Anyone running Hope Mini's?

[Carbon_Kiwi]

what are your thoughts on them?
and could you give me a run down on bolt sizes as well - so i can order some ti replacements for my soon to be purchased set...
thanks in advance  

[proflexGB]

Hi Jas

I run a set of Minis, 145 rear, 165 front, dead light and easy to install. I havn't had any problems at all with them, and I find the 165 up front to be plenty, no sign of fade even on long hills and I ride quite hard.

I have replaced the caliper to fork/swing arm fixing bolts with Ti, and had no problems, they are between lengths tho, an M6x16 is too short and an M6x20 sticks out by a couple of mm through the threaded hole in the caliper.and it depends on what size shims are installed.

The two bolts in each caliper that hold the two halves together are M5x16.

The two lever fixing bolts are M5x10.

The 6 disk rotor fixing bolts can't be replaced as they have a shallow head to clear the fork leg, they are M5x8

The goodridge hose upgrade is supposed to give a firm feel and they are more flexible which is handy especially at the swing arm to frame point.

Highly reccomended brakes, well proven and light, spares are also available for all the separate parts.

Hth m8ty,

Nige.

By the way, having said all that I've also got a new set of Formula B4 SL to try out!!, couldn't resist them they look ace and are even lighter than the hopes.  [smiley=nod.gif]

[Simon]

Hi I'm running formula B4 disc's 160 and 145 and have found them to be excellent and reliable, however I've also tried hope mini's (Proflex GB's actually,Hi nige) these always get great reviews and I think when setup to your preferances they'd be awesome, the other advantage is they have a great backup service not so sure about that on formula's, disadvantage's heavier and more expensive but you get that CNC machine look and there pretty much the mutts nuts you won't be disapointed,you can check out a load of reviews (54 when I just looked) on hope mini's at www.bikemagic.co.uk as they are very popular brakes over here so loads of reviews have been posted,Simon [smiley=nod.gif]  

[rapiddescent]

I have experience with both the mini's and the various formula B4 brakes.  My favourites are the Formula B4 SL's - these are fabulously light - much lighter than the gold B4's and the minis.  I use the formula B4 gold and formula b4 4 pot brakes on my own bikes.

HOWEVER.
that could all change because at EUROBIKE Hope had some examples of their new Minis that look one hell of a lot better than the old ones.  have a look at http://www.singletrackworld.com for an update and pictures.

callum
rdi

[Oz-SUB]

I'm running Mini's on my 5500c, and apart from the breaking material on one pad (rear) breaking away within the first 10 miles (replaced FOC by LBS - must have been bad bonding), they have been superb.  I'm thinking of getting another set for my Oz-M, which I plan to build up by the end of this year.  The cheapest UK price is £199 for the full set.

However, I did meet up with Nige and WoW! those B4 SL's are V Light, can I find the additional £81?

[Carbon_Kiwi]

thanks for the excellent feedback everyone  
just what i was after - good stuff Nige
the eurobike link was interesting too Callum - may have to hold off until these come on the market...
the formula brakes are something i know nothing about. i don't even know where they are made! just checked them out though and they look pretty good.
i have to say i am very fond of the machining work on the hope's though...

[Carbon_Kiwi]

found a place that do ti bolts with a shallow enough head that you can use em to fit your rotors to your hubs: http://www.racebolts.com
just in case anyone's interested...

[bikendan]

 ;)carbon kiwi, there is a formula distributor in nelson. here is the link to them.
http://www.formula-brake.it/distributors/australia.asp
i'm assuming they represent the aussie/kiwi area.
i run b-4's on my razorback and love them. parts are not as easy to find, but if you go thru the distributor, it's easy.
the distributor in the u.s. has been willing to make good deals to get formula products out there, so the n.z. dealer might work a deal for you.
i got my full set for $150usd.
by the way, i'm hoping to be in kiwiland in april for a couple of weeks, for holiday.