Hope caused quite the stir with the unveiling of their in-house designed and manufactured prototype HB.211 trail bike early last year. Since then, the project has gathered momentum. New molds have been machined and serial production is on the horizon. In addition to the latest news on the HB.211, we also got the inside story on Hope's upcoming carbon handlebars.
Hope's long-awaited trail bike will be built at their factory in low volumes (around four units per week) and to start, will only be available in medium and large sizes. A size small will be coming into production at a later date (the moulds are currently being machined at the factory). There will be no frame-only option, with full builds decked out in high-end spec, and kitted out with either Öhlins or Fox suspension. Prices were not finalized, but the HB.211 will be aimed to compete with the likes of Specialized and Santa Cruz. As of yet, there are no concrete dates for availability, but come Eurobike, Hope aims to be close to that mark.
Producing aluminum handlebars left Hope with no option but to use Far Eastern manufacturing, so Hope instead turned to carbon fiber, which meant that they could keep the production at their factory in the UK. Hand in hand with the HB.211, Hope learned valuable experience laying up carbon fiber, which led to the possibility to produce the bars in-house. Presently Hope is manufacturing the bars, with an emphasis on speeding up production, intimating that current rates are putting a strain on the bar's economic viability.
Hope's carbon bars will be offered at 780 mm in width and initially, only in a 20 mm rise. But, depending upon demand, Hope are keeping a flexible approach. They have a possible advantage over rivals, with their ability to machine their own molds and manufacture under the same roof. As for availability, you’ll be able to get your hands on Hope's new bars in late spring of 2017.
pfft....
Nobody i guess because nobody knows what watwr is. On the other hand, loads of people drink water from bottles when biking.
Once installed they are solid though, but so are a set of M8000s, would happily run Hopes either way.
In fairness to Hope though the Cranks are rock solid in use, pedals hugely reliable once grip sorted and I love their brakes and hubs - I am a shimano drivetrain and vault pedal man though.
Pedals not a great shape, no concave to them at all, but well made.
I'll add their grips, which are light look good and offer no grip or cushioning whatsoever.
LOVE the brakes, though.
Iirc from the original article the only proprietary thing was the rear brake mount/calliper. Hub spacing is standard (non-boost) as is BB etc?
Still, snap an axle and Hope can just machine you a new one I guess. Maybe after sales service will be included in the no doubt extreme price tag!
allso i remember the whole "35mm bars are great but my arms hurt"......then we have vibracore arrive on the scene......but couldnt i just use my 31.8mm bars?.....
and likely the comments will be "i need bigger bars because since 2016 31.8mm cant handle my massive power and i broke like a dozen bars last year.....also it makes a difference in my turning speed and no its not a placebo effect."
its people like this that are ruining mtb innovation buy purchasing any old crap shovelware products that we never even needed just because its new and shiny and now we have suspension grips and vibracore
But I sure would be excited to try one of these.
I don't like, however, that they copied Antidote´s rear end or rather the chainstays for that matter.
Unfortunately also the carbon bars have an even uglier form than a boobar... I didn't even know that was possible.
Full carbon with all Hope goodies and Fox suspension and I'll take one.
I have the new Hope brakes and absolutely love them. Loads of modulation, strong as can be, and they look amazing!!!
I'm all for the bike, just need to finish it with a carbon rear end.
Anyhow, your statement is true and so is mine. Cheers.
Disappointing.
This looks designed by computer (of course in part it is) because thats whats required to make a truly top tier bike which will justify the price they will need to charge to cover uk manufacturing cost.
If you prefer the more industrial hand made look, Orange are there for that but I am really pleased to see Hope going after the top end Santa Cruz / Intense end of the market with a product made entirely in house - Lets hope a big investor doesnt move in now and wave the corporate wand and turn it into another Intense and take away the ocompanies original principles.
Are theure any kidney belt-moto style h20 holders out there? Basically a slim, undercover fanny pk
as I said the bike is a fail to me for no water bottle so I move on pretty simple as that!!! not gonna kick up a fuss as there is tons of other designs out there that have a easily accessible water bottle one can use while pedaling .