Review

The Review | Hope Tech Enduro 27.5 Wheelset

04.12.2014
by

Early this year Hope Technology caused a stir with their new complete factory wheel-set, the Hope Tech Enduro. Retailing at a very competitive £380 (€585) for front and rear; and built onto their legendary Pro II EVO hubs, allowing any axle standard to be accommodated. At a time where factory wheels regularly push up into four figures; Hope promise a lot of performance for the money. We first laid our hands on the Hope Tech Enduro Wheelset back in June; here is the intro; and after six months of tough abuse and over 1000km of trail time, it is time to find out how they performed on the rugged Scottish trails.

The Hope Tech Enduro wheels have been totally dependable
The Hope Tech Enduro wheels have been totally dependable
Running pressures between 20-26 Psi on the front and 24-28Psi on the rear have resulted in no issues with burping or pressure loss.
Running pressures between 20-26 Psi on the front and 24-28Psi on the rear have resulted in no issues with burping or pressure loss.

When we review a wheel we are looking for the following qualities, it needs to be light, strong, easy to service and be stiff enough to hold a good line, while not being overly harsh. Value is important too as wheels take every hit on the trail; and if you are a hard rider, at some point they will break. A good wheel should also be serviceable by the home mechanic and bearing changes should not be impossible.

The Hope Enduro Wheelset uses Sapim Race spokes to save weight
The Hope Enduro Wheelset uses Sapim Race spokes to save weight
The Hope Tech Enduro wheels offer big hit performance at a good price
The Hope Tech Enduro wheels offer big hit performance at a good price

Over the last six months, the Hope Tech Enduro’s have delivered an impeccable performance. With an internal width of 23 mm these wheels are not the widest, but the bead socket is aggressive and so far every tyre we have fitted onto the rim has seated easily with a track-pump. Running pressures between 20-26 Psi on the front and 24-28Psi on the rear have resulted in no issues with burping or pressure loss. The bearings are easy to service, a simple push out and in operation, and the freehub has been proven to soldier on for years. After 1000km of hard, ungraceful use, the Hope’s are still on the same set of bearings and have required nothing more than a quick spoke re-tension after the first month of riding.

Eyelets add strength to the build and are favoured by wheel builders
Eyelets add strength to the build and are favoured by wheel builders
With minimal graphics, the Hope Tech Enduro wheels look like they mean business
With minimal graphics, the Hope Tech Enduro wheels look like they mean business
The Hope Pro II Evo hubs are well known as some of the most reliable and easy to service on the market
The Hope Pro II Evo hubs are well known as some of the most reliable and easy to service on the market

So; reliable, strong, stiff, affordable and seemingly bombproof, there must be a pay-off somewhere?. There is indeed, the Hope Tech Enduro weigh in at 1999 g for a pair, a respectable weight but with (all-be-it much more expensive) high end Carbon wheel-sets coming in at 1600 g there is some extra mass to shift. However, we must point out that most of the extra weight is confined to the excellent Pro II Evo hubs; the rims are only 510 g and within 70 g’s of most high end plastic competition. In terms of acceleration, weight saved on the rim is worth seven times than that from anywhere else, and the Hope’s spin up quickly and feel lively and accurate on the trail; but they do add a bit more weight to the bike.

The EVO hubs use push in adapters allowing compatibility with any axel configuration.
The EVO hubs use push in adapters allowing compatibility with any axel configuration.
If you like playing in the air, these wheels will survive many bad landings
If you like playing in the air, these wheels will survive many bad landings

Bottom Line

If you are heavy on wheels, or are simply looking for an upgrade that will not break the bank, the Hope Tech Enduro wheelset has become the new benchmark in the sub £500 category. There are certainly lighter options out there, but they come at a significant price premium or strength disadvantage. Every extra gram of the Hope Tech Enduro 27.5 wheelset is translated directly in reliability and strength; if you are a racer, to finish first – first you must finish, and these wheels will get you there.

Word and photos: Trev Worsey

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