Bike Check: Dan Hole's Factory Tuned Hope HB160 - Steel City DH 2018

May 5, 2018 at 15:10
by Tristan Tinn  
Dan Hole s factory tuned Hope HB160
Dan Hole's Hope Technology HB160

Dan s Cockpit
Dan's Cockpit

Tricked out with the green goods
Tricked out with the green goods

Prototype 6 pot calipers and some fantastic CNC d aluminium
Prototype 6 pot calipers and some CNC'd aluminium

Stunning carbon laid up in Barnoldswick
Stunning carbon laid up in Barnoldswick

Rooting for Callum Russell who suffered a tragic accident at PMBA 1 this year
Rooting for Callum Russell, who suffered a tragic accident at PMBA Enduro #1 this year

Tubeless plugs locked and loaded
Tubeless plugs locked and loaded

Grip taped shifting
Grip taped shifting

Inspired by the great Simon Sharp
Inspired by the great Simon Sharp

Mentions: @hopetech // @steelcitydh // @tris400d


Author Info:
tris400d avatar

Member since Mar 10, 2007
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110 Comments
  • 100 4
 Love those marks on the bar for consistent and easy controls setup.
  • 62 4
 This is one of the very few bikes that the price tag seems justifiable. The attention to detail is phenomenal, this is the only carbon bike I would love to buy.
  • 25 2
 And a unno bike as well
  • 10 3
 I know it's good to have a British company using carbon(as much as I'm against it) and it's actually reasonably priced for what it is, but am I the only one that feels that the bike is nothing spectacular for what is it is? The geometry is nothing different than what most brands have for 160mm travel bikes.
We had one in work in work yesterday but as much as we were awed by its beauty I don't think I could buy one!
  • 2 0
 @felimocl: I agree with your point. Its kind of like deciding on a sport bike.
Yamaha R1, MV Agusta or Ducati. All 3 will accelerate you to 257kmh without hesitation. As Allballz mentioned above its in the process of how they build it, that is also part of the appeal to me on top of the attention to detail.
  • 4 0
 @vonroder77: I know nothing about sport bikes but even still the reach, top tube and wheel base are all fairly tight compared to the trend of long, low, slack full on enduro smashers there are. A tighter bike isn't going to handle the same as something like a NP Mega or RM Slayer at high speed.
You'd hope that a new comer to frame building would try to come up with a design that sets them apart. Similar to smallerish brands like Pole, Nicolai, transition, cotic ect. with more extreme geometries.
  • 1 0
 @felimocl:Very good points. I am actually curious with their frames being small batch and made in house, if they plan on keeping up with the current geometry trends or not? and if it would even be financially feasible for them?
  • 7 1
 @felimocl: OR maybe the newcomer to frame building decided to go with geo that will work really well on the trails that the dentists who buy them will be riding.
  • 3 0
 @felimocl: This bike looks awesome. It´s difficult to me trying to compare the quality of the finish to any other bike in the market,maybe Unno as other guy mention. In the other hand,they not take any risk whit geo in this first bike...Maybe for the next bike they take advantage of new trends.
  • 5 0
 @friendlyfoe: Actually they've been getting a lot of attention because despite being handmade carbon bikes with top-of-the-line specs they are priced below the typical dentist range
  • 7 0
 @felimocl: but there's actually a lot of people out there who thinks the trend's gone too far, and/or pure enduro racing geometries are not the most convenient for everyday riding.
Geometry wise, this is a bike I'd totally buy.
  • 1 0
 If I'd choose any carbon frame out of what's currently available, it'd be Robotbike. Anisotropic material for the straight loads, isotropic material for the more complex areas. Still hypothetical as I don't need that level of performance. Steel suffices. It is all about geometry for me.
  • 2 0
 @friendlyfoe: other brands sell tons of bikes not even close in quality,finish or even ridding characteristics. If the go with more aggressive geo or trendy numbers,even bigger wheels It could be the bike for a lot of people. All CF bikes are hand made but this one looks amazing. That raw carbon,perfect weaving,perfect alignment of those CF pieces are bike porn...
  • 1 0
 @felimocl: Those more extreme geometries reflect the places where they are ridden. This will be mostly ridden in England and is probably a reflection of their most common trails.
  • 2 0
 @allballz: do you or anyone know if there is a way to know which type of carbon manufacturers are using and which ones are rated as strongest/most reliable carbon?
  • 24 6
 Do we really need such monster six-piston calipers on a mountain bike?
  • 8 15
flag jaame (May 6, 2018 at 4:27) (Below Threshold)
 The caption is wrong. These are actually seven piston. Three on the outside, four on the inside. Uneven squeezing force dissipates heat better, apparently
  • 46 13
 No- but middle aged men will buy it because enduro, bro.
  • 16 2
 @NotNamed: is 35 middle aged?
  • 20 2
 I am as much a Hope fanboy as everybody else who clicked this article (I suppose), but it seems we're going the way of disposable razors (and number of blades) with brake calipers, it seems. Just imagine, 10 calipers for that smooth skin feel while braking, yay! Wink
  • 30 2
 Ebikes? Heavier riders? ... Adam Brayton?
  • 15 1
 When your a fat bastard on a 29er, yes.
  • 45 0
 Who complains about strong brakes? Smile
  • 8 4
 @smobytoe: sorry guys I missed the last few comments. I was out buying my new razor. Gillette Turbo 10 ®. Ten blades for that perfect shave.
  • 15 29
flag NotNamed (May 6, 2018 at 5:55) (Below Threshold)
 @tris400d:
Shimano SLX were always powerful enough for me with 90-95kg geared up.
Cant imagine needing more than Saints/ V4s .... when you’re 130kg+ chances are you aren’t even in the mountains lol
  • 1 0
 Boosted and Dub-sized for for performance gains.
  • 9 1
 @smobytoe: I love instant skid triggers
  • 4 0
 @MikeAzBS: I'd be stoked if I made it to 70!
  • 4 2
 @jaame: I heard it removes the first layer of dermis, and leaves a newborn baby bottom finish. It actually makes your skin feel like it hasn't been exposed to outside air for more than a few minutes. Women's hards are attracted to your face like a Gerber baby!
  • 17 2
 @smobytoe: "Who complains about strong brakes?" ....Slowpokes.
  • 2 3
 @jaame: Can you link to a pic of the 4-pot inside?
  • 1 0
 Yes it's the new standard
  • 4 0
 @countzero1101: Looking forward to the adverts implying you will immediately get lucky when you use Hope brakes
  • 10 0
 Those have been around for years I have a pair of hope 6 pistons from almost 15 years ago.
  • 6 9
 @loopie: Erm, I’d say the opposite... but pick a rotor size and be a dick about it
  • 1 0
 YEP
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I'm not following...you think the fastest riders might complain about a strong brake??? Whoever can muster the shortest braking zone wins...race or saving one's ass.
  • 3 3
 @smobytoe: No one. But there is no necessary connection between caliper number and brake force, I mean there're many ways to improve brake performance, including larger piston size, etc.

For example, hope's V2 has two-piston caliper, but the caliper's total piston area is larger than M4, which is four-piston, so V2 gets stronger brake force and designed for DH bike. I had a pair of M4 brakes five years ago, and the brake force was even weaker than Shimano Deore, and that's why I finally bought Saint.

I see lots of people talking about M6, but I think that six-piston monster just can't compete with Saint or Code.
  • 2 5
 I hope it makes it to the finish line.
  • 9 0
 @loopie: apart from the fact that maximal effective braking force is limited by the tyre grip so power without modulation is worthless, check old Formulas in wet, strongest brakes ever, and so what... I am a dummy don’t listen to me.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Oh certainly...lots of factors when considering overall effective braking.
  • 5 1
 More pots more problems.
  • 6 0
 @fecalmaster: people are surprised by this? Hope did have six pots out years back...
  • 5 2
 @NotNamed: too expensive for middle aged men...mortgages, kids, ex wives...
More like college kids with dads money or .gov student loans.
  • 1 0
 @MikeAzBS: yes
  • 2 0
 @jlawie: i've got 17 years to go lol
  • 3 0
 @skylinespeed: V2 ftw! I am on my second pair on a different bike, wouldn't change it for anything else. Gotta renew the seals on the levers, though. Did that on the old one, combined with a decent bleed, it possessed an otherworldly bite point afterwards. Yes sir, I like 'em grippy & punchy, Hope's marvelous modulation does the rest. Smile
  • 4 0
 More pistons does not automaticaly mean more stopping power, it's little more complicated. U re still pullin/pushin same amount of oil
  • 2 1
 At the bottom of looong downhills I get arm pump. I’ll take the extra power. That same dh I get more arm pump on my smaller bike. I appreciate that power more on my little bike. I can except additional speed on my dh bike. I’ll take these brakes on both though. My wrists are done after yrs of no suspension. I need the best in my brakes
  • 5 1
 Hope 6 pot calipers. The beeest a maaaan can geeeet. (I hope this ad wasn't just in NZ), (also, no pun intended)
  • 3 1
 Fifteen or twenty years ago all the Japanese superbike manufacturers were dabbling in six pot calipers up front. They've all gone back to four pot.
  • 3 1
 @won-sean-animal-chin:
So this one is for you, eight piston.
bikerumor.com/2011/09/24/gatorbrake-eight-piston-hydraulic-disc-brakes-with-carbon-fiber-rotors
  • 2 0
 @Haaaa maybe. I like hope products so I have a bit more faith in their protos. Jury is still out
  • 1 0
 @countzero1101: This. And, whats more, the bazzillion blade razors perform worse job than a single or dual blade. Like trying to push a dozen rotary lawnmowers - the first one does the work...
  • 1 0
 Yes I do!!!! You obviously don’t see the appeal, but I think it’s rad, and I’ll be buying a set for sure. I also have their mini 4-piston calipers on my gravel/road bike. Love having too much!
  • 2 0
 @zyoungson: hey, that’s me!!! Can’t wait to get these bad boys!
  • 3 1
 More pot less problems.
  • 1 0
 @NotNamed: Naa I'm middle aged(almost) still wouldn't buy it.. Now that sb100 on the other hand... That I would buy. Especially after seeing Nate Hills latest vid!
  • 2 0
 @cunning-linguist: The bad ole days , I'm from the Gustav era so appreciate enormous stopping power. The more I evolved the less brake and arm pump proceeded. It's really mind over matter. Hire a hynotist instead of buying OTB status brakes.
  • 2 0
 It's all about balancing how the power comes in rather than outright power, which is one of Hope's fortes. Making loads of power is easy, just have the right leverage ratio between the amount of fluid moved by the lever and the piston movement at the caliper, play with pad type and shape and you have loads of power. Do clever things with a multi-piston brake though, like have different sized pistons that come on differently or that engage the pads gradually and you have great modulation which is more useful at the braking extremes. As our brakes aren't powered by a booster, just our fingers then you can only get out the same power you put in at most.
  • 5 1
 I have always wanted a super powerful rear brake: epic roosting and mega super skids with a touch of a finger
  • 1 0
 @Otago: LOL, I am still on 3 blades and already wondering if that's excessive.... Wink
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I hear that. MSV all the things! (More Skid Vids) ..haha
  • 6 0
 Handlebar manufacturers need to take not of this. Its great for all of us who have ocd and need both brake levers to be perfectly equal. I don't want to carry a tape measure on the trail if I need to make adjustments.
  • 8 0
 I wish Woody Hole was my dad
  • 1 0
 Really? Kind of hard to be a dad if your a woody hole, no?
  • 8 0
 #ROOTINGFORCALLUM
THAT BIKE IS SICK!
  • 8 0
 Grip tape shifting, ruins a glove in one ride.
  • 2 0
 Who are these people whose thumbs are blowing off the shifter so much they need grip tape? I'm so confused. Maybe on a dropper post as sometimes you need to press harder, but a shifter should be damn near effortless.
  • 2 0
 @bikesoverbritches: Apart from the last 3 days where we've had temps into the 20's (degC, not F), the North East of the UK gets a lot of mud. Mud gets everywhere, including the shifter and dropper paddles, and also on the gloves.

It's not about the effort of the lever, it's about keeping control in the wet and mud and roots and rocks.
  • 5 0
 Well, I love the damn thing.
  • 7 3
 fizzing for those 6 pots !
  • 7 1
 Hope 6 piston brakes are nothing new. They did Mono 6 Ti brakes bad in the mid 2000's. Lots of them on eBay.
  • 2 0
 ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb12221361/p4pb12221361.jpg
  • 4 0
 @FLATLlNE: I have a set in my parts bin.
  • 4 3
 someone measured the piston surface and the old 6 piston brakes had less surface than 4 pistons... so... what’s the point...
  • 2 2
 Why are you trying to go slow and fight the mountain.
  • 7 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Modulation. The smaller pistons engage before the biggerer ones.
  • 7 7
 @wallheater: same is achieved with 4 piston system. Two more holes and pots to clean? No thank you.
  • 6 1
 @WAKIdesigns: you should go with rim brakes. never have to clean the pads (wear right off really quickly) and alllllll the modulation you could ever want
  • 3 1
 Brakes can be addictive and lead to terrible riding habbits. Let it go bro!
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: 2 and 4 pots brakes are not going away, 6 exist as niche option even if as collectible

also i dont clean or service my brakes by myself anyway
  • 1 0
 @Asmodai: that's good work not getting your hands dirty fancy lad.
  • 1 0
 @fecalmaster: how im fancy exactly?
  • 4 0
 I see this bike and I think of Mclaren Automotive.
  • 4 0
 6 pot calipers Eek Those are bad ass!!!!
  • 3 0
 Love the plain carbon with a clear coat as a paint job.
  • 1 0
 More poats means lazy braking from to to bottom of the hill, you can effective as f, with only two pot brake and proper technique, just read Ryan Leench book
  • 2 0
 What grips ?
  • 3 0
 Hope's own.
  • 2 1
 drool, that guy is such a dan hole
  • 3 1
 What size is it? XS?
  • 3 1
 The hope frame has a crazily short reach doesn't it, the sponsored / tram riders all obviously ride the largest frame possible and live with a post slammed against the seatclamp.
  • 3 2
 Size is “not popular” go full retard with the wheelbase or don’t bother showing up. That’s what people with short bikes want.
  • 2 3
 why such power in the back? should at least be in the front. 6 in the back is going to rip her apart unless thats what their trying to do.
  • 2 1
 I'd be all over this if it wasn't for the super short reach.
  • 2 0
 beautiful
  • 1 0
 Carbon crap. Hoped something truly better from Hope.
  • 1 0
 Sploosh...
  • 1 0
 Boat anchor
  • 7 8
 Brakes are overrated, in the end all they do is slow you down
  • 58 1
 Wrong. SRAM's are also great for turkey hunting.
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