Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment

comatosegi
Posts
78
Joined
8/28/2025
Location
Portland, OR US
10/27/2025 11:04pm
JerseyMojo wrote:
I noticed yesterday that I've managed to kink my rear brake hose on my DHR Evos in 2 places - one at the junction into the...

I noticed yesterday that I've managed to kink my rear brake hose on my DHR Evos in 2 places - one at the junction into the head tube (from swapping forks out..) and the other at the entrance to the levers (from my light pushing it in that place).

Never had hoses kink before, could it be that the TRP hoses are softer than anything else (ie Formula and SRAM)? Could I be losing power from the flex?

TRP made a running change to the hoses, they added a stiff plastic liner.  I didn’t know about this when installing my Pros and kinked it twice.  Ran it the entire season like that and didn’t have any issues.  Apparently the soft hoses were causing the soft bite point.

The Serious
Posts
24
Joined
6/2/2025
Location
christchurch NZ
10/27/2025 11:17pm
comatosegi wrote:
TRP made a running change to the hoses, they added a stiff plastic liner.  I didn’t know about this when installing my Pros and kinked it...

TRP made a running change to the hoses, they added a stiff plastic liner.  I didn’t know about this when installing my Pros and kinked it twice.  Ran it the entire season like that and didn’t have any issues.  Apparently the soft hoses were causing the soft bite point.

when did they make this change?
Quite a few people run the Saint hose still.

1
10/28/2025 11:59am

Following on from the Shimano/TRP hose question - has anyone used Shimano barb/olives? The only supplier that will deliver to me for TRP barbs and olives wants £20 just for shipping!

motomike
Posts
93
Joined
10/12/2009
Location
Linville, NC US
10/28/2025 12:23pm
JerseyMojo wrote:
Following on from the Shimano/TRP hose question - has anyone used Shimano barb/olives? The only supplier that will deliver to me for TRP barbs and olives...

Following on from the Shimano/TRP hose question - has anyone used Shimano barb/olives? The only supplier that will deliver to me for TRP barbs and olives wants £20 just for shipping!

Use the TRP barb/olive on the Shimano hose.  Works great, it just a weeee bit snug slipping the olive on the hose, but it works.  

comatosegi
Posts
78
Joined
8/28/2025
Location
Portland, OR US
10/28/2025 11:55pm
comatosegi wrote:
TRP made a running change to the hoses, they added a stiff plastic liner.  I didn’t know about this when installing my Pros and kinked it...

TRP made a running change to the hoses, they added a stiff plastic liner.  I didn’t know about this when installing my Pros and kinked it twice.  Ran it the entire season like that and didn’t have any issues.  Apparently the soft hoses were causing the soft bite point.

when did they make this change?
Quite a few people run the Saint hose still.

I have early run Pros, so those probably shipped with them from the get go.  I have a set of the DHR Evos with the updated lever adjustment from early 2024 and those still have the old hose.

1
11/1/2025 1:57am
RoostLee wrote:
Finally got hold of a set of GR4s after years on the Tech 4 V4. As with all things Hope the build quality is a work...

Finally got hold of a set of GR4s after years on the Tech 4 V4. As with all things Hope the build quality is a work of art. First impressions:

I bled the ‘old’ way without using the bleed port because I didn’t have the adapter for the funnel yet .Hopes new bleed video gives a few new steps which seem to work good.

Lever is a touch heavier throw than the v4 but much shorter throw before bite due to the new cam design. It’s still very light. 

Extra hook on the lever is really nice, way more secure 

Bigger piston is noticeable in the power increase, not huge on the v4. 

Still a lot of feel at the lever which is my favourite thing about the hopes compared to the mavens or Shimano that have that on/off. Just preference.

Love they share the same pads and some hardware so all my T4 spares are not useless!

 

This is interesting - I received a set of GR’s and they had the bucket adapter in one box.

11/1/2025 2:00am
yzedf wrote:
Does anyone run smaller rotors in the cold (freezing plus or minus 10-15F) weather to try to keep them working better? Specifically for all-mountain, enduro or...

Does anyone run smaller rotors in the cold (freezing plus or minus 10-15F) weather to try to keep them working better? Specifically for all-mountain, enduro or whatever we call it these days type of riding. 

Cyclocross wrenching background - rather than smaller, we found pads that heat up faster are better. The alloy core rotors manage high temp better but also get up to operating temp faster.

3
11/1/2025 11:59am Edited Date/Time 11/2/2025 12:26pm

Now have 2 sets of 6 month old T4 V4's that have horrendous amounts of wandering bite point, gets slightly better after a bleed but immediately returns after 200m of descending. No visible leaks and no pad contamination, very odd. At first, I was thinking either the diaphragm or master cylinder piston, but I'm almost wondering if it has something to do with seal rollback on the caliper pistons (ie not retracting fast enough), as it doesn't seem to be ingesting air. Has anyone else had similar problems?

1
SilentG
Posts
41
Joined
8/5/2019
Location
Prescott, AZ US
11/1/2025 12:21pm Edited Date/Time 11/1/2025 5:56pm

I did have a master cylinder on a V4 that did something this.

It would be fine in the garage and feel spongy on the trail at times, then Ok - very inconsistent.

After a ride I would check things - no leaks, top off fluid at the MC, bleed, and it would help for a bit and then boom - same deal.

Contacted Hope and they recommended swapping out the diaphragm seal as a first troubleshooting step and has been problem free since.

Updating post to add that the diaphragm that was removed didn't have any obvious physical defects - no holes, no chunks missing, etc. I did not run tests to figure out where the diaphragm was leaking.

2
Evil96
Posts
793
Joined
8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE IT
11/1/2025 6:39pm
Now have 2 sets of 6 month old T4 V4's that have horrendous amounts of wandering bite point, gets slightly better after a bleed but immediately...

Now have 2 sets of 6 month old T4 V4's that have horrendous amounts of wandering bite point, gets slightly better after a bleed but immediately returns after 200m of descending. No visible leaks and no pad contamination, very odd. At first, I was thinking either the diaphragm or master cylinder piston, but I'm almost wondering if it has something to do with seal rollback on the caliper pistons (ie not retracting fast enough), as it doesn't seem to be ingesting air. Has anyone else had similar problems?

did you contact Hope?
the only issue I've had with my Tech 4 was sometimes the piston in the master would return too slow causing the lever to just wiggle as the piston was still coming back while the lever was already back,
they got me a seal kit for the master + the new Pistons, it's been good ever since

1
Robstyle
Posts
85
Joined
1/2/2023
Location
Invercargill NZ
11/2/2025 12:58am

First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway. All the boys of course were on dh bikes so I was swinging off it to keep up. 

These brakes are absolutely phenomenal, I've used all of the top dog brakes, radic, t4, maven, intend, maximas,I'd rank these at the top of the list. Reasonable dead stroke, firm bite point, wonderful modulation, very good power and easy bleed. 

If you've been put off hopes before because of vague bite point etc, give these a go. Worth a shot 

6
Evil96
Posts
793
Joined
8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE IT
11/2/2025 1:54am
Robstyle wrote:
First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway...

First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway. All the boys of course were on dh bikes so I was swinging off it to keep up. 

These brakes are absolutely phenomenal, I've used all of the top dog brakes, radic, t4, maven, intend, maximas,I'd rank these at the top of the list. Reasonable dead stroke, firm bite point, wonderful modulation, very good power and easy bleed. 

If you've been put off hopes before because of vague bite point etc, give these a go. Worth a shot 

mines should show up in a couple days! i wonder if i'll be able to keep myself from installing it waiting for the new bike or if they're going on immediately

 

1
Robstyle
Posts
85
Joined
1/2/2023
Location
Invercargill NZ
11/2/2025 6:53am
Evil96 wrote:
mines should show up in a couple days! i wonder if i'll be able to keep myself from installing it waiting for the new bike or...

mines should show up in a couple days! i wonder if i'll be able to keep myself from installing it waiting for the new bike or if they're going on immediately

 

Oh tough call! I just swapped these directly for T4's, used the same hoses etc. If I had to reroute hoses they'd probably still be in the box 😅

2
11/2/2025 7:42am
Robstyle wrote:
First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway...

First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway. All the boys of course were on dh bikes so I was swinging off it to keep up. 

These brakes are absolutely phenomenal, I've used all of the top dog brakes, radic, t4, maven, intend, maximas,I'd rank these at the top of the list. Reasonable dead stroke, firm bite point, wonderful modulation, very good power and easy bleed. 

If you've been put off hopes before because of vague bite point etc, give these a go. Worth a shot 

My riding buddy got a set of GR4 and I like them more than my Intends lol

3
11/2/2025 12:24pm
Now have 2 sets of 6 month old T4 V4's that have horrendous amounts of wandering bite point, gets slightly better after a bleed but immediately...

Now have 2 sets of 6 month old T4 V4's that have horrendous amounts of wandering bite point, gets slightly better after a bleed but immediately returns after 200m of descending. No visible leaks and no pad contamination, very odd. At first, I was thinking either the diaphragm or master cylinder piston, but I'm almost wondering if it has something to do with seal rollback on the caliper pistons (ie not retracting fast enough), as it doesn't seem to be ingesting air. Has anyone else had similar problems?

Evil96 wrote:
did you contact Hope?the only issue I've had with my Tech 4 was sometimes the piston in the master would return too slow causing the lever...

did you contact Hope?
the only issue I've had with my Tech 4 was sometimes the piston in the master would return too slow causing the lever to just wiggle as the piston was still coming back while the lever was already back,
they got me a seal kit for the master + the new Pistons, it's been good ever since

Unfortunately have only had wishy washy customer service so far. They agreed to warranty the master cylinder on the front set that died first, sent me the wrong model after a month (received August 14th), and currently still waiting on a replacement. Contacted them again about the rear, hoping to discuss having a new seal kit or something appropriate sent out other than a new brake, and was told to bring it to the local shop (initial email mentioned that I work in said shop lol). We don't see too much in the way of Hope product, but we've all concluded that it's some sort of seal/diaphragm issue in both sets. Ended up pulling the remaining brake off and threw on an old set of Code RSC's w Cascade Cams and will probably sell the T4's and replace with Mavens eventually.

11/2/2025 1:21pm

I just swapped a pair of really unreliable mineral Radics off my bike and but the Evo TR4s on. I’d ordered the GR, but when a pair of TR’s came in to stock I swapped.


I’m super impressed. So much power, very positive bite, minimal dead stroke, bleed was as easy as it gets.


I’ve dropped the rear rotor to 180 from 203mm to see how they cope.

2
AndehM
Posts
664
Joined
5/7/2018
Location
El Granada, CA US
Fantasy
11/2/2025 1:33pm

Anyone have some feedback on the TRP RS05 rotors (2.3mm) - specifically related to how true they come out of the box and how true the stay?

I've got 203mm Sharks (that I bought from Europe for ~65/ea before the tariff bullshit) on my ebike and enduro bike, and like them a lot, but certain trails have me thinking about upsizing to a 220.  Hole pattern on the RS05s looks very similar at a much more affordable price point, but in my experience 220mm rotors are much more likely to come warped out of the box and warp during use.

Evil96
Posts
793
Joined
8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE IT
11/2/2025 1:35pm
AndehM wrote:
Anyone have some feedback on the TRP RS05 rotors (2.3mm) - specifically related to how true they come out of the box and how true the...

Anyone have some feedback on the TRP RS05 rotors (2.3mm) - specifically related to how true they come out of the box and how true the stay?

I've got 203mm Sharks (that I bought from Europe for ~65/ea before the tariff bullshit) on my ebike and enduro bike, and like them a lot, but certain trails have me thinking about upsizing to a 220.  Hole pattern on the RS05s looks very similar at a much more affordable price point, but in my experience 220mm rotors are much more likely to come warped out of the box and warp during use.

True out of the box? Almost

Easy to true? Very

Stay true? Absolutely yes 

3
1
11/2/2025 1:43pm
AndehM wrote:
Anyone have some feedback on the TRP RS05 rotors (2.3mm) - specifically related to how true they come out of the box and how true the...

Anyone have some feedback on the TRP RS05 rotors (2.3mm) - specifically related to how true they come out of the box and how true the stay?

I've got 203mm Sharks (that I bought from Europe for ~65/ea before the tariff bullshit) on my ebike and enduro bike, and like them a lot, but certain trails have me thinking about upsizing to a 220.  Hole pattern on the RS05s looks very similar at a much more affordable price point, but in my experience 220mm rotors are much more likely to come warped out of the box and warp during use.

Evil96 wrote:

True out of the box? Almost

Easy to true? Very

Stay true? Absolutely yes 

This is identical to my experience with them

2
storm.racing
Posts
326
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
11/2/2025 6:47pm
I just swapped a pair of really unreliable mineral Radics off my bike and but the Evo TR4s on. I’d ordered the GR, but when a...

I just swapped a pair of really unreliable mineral Radics off my bike and but the Evo TR4s on. I’d ordered the GR, but when a pair of TR’s came in to stock I swapped.


I’m super impressed. So much power, very positive bite, minimal dead stroke, bleed was as easy as it gets.


I’ve dropped the rear rotor to 180 from 203mm to see how they cope.

Interesting the differences that keep showing between the reliability of mineral vs dot Radics 

1
Primoz
Posts
4586
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
11/2/2025 10:35pm

Comments like that plus all the warnings about not mixing or using different fluids for a given brake makes it seem like there really are no benefits to using mineral oil at all... 

mtbjoe
Posts
47
Joined
8/4/2024
Location
Leawood, KS US
11/3/2025 4:48am
Robstyle wrote:
First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway...

First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway. All the boys of course were on dh bikes so I was swinging off it to keep up. 

These brakes are absolutely phenomenal, I've used all of the top dog brakes, radic, t4, maven, intend, maximas,I'd rank these at the top of the list. Reasonable dead stroke, firm bite point, wonderful modulation, very good power and easy bleed. 

If you've been put off hopes before because of vague bite point etc, give these a go. Worth a shot 

Unfortunately I’ve had the opposite experience….taking the GR4s off and putting back on the V4s 

1
bigbrett
Posts
56
Joined
9/5/2017
Location
Salt Lake City, UT US
11/3/2025 7:06am
Robstyle wrote:
First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway...

First day on GR4's today. My dh bike was out of commission, so I was on my ebike instead which in turn requires more braking anyway. All the boys of course were on dh bikes so I was swinging off it to keep up. 

These brakes are absolutely phenomenal, I've used all of the top dog brakes, radic, t4, maven, intend, maximas,I'd rank these at the top of the list. Reasonable dead stroke, firm bite point, wonderful modulation, very good power and easy bleed. 

If you've been put off hopes before because of vague bite point etc, give these a go. Worth a shot 

mtbjoe wrote:

Unfortunately I’ve had the opposite experience….taking the GR4s off and putting back on the V4s 

Do tell…

3
11/4/2025 6:28am

Yeah. That is not enough info. Ha ha

I ordered a set of GR4's on the weekend. Sounds like they'll be about a month or so until my shop gets them in (ordered all polished). I'm coming from a set of Lewis LH4's, which have been great, but I'm a big guy and always looking for more power. Super excited to give these a shot. 

KDix85
Posts
9
Joined
4/24/2024
Location
Petawawa, ON CA
Fantasy
11/4/2025 7:53am
saskskier wrote:
Yeah. That is not enough info. Ha haI ordered a set of GR4's on the weekend. Sounds like they'll be about a month or so until...

Yeah. That is not enough info. Ha ha

I ordered a set of GR4's on the weekend. Sounds like they'll be about a month or so until my shop gets them in (ordered all polished). I'm coming from a set of Lewis LH4's, which have been great, but I'm a big guy and always looking for more power. Super excited to give these a shot. 

"I'm a big guy and always looking for more power."

My Large Mammalian Maple Brother... as a 6'3" 230lb Brique Shithaus, the answer you seek is still Hayes Dominion A4's Wink

Dead Dog on Mt 7 on a Norco Shore running 220/203 Rotors and Sintered pads and Conti' DH SS Shoes was smooth, confident and in-control with 0 Fade or wander of bite on the Hayes magic.  Hell, I can 10mth old baby slow crawl the chutes on Puma Grande in the dry with these bad larrys.

 

Promise you'll love 'em

2
11/4/2025 9:04am Edited Date/Time 11/4/2025 9:08am
saskskier wrote:
Yeah. That is not enough info. Ha haI ordered a set of GR4's on the weekend. Sounds like they'll be about a month or so until...

Yeah. That is not enough info. Ha ha

I ordered a set of GR4's on the weekend. Sounds like they'll be about a month or so until my shop gets them in (ordered all polished). I'm coming from a set of Lewis LH4's, which have been great, but I'm a big guy and always looking for more power. Super excited to give these a shot. 

KDix85 wrote:
"I'm a big guy and always looking for more power."My Large Mammalian Maple Brother... as a 6'3" 230lb Brique Shithaus, the answer you seek is still...

"I'm a big guy and always looking for more power."

My Large Mammalian Maple Brother... as a 6'3" 230lb Brique Shithaus, the answer you seek is still Hayes Dominion A4's Wink

Dead Dog on Mt 7 on a Norco Shore running 220/203 Rotors and Sintered pads and Conti' DH SS Shoes was smooth, confident and in-control with 0 Fade or wander of bite on the Hayes magic.  Hell, I can 10mth old baby slow crawl the chutes on Puma Grande in the dry with these bad larrys.

 

Promise you'll love 'em

I've done the same (Dead Dog/Psychosis course) with my Lewis brakes and didn't have any issues at all. I just like shiny new things (literally and figuratively). Hope comes in silver/polished and just happen to be ridiculously powerful too. Lol

1
Primoz
Posts
4586
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
11/4/2025 9:34am

Isn't the general consensus that Dominions are a smidge more powerful than Codes, but not at the level of the new, powerful stuff?

5
11/4/2025 9:39am
Primoz wrote:

Isn't the general consensus that Dominions are a smidge more powerful than Codes, but not at the level of the new, powerful stuff?

That's the impression I've had. 

11/4/2025 9:46am Edited Date/Time 11/4/2025 9:47am
Primoz wrote:

Isn't the general consensus that Dominions are a smidge more powerful than Codes, but not at the level of the new, powerful stuff?

saskskier wrote:

That's the impression I've had. 

Depending on the exact configuration, I'd say about halfway between a Code and Maven. Obviously, way lighter lever feel and more aggressive bite though.

 

2
Shinook
Posts
146
Joined
12/29/2015
Location
Asheville, NC US
11/4/2025 9:54am
Primoz wrote:

Isn't the general consensus that Dominions are a smidge more powerful than Codes, but not at the level of the new, powerful stuff?

When they came out, they were one of the more powerful options available and had one of the best lever feels available. That was in 2018 though and there have since been more powerful options out there, so they are kindof in the middle compared to when they came out. They were more consistent than the Codes for me and had a stronger, more progressive bite.

Maxima, Maven, Intend, Radic, Hope T4V4 all have more power than the Dominions do and a stronger bite point with less deadstroke in my experience. 

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