Hope Tech has been showing this integrated cassette/freehub body for a little more than a year now, but word is it’s getting close to production. Shown above in a 6-speed DH version, they also had a full 10-speed version hidden away, both with a minimum 9T cog. Hope says that’s really the main draw for the system – being able to run a wider range of gearing in the back thanks to a tiny 9T minimum with the usual max limits determined by the rear derailleur. It could make 1×10 systems more practical.
The cogs on the 10-speed piece would be a three piece arrangement with the top- and bottom three being titanium and the center being alloy or steel for better durability. Each piece would be separately replaceable, which could save costs in the long run.
Plenty more to see right over here…
Undoubtedly, another benefit should be lighter weight.
Their new TwelveNineFive wheels are – wait for it- 1295g. Hope says nothing is lost to durability in order to achieve the low weight. Rims are custom anodized Stan’s NoTubes Crest rims paired with Sapim Super Spokes and Hope’s Pro3 XC6 hubs with stainless steel bearings. They’ll be a limited edition and available in both blue and red.
Their new 29er wheels will also come with Stan’s NoTubes Crest 29er rims and a choice of the standard Pro2 EVO hubs (shown) or the straight pull Pro2 EVOs. They’ll also offer a single speed hub option. They’re machine built with Sapim Sprint spokes.
Nothing new above or directly below, just thought these were cool photos of how the hubs are gradually machined down and a three-bolt disc hub and rotor.
So far we have TRP, Trickstuff and now Hope offering (at some point) a remote master cylinder for mechanical to hydraulic conversion for disc brakes. Hope’s has the most hot rod look yet, which could possibly look even cooler tucked up and around the bottom half of a stem.
The cables run through the body and clamp down to a piston under the red cap on the backside. They pull through and move the fluid.
New pedals are machined out of solid billet with a low profile.
The new R8 and R4 use Cree LED bulbs to offer 2000 and 1000 lumens respectively.
The R8’s bulbs sit behind Hope’s custom optics that allow user selectable beam angles. There are two button sequence setups, RACE with an emphasis on light output and TRAIL that includes flash, flood and spot settings. It has a top-mounted screen that shows light setting and battery power. It changes color from green (RACE), orange (TRAIL) and red (low battery).
The R4 has various mounts and a much lighter weight so it can be used for riding, hiking, climbing or other sports. It shares the dual sequence settings of the R8, and both models use Hope Tech’s “thermal throttling” to protect the lamps from overheating. Both include mounts for handlebar, helmet and head harnesses.
Not shown, Hope says they’re working on new cranks that’ll the the “lightest, stiffest” cranks on the market. They’ve also redesigned their EVO levers on Race and Tech brakes with a shortened pivot which they say increases power by 15% and a roller on the cam mechanism to make it feel even smoother.
