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I was wondering about that! Any reason I couldn’t just use shrink wrap?
Genius! I shrink wrap the shit out of everything I can, but this application didn't cross my mind.
I’ll give it a go and let you guys know the results!!
Anyone in the US have any luck on getting a set of the new Hopes now that they’re out?
I have some that I’ve been testing for a few weeks now. Review will drop in due time, but I can answer some questions here as a forum bonus 😃 (E4 on trail bike, also have V4 still to mount on the big bike…).
My number one complaint with the T4V4’s was a soft bite point.
Have they firmed up the bite point with the new lever?
it doesn’t feel vastly different to the previous Tech 4. The main difference is that the new cam design shortens the free stroke quite a bit, which for me makes the brake feel more direct when you activate it. It’s SUPER easy to feel what it’s doing and when the power comes on. I had to change where I run my levers in the starting position because they bite and ramp up sooner. That overall softness you speak of is still there once you get into the power band more, but I’d say their claim of 6-7% increased power holds true. Also the new lever shape with the smooth hook is an improvement in my opinion. I have yet to test the different lever blade options (power and control), so far only been running the standard.
Biggest question is, do they still squeal all the time or with a stiffer caliper it’s gone?
If you’re talking about that signature little high-pitched squeal as the pads engage, yep, still there…
How is the bleed process in comparison to the old process? Does the new bleed port help?
You feel like power is about the same?
i was hoping they addressed that, while riding i don't even care anymore, but sometimes i take some 3rd view or pov videos and it's pretty annoying
i'm Considering selling my T4V4 and either, Get the Evo GR4, or the Radic Kahas, there's no info out there about either at the moment, for the kahas all i see is the previous generation with different seals and no bite point control.
The lever feel of the kahas is pretty insane, i just wonder how close do the pads stay to the rotor?
Does anyone here have the latest Kahas? i hated that about the MT7, how close the pads were to the rotor and how painful they were to keep drag free, the Hopes on the other hand have been easy as.
I am Torn between the 2, i can get them at the same cost, For the Hopes i don't like too much the noise, The Kahas i wonder how they are noise and to generally live with, any imput is appreciated
I never felt like the old, open-lever bleed process was that much of a hassle to begin with, apart from the little puddle of brake fluid that invariably ends up on the floor, but yes the new bleed port makes the whole thing much cleaner for sure. I've always been able to get really good bleeds without any trouble with Hope brakes, so the port is just more convenient and less messy (the process itself doesn't change, you still do a top-down bleed by pushing fluid through the system from the lever and out of the caliper end). The bleed cup they supply is really well made and works perfectly.
As for the power, it seems to be up a tiny bit, a feeling that is further accentuated by the shorter free stroke and more instant pad engagement.
Unfortunately it doesn’t help you right now but I think I’m going to order a set of the new Kahas and have him add the tool free reach and bite on them as well and also get a set of 612s for my other bike.
Have Code RSCs on both my trail bike and DH bike and time to change it up and get better for both!
Thanks, that's good info. I'm considering trying these at some point.
Do they actually include a bleed cup now or is it still a secondary part?
is there a tool free reach adjust version?
I believe so but you have to ask for it. That was my understanding the last time I spoke with Taylor. It is not a given because I believe it is located in a spot that can interfere with grips so to avoid issues, he only puts it on upon request.
that would be Trickstuff style i assume, but yeah it could be cool, curious give us some feedback here about it all when you get them
The bleed cup is part of the bleed kit, purchased separately. It's a very nicely made part (cup and plunger). Here it is in action:
They include the bleed cup now??? Oh man, that's quality!
Sorry, crossed wires with Hope this morning. The bleed cup is NOT included with the brakes, it comes as part of the Hope bleed kit.
Is the bleed cup a new version? It looks wider than the one I have that I use on the Texh 3 and 4 with the different lids.
Not sure, but it comes with a little adapter to fit the new bleed port on the lever body. Looks like it would still fit the old bleed cover port without the adapter.
Haha I ordered some GR4's. If my Mrs asks me about it I'm totally blaming all you guys for talking about them 😂
I have the "new'er" Kaha's with bite point adjustment and the new seals. They sit in the bin while the T4V4's are on the bike. The Kaha's are the only brake that I will bleed at altitude >6k ft due to how much the lever feel changes when going from sea-level to elevation. I have had the brakes do a bit of everything. Bite-point firm up so much that the pads start dragging, bite point fall off to the point that I have no brakes and it wastes a run. After 2 years with zero issues from my Dominion A4's I wanted something exotic that looked the part. I got that along with all of the other aches and pains of being a gunnie pig for a small company that doesn't thoroughly test changes before releasing them to the wild. My support at first was great, but then Taylor just stopped responding. Replaced them with T4V4's and all I can say is that I dont have to think about brakes again. The increase in modulation between the T4V4's and the Kaha's and even the A4's for that matter has been a welcome improvement. If I didnt have a race season in peril due to horrendus brake reliability I would have waited for the GR4's, I still might move the T4V4's to my trail bike and swap on the GR4's.
Hoping to send the Kaha's back at some point to get Taylor to figure out what is wrong with the "new" seals, not holding my breath though. One thing that really sucks about the bite point adjustment with the Kaha's is there is zero indexing and no min-max limits. You can literally loosen it to the point that the piston pops out of the lever and wind it in to the point that you have pushed the piston wiper seal past the timing port and closing the system off...
I was honestly hoping not to hear these things about Radic, that these issues would be only found on copypaste brands we all know where adjustments do go too far and brakes have problems with that, wild to know about the altitude as well
First day in Whistler that happened to me on the V4s as well but after a bleed it was gone, some air was stuck in them causing the issue, I guess GR4 it is then
Same here, and they were not cheap by any means. I get the feeling that it's a small one- or two-man organization being done after working a regular 9-5. The struggle with small ops like this is that you don't have well vetted design reviews, initial and critical, or deep FMEA sessions that evolve over the course of a product development cycle. Kinda hard to have a 6 hour design review with 15+ engineers not part of the project core team when you only have 2-3 people in the company total... As an ME I know that everything that I design/develop no matter how much attention to detail I put into it, will always have mistakes that are found during design reviews, its just the nature of the beast.
The bite point adjust just frustrates me to no end. Its still not documented in the manual how to set it, Ive had mine for over a year now...
appreciate the insights, that's why before buying anything i do extensive research, not just read a paid review and send it.
Very Helpful
i lost interested in Radic after getting ghosted on Instagram after asking 2 simple questions, the initial questions via contact formular have also not gotten answered. i got the feeling they don't want the business
dang, communication can really change my feelings about 'dealing' with certain problems. Real bummer to hear of poor communication from Taylor. I always felt that way but never wanted to fully accept it as I was trying to stay interested in them. Still somewhat am... but it has me further contemplating thats for sure. The owner of 612 which is the other choice of two new sets I was looking to get has been freaking awesome to chat with! All times of day or night that guy responds. Even did some solidworks stuff for me to check fit on something! Was so rad of him! Thats the rad stuff I want to support. Great product (my assumption based off consumer reviews) and great customer service.
I am definitely still going 612 for one bike but now with Radic, unsure on the other. I need to do some pondering. Still bummed how my Intends worked out, but all good and had to learn with em somehow of such a weird problem. Maybe GR4s on the other.
Post a reply to: Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment