Hope Tech’s EVO cranks switch to a new design that not only saves weight and gets stiffer, but they also drastically improve the installation process. The cranks now use a self-extracting bolt that makes installation much easier…no more special proprietary tool required to mount them to your bike. And their Fortus rims get more widths and updated designs, and will now be coming pre-built as complete wheelsets in more markets. Let’s start with the cranks…
The original design, shown on left in orange, required three proprietary tools to install. First you had to press the drive side crank onto the spindle, then remove that tool, then use another tool to install the expansion bolt, then thread in the nut to expand that bolt and lock everything into place. Not only was it a cumbersome installation process, but removal could be a pain, too. The new version replaces all that mess with a normal self extracting bolt and uses normal tools to install. Perfect.
Note the slimmer edges and material reduction on the underside of the arms around the spindle.
The profiles of the arms a little different now, too. They’re still a forged-then-machined 7150 piece, but they say the new shape is about 15% stiffer. Weight dropped a little thanks to extra machining, coming in about 560g (170mm arms) for the set without a chainring. Retail is $325 / £235, available in red, blue, orange, silver, purple and black.
Their cranks are a universal design in that they say they’re strong enough for downhill, but low profile and light enough to fit in on an XC bike. The 30mm spindle can be pressed out and replaced, and they have four different widths to fit anything from standard mountain bikes, Boost, DH and even fat bikes.
Chainrings come in about 65g, give or take depending on size, and are available in all the usual tooth counts and come in standard and boost, round or oval, also in all the colors.
2019 Hope Tech Fortus rims get wider
On their wheels, they’ve changed the rim profiles, going wider to match trends. Four options will give you internal widths of 23, 26, 30 and 35 millimeters, all extruded from 6061 alloy with welded construction. They’re rebranded as Fortus, and will only come with 32-hole drillings. The complete wheels are built 3-cross, using standard spokes with eyelets in the rims to improve durability and ease of building.
The 30mm rim is the standout, getting internal reinforcement ribs, aiming more at the downhill and park crowd by offering something that’s bombproof. Pro rider Adam Brayton (check out his new Nukeproof/Hope race bike) has been running the same wheelset for nearly five months and hasn’t broken them, so chances are you won’t either. As such, both the 26 and 30 widths will be offered in 26″ diameters alongside the 27.5″ and 29″ sizes that all four widths come in. Weights range from 420g up to 610g depending on size and width, retail is £90 per rim…but complete wheelsets with their hubs are just £425. (USD pricing TBD)
They’re available on their own, or as part of a complete wheel. The rims are one of the only products they don’t actually make in-house, but they are their own design. In the U.S., QBP will have complete wheels with these new rims by summer, at which time they’ll probably be shipping them with tubeless tape/valve stem kits, too. They’ll also have aftermarket decal kits that will match the colors of hubs, but the rims themselves are only available in black.
