Hope is well known around the world for hardwearing, good looking, reliable products at a consumer friendly price. They state the mainstay of this reputation is down to attention to detail and rigorous inspection processes. This is sure to continue as Hope present the next generation of their popular Pro2 EVO hubs named the Pro4, a 10-44 tooth cassette, downhill specific rims, new brake disc design, new lights with integrated batteries and finally, a new anodised colour of orange can be added to your choice.

Fully kitting out a bike with Hope kit produces a stunning build
Fully kitting out a bike with Hope kit produces a stunning build

The Pro4 hubs are a direct development of the Pro2 EVO with certain improvements including a 44 tooth ratchet mechanism giving 10% quicker engagement over the old hub and an increased flange diameter adding stiffness. The hubs are also ‘Boost’ technology ready with specific hub shells for this wider standard. Shimano compatible freehubs will also be produced to be 11 speed compatible. A Pro4 rear hub will retail at £170 and a front at £67.

The new Pro 4 hub, 44 tooth ratchet for 10% quicker engagement.
The new Pro 4 hub, 44 tooth ratchet for 10% quicker engagement.
Hope quality internals, keeping you running for longer!
Hope quality internals, keeping you running for longer!

Hope in 2016 will produce a 1 x 11 cassette with a massive 10-44 tooth range, weighing in at 284g. The cassette comes in two clusters, a 7 speed stainless steel block and then an additional 3 or 4 aluminium sprockets depending on your choice of 10 or 11 speed (10 speed range is 10-40). These ranges keep within the 20% ratio change between gears. Pricing to be around the £200 mark.

A 10-44 range from Hope, now there will be no excuse!
A 10-44 range from Hope, now there will be no excuse!

Downhill specific rims are also new at Hope who are calling them the TechSD (Super Duty) rim seen to as not to pigeon hole them! These have a width of 33mm and weigh 600g, Hope say they have been designed with to give maximum strength. No prices known as yet.

New 'Tech SD' rims, meaning Super Duty......
New ‘Tech SD’ rims, meaning Super Duty……

A redesigned rivet in Hope’s floating rotors give way to a new shape of rotor and has allowed them to reduce weight without paying any price in durability. Hope have also fallen into line with other manufactures and are now producing the discs in the more common 180mm rather than 183mm.

180mm rotors instead of the old size of 183mm
180mm rotors instead of the old size of 183mm

One of the biggest surprises was seeing the Hope logo on some sweet looking new carbon bars! Hope has always been known for their skills with aluminium, and has so far stayed away from the black magic of carbon, but they are now tooling up for in-house production of a variety of carbon components. The prototype bar on display looked very near and final product, so you can be sure it will not be long before we start seeing them on the market – maybe wheels are on their way? watch this space!

An exciting foray into carbon for Hope, expect the first product, a carbon seat post, in Jan 2016
An exciting foray into carbon for Hope, expect the first product, a carbon seat post, in Jan 2016

Finally, you can now get it all in orange!

A new anodising colour for 2016!
A new anodising colour for 2016!

For more information check out Hopes website

Words: Rachael Gurney Photos: Trev Worsey and Rachael Gurney


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