations. As a result, molds for two sizes (large and X-large) exist, and a medium-size frame is in the works. For Hope fans, that is excellent news. Dare we say, that the HB.211 is headed for serial production in the very near future?

Hope HB.211 Enduro 2016
No front derailleur makes for a wider, stiffer bottom bracket area, and reduces the need for exaggerated asymmetric chainstays, which are heavier and more flexible.

The HB.211 chassis revolves around a beautiful carbon front section which is laid up and molded at Hope's factory. The Horst Link type rear suspension is constructed largely from CNC-machined aluminum, and drives an Ohlins coil-over shock. To reduce the width of the swingarm and increase stiffness, Hope breaks with the Boost-hub tradition, using an offset swingarm (Cannondale does this also) to produce a zero-dish rear wheel with a 130-millimeter-wide hub. There is no provision for a front mech' and its 11-speed Hope-made 10 by 44-tooth cassette spins on a special freehub body. There are reasons for this.

Hope HB.211 Enduro 2016
Hope's 130-millimeter, zero-offset hub. The swingarm is offset to align the hub flanges with the centerline of the frame.

Hope HB.211 Enduro 2016
HB.211 bikes feature Hope's 11-speed cassettes and stiffer, 14-millimeter aluminum axles.
Hope HB.211 Enduro 2016
Hope's Boost-width crankset provides a perfect chain line. The top-guide is also made by Hope.

Hope HB.211 Enduro 2016
"Stunning" is an apt descriptor for the HB.211's carbon construction. The finish is left as-molded.


The premise of the HB.211 was to ignore convention where alternative designs could produce lighter, stronger, or better performing parts. As a result, its flush-mount headset, rear hub, cassette, crankset, rear axle, and its rear-wheel construction, are incompatible with off-the-shelf components from other makers. The potential benefits of such heresy is that Hope was freed to optimize key drivetrain components with the frame's design, similar to how high-performance motorcycles are manufactured. Hope then finishes off the HB.211 build with a busload of its own components including its new super-wide Tech 35W aluminum rims. If you want the whole story, check out Pinkbike's First Look of the HB.211 that Mike Levy posted from the Sea Otter Classic this year for an in-depth description of the project.
Hope HB.211 Enduro 2016
Hope's 35-millimeter-width aluminum rims are a privateer's dream. Durable, lightweight, and you can pound them back into shape should you bash them midway through an enduro race.


MENTIONS: @hopetech





Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

131 Comments
  • 199 1
 I hope its affordable.
  • 35 2
 It won't ^^
  • 16 9
 I hope it's long low and slack
  • 104 3
 I hope it desends like a DH bike but climbs like a trail bike, imagine some one made a bike like that they would be all the rage.
  • 12 147
flag RockDrop72 (Aug 21, 2016 at 11:26) (Below Threshold)
 @bigburd: It's called the 2017 Specialized Enduro 29...
  • 22 3
 @bigburd: lol this guy gets it.
  • 52 0
 Made in the UK, ohlins suspension, hope spec, carbon fibre front triangle. Of course it's going to be dirt cheap Wink
  • 20 0
 @medievalbiking: 6-7k ish is what I've heard from a few of the lads at Hope. TBH it doesn't matter what it costs, it's going to sell faster than it descends (DAMN FAST!!)
  • 9 58
flag richierocket (Aug 21, 2016 at 17:21) (Below Threshold)
 @blahblahbikes: But its just so darn ugly though.
  • 128 3
 @richierocket: what breed of guide dog do you have?
  • 68 1
 @bigburd: I'm holding out for a bike that climbs like a BMX but descends like a recumbent.
  • 2 9
flag mxmtb (Aug 21, 2016 at 20:47) (Below Threshold)
 @medievalbiking:

Animal abuse
  • 3 7
flag shakeyakey (Aug 22, 2016 at 2:32) (Below Threshold)
 I hope it's quiet
  • 2 8
flag bowski123 (Aug 23, 2016 at 4:05) (Below Threshold)
 @bigburd: SPESH HAVE THE ENDURO
  • 113 0
 Episode HB 2.11 A new hope
  • 123 1
 It's a nice break from the norm in new bike releases: "Attack of the Clones"
  • 57 0
 Made in Britain. I guess you could say... The Empire Strikes Back.
  • 16 0
 @stovechunin: underrated comment
  • 44 0
 I find it interesting that the only piece of new technology on this bike went unmentioned: the Radial mounted rear brake. Something that should be an industry wide standard because it would make mounting the caliper with any rotor size easy with a few simple spacers.
  • 4 1
 Yep I agree,awesome work there,better braking performance. The rear end itĹ› very similar to the Cannondale Jekyll rear end,similar pivot configuration we saw in jerome Clementz bike. 0 dish wheel make a lot of sense to me.
  • 14 1
 @homerjm: It's ridiculous that the bike industry ended up with boost and superboost instead of 0 dish 142mm rear wheels. Using either offset rear ends or offset rims makes way more sense.
  • 4 0
 @grgsmith: Yeah Doug Bradbury / Manitou had 145mm dishless rear wheels circa 1989, and still people are fecking about with different hub spacing and making tiny changes. The whole thing is laughable...

i.ytimg.com/vi/8Qigr3ZheKM/maxresdefault.jpg
  • 32 3
 New standards for the sake of improvement instead of incremental marketing..... ok, this gives me hope.
  • 11 15
flag tempest3070 (Aug 21, 2016 at 10:19) (Below Threshold)
 Do you really thing there's any other engineering reason to re-tool your production line? Hope engineers obviously are smart, but it's a pretty brainless disservice to the talent at other bike companies to assume that Hope's proprietary reasons for building this bike are any different than Specialized or Trek producing non-standard frames or parts for performance reasons.
  • 18 0
 @tempest3070: Trek, Giant, Specialized etc are all more than capable at refining their designs but need to keep to fairly standard parts as they are a mass sale product - Hope wont be looking to sell anywhere near the same numbers and will be priced much higher so can be a bit more inventive without the same penalties.
  • 9 0
 @Racer951: Plus they can, and do, make whatever they want/need in house as soon as they need it for almost no cost - not many manufacturers can do this. If they want to try a new standard, they just make it, no need to use what's available. If it works, it's not a problem to spec it on the bike as they can just make it when they make everything else for the bike. Case in point - most frame manufacturers have their molds for carbon frames made externally at an extortionate cost - R and D is therefore long and costly, and most experiments with frames and prototypes appear as alloy long before the carbon version arrives as the company doesn't want to commit the massive money and time to getting a carbon mold made (think recent shots of Gee on a new, alloy, Session frame). Hope wanted to play with frames, so they made some molds.
  • 1 1
 I see what you did there...
  • 15 0
 Hope are obviously not just in it for the money. If they were, they wouldn't make excellent hubs for very reasonable prices. Parts that not only last for years, but are fully supported with parts backup for decades. You only have to watch their videos to see the management is a bunch of old northern blokes who remember the days before the disposable consumer culture. Reminds me of my dad. If it ain't broke kind of guys.
  • 4 0
 @jaame: spot on, money spent on Hope gear feels like more of an investment than an expense.
  • 23 2
 Woody hole. Lol.
  • 17 1
 @hopetech: there is no info about the 35W rims on your website and I would like to know more about their price, weight, material and availability. Thanks!
  • 16 1
 Aww imagine a Hope bike with all Hope components! Dream build!
  • 5 1
 Hopey Slopey Cokey
  • 9 0
 all we need now is a hope mech an shifter
  • 16 2
 now Chris King needs to build a bike
  • 7 0
 That would be a bike only a King could afford
  • 12 0
 Now make a dh bike for Brayton!
  • 12 0
 I like the fully machined chain stays. So sick
  • 6 1
 It looks cool, but why the heck is a tube not good enough? You'd think a tube would be lighter for the same strength, not to mention less time-consuming and expensive to manufacture...although cost doesn't seem to have been a design constraint...
  • 1 0
 @ryetoast: I would guess that it's cheaper/easier for low production "concept bikes". It's also a great way to show off machining capabilities
  • 4 0
 or if you dont have air/hydro form tech in house
  • 8 0
 I dont think Hope are looking for this to be a bike sold in ultra high numbers, it will likely be expensive and sold with required parts at a minimum or a full build. With the amount of standards, boost, superboost, etc its always going to be difficult to get spares quickly for many bikes without going mail order and hope are one of the best when it comes to customer service and spare parts. Its a high end boutique bike and the Hope fanboys will que up for it I am sure, I love hope brakes and hubs but wont be in line for the bike, Im not rich enough....
  • 7 4
 130mm hub 14mm axle more dimensions, not standards
  • 3 1
 @vhdh666: standards are only dimensions though are they not. I am sure you get idea, no?
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: yes I have an idea, did some standardization stuff for work :-)
  • 2 0
 I bet it will be completes only with a custom tuned TTX, ÂŁ10,000. And why not? They will still sell every one they make. I'd love one... second hand.
  • 12 2
 For the color theme, some DVO Components would have perfectly match
  • 11 2
 Now if only hope would get into the suspension game!
  • 5 0
 Or, a Hope dropper post? I know I'm not the only one who'd wan to see that
  • 3 0
 Only thing that i hope for is that the frame will meet the snandart of other hope-made elements, i love the way the manufacture everything, great in use, more than tough, and easy to get spares and repair if anyhow you break it!
Love your work @hopetech
  • 6 0
 650B Ohlins finally? Or running the 29" fork with a 650B wheel?
  • 2 0
 Good question. The first thing i was looking for, was the wheel size, because of that fork.
Edit: The fender is hiding it a litle bit. This is obviously the 29er fork.
  • 2 0
 Is the offset not a bit wacky for smaller wheels?
  • 1 0
 @Werratte: Yeah I thought that as well. There's a fair gap between the tyre and the fork!

Wonder when the 650B Ohlins will finally break cover...
  • 2 0
 @fussylou: Dunno Giant spec'd the 650B Reign with a Pike which had the lowers off the 29" fork.
  • 7 4
 Great looking bike but for f@#k sake. I'm so sick of "enduro" anything. This is a mountain bike! It goes up and down hills enough said. Hey mountian bike industry. Shove the word enduro up your collective a$$#s.
  • 4 0
 I've been really tryin baby. Tryin to hold back this feeling for so long. And if you feel, like I feel baby. come on WHOA come on lets get it on...
  • 3 1
 Looks like a work of art. Does look at first glance to have a lower leverage ratio with the shock being forward of the main bottom pivot so much. Rocker link angled forward already aswell. Longish looking stroke shock too. All adds up to have being designed for a coil shock perhaps?
  • 4 0
 You know shock placement has nothing to do with leverage ratios? Pivot placement yes, because its the geometry of the moving parts that act as a distance multiplyer on the shocks stroke length.
  • 1 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: yes and if you look at the already forward angle of the rocker link that reflects a lower ratio. I agree that shock placement alone isnt the a factor but when shock placement is a direct result of pivot placements as this is then its worth noting
  • 2 0
 @slowrider73: no that indicates a rising rate for ramp up/bottom out control but thats still pivot placement not shock.
  • 3 0
 @slowrider73: also its only forward angled because the whole assembly is at an angle, its actually angled away from the shock indicating a progressive then regressive rate meaning its harder to bottom out but is supple in the sag zone.
  • 3 0
 If I could replace more of my components with Hope, I would. But they don't make everything...until this came along. Not sure I can afford it though.
  • 1 0
 I like how brands are starting to make more bikes, don't get me wrong i like it. They will be able to make a better bike than me for sure! But from a consumer, with all the modern technologies that we now have can we place be a little bit more creative with the linkage designs? I'm getting a little tired of all these new bikes having the same or like pivot designs. Give me something NEW and FRESH not something that could feel very similar to 60% of the full suspension bikes on the market.
  • 3 0
 Dishless rear wheel. thats the direction the entire mtb industy should have taken a long time ago, instead of bringing out a wider rear hub standard every few years.
  • 4 0
 From an aesthetics point of view, should have gone DVO suspension Razz
  • 6 3
 But you can only run hope hubs because the 130mm spacing. Not complaining though hope hubs are rad
  • 3 1
 Yeah but if the bike goes into production like this, it may as well only be sold as a complete bike, or a module at the very least. Looks like it's got a lot of proprietary component requirements.
  • 2 0
 And a 14mm rear axle..
  • 17 0
 like anyone would buy this and actually replace a hope hub with anything else.... just saying! Hope hubs are a-mazing
  • 7 0
 Sure, but unlike the Boost, super Boost, new-fangled BS that is currently all the rage, Hope has a very good reason for running that spacing. Zero dish wheels are strong as hell, and do what Boost tried and failed to do (equalize spoke tension). Also, instead of pushing out the rear end to ridiculous widths in the name of BOOST, which creates problems with your q-factor, chainline, and heel clearance, they went narrower, which solves all of those issues. And makes your derailleur less likely to meet Mr. Rock.

Also, radial-mount brake calipers just make sense. Like narrow-wide chainrings, it's one of those things that make you wonder why the hell we did things the old way, when the new one is both obvious, and obviously better.
  • 7 0
 @tsheep: I can't "up vote" you enough. So many people are missing the point of Hope's hub / offset swingarm design. Hope are simply saying "screw you, we're not going to design our bike according to your flawed hub standards, we're going to do it a better way from the start". Bold decision and well respected. I'd buy this bike and stick with hope hubs.
  • 4 0
 Really needs a better name.
  • 3 0
 I was told that HB 2.11 was a "working title" and that they are working on a proper name as the bike nears production.
  • 5 0
 16,000$ i guess
  • 4 0
 Beautiful frame,by far the best 'raw' I've ever seen tup
  • 4 1
 Any idea if this is going to be produced as a tandem as well?
  • 3 0
 I would be happy if they offered green to us common folks - lol
  • 1 0
 Offset swing arm sounds like a good idea. Why to build rear wheels asymmetrical if you can have the spokes of both sides evenly tightened thus a stronger wheel.
  • 4 1
 Hope Evo 4s come in green now?
  • 7 0
 Green has always been a team color for Hope. As far as I know, it's not been available to the public.
  • 5 0
 Green is their company colour. It's reserved for team members and employees of Hope and not available to the public, sadly.
  • 3 0
 Green is usually for team riders.
  • 3 6
 I was offered a second hand green hope brakes long time ago. Dude wanted some insane price for them like 300$ per brake since they were unused and normally unobtainable for the public
  • 6 0
 Just in case you didn't already know, it's for team members only.
  • 2 0
 Hope "Team Green"
  • 5 0
 @vanillapodfan: actually,if you've been to the Hope factory you realise that all their employee's get Hope green components on their bikes,it's not solely for the team riders,at the factory they have bikes lying around all over the place,the majority have green components,when they take on an employee they buy them a bike also,i suppose it's a way getting components tested in the real world,that feedback is essential to them,the so called "Team Green" isn't that rare because of it!!
  • 8 0
 @stigwierd: I read an article saying they had spent loads of money on staff bikes because they didn't think it was fair that the guys on the factory floor had their trusty old steeds from years ago while the desk workers had much nicer bikes. They also have a pump track outside for lunch breaks and are apparently planning some sort of velodrome/carbon fibre parts factory in one. Seems like a really sweet place to work to me!
  • 1 0
 @seraph: that makes me sad, that green is so nice, would have ordered my pro 4 in that color.
  • 3 0
 Pretty nice toy !
  • 1 0
 That is one fine looking bike, and I'm pretty sure Woody Hole has been riding this bad boy in the British Enduro Series.
  • 2 0
 @Racer951 .. you mean aqua blue with magenta stickers , right ?
  • 2 1
 Hah, thats it, full clown spec
  • 2 0
 Me wants! Come to Papaaa!
  • 1 0
 That looks like a stiffer than stiff, with extra stiffness ride right there. Big Grin
Pretty gorgeous.
  • 2 4
 I get it. They serve a functional purpose, but do nothing but deteer the visual qualities of the bike. That fender has to go for product shots. Plus, has it not been dusty there?
  • 1 0
 I like the rear caliper. Simetric clamping system like in moto
  • 1 0
 Overall a superb designed frame.
  • 1 0
 I just HOPE for the best :-)
  • 2 0
 will bang
  • 1 0
 Not 29" er... Like it! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Really nice to see a coil shock here. Air just isn't the same!
  • 1 0
 I hope to own this one day.............
  • 1 0
 I hope I get that wheelset soon
  • 1 0
 sold, just take my money!
  • 1 0
 Yes please.
  • 1 0
 New brakes??
  • 1 0
 Yes please.
  • 1 0
 Pooorrrnnnnn
  • 1 0
 XT pedals, no way!
  • 1 1
 Sherman Tank or a great boat anchor
  • 1 1
 Hope going the way of Specialized when it comes to making bikes?
  • 3 0
 No, the specialized way to to make proprietary components that perform worse than the standard alternatives (see: shock yoke that breaks shocks) in order to lock you customers in to your brand and dealer network. The Hope way is apparently to make products that perform better than the standards, but only happen to available to Hope at the moment. Note that since you can't patent the idea of a zero-dish wheel or 17x130mm spacing, presumably other hub makers will be along shortly with alternatives (not that you need much of an alternative to Hope's hubs, but choice is good I guess).
  • 3 5
 130x14 rear hub rules.
Great another s*** standard.
  • 5 0
 This bike is not about setting or adhering to standards. It was more of an exercise what a bike would be like if they wouldn't limit themselves to existing standards. Too bad they (currently) don't have the capabilities to make their own tires. Would be interesting to see what they'd come up with. Here they even stuck with same sizes front and rear. I wonder if they considered a smaller (standard sized) rear wheel.
  • 4 0
 Most people would have been happier with 130x14 than boost. The incremental change is what really pisses people off, radical changes have a noticeable difference for the average rider
  • 4 0
 If you're going to get angry at anyone for the new hub standards, be angry at SRAM/Trek for the abomination that is Boost.
  • 1 1
 No one mad at Syntace? They also introduce new standards, though it does seem to make sense and it may be what the industry eventually sticks to. 135x12 got largely replaced by 142x12 (whereas the regular 135x10 qr will probably stay as the hubs are considerably cheaper and simpler). Chances are the 148x12 (boost) standard will eventually be replaced by the Syntace EVO6 standard (which allows for equal sized hence equal tensioned spokes).
  • 6 9
 Looks like a ........ Capra ?!
  • 1 4
 14mm axle? Why not just go 15mm and be done with it
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