Hope had a whole pile of new kit to show off at Core Bike Show this year, but we shall start off with this new direct mount stem which is considerably sleeker, and lighter than their previous version. This particular one is the 30mm version, but there’s also one with a 50mm reach…
As you can see this 50mm one is a three piece rather than four piece design, and if anything we think this version looks even better than the 30mm. With the two rearward bar clamp bolts also doubling as the stem fixing bolts the weight is kept to an absolute minimum. On the shorter version the forward mounting bolts are hidden inside the bar clamp area.
In other stem news, Hope will also soon be selling a regular 35mm reach stem, and it mighty fine one it will be too.
Also new on the Hope stand were a couple of rims, one XC one, and then this ‘Enduro’ one. Hope have been making complete wheels using other peoples rims for ages now, so it kind of made sense for them to branch out and start making their own rims. That said, these rims are made in the Far East and not in-house, but Hope know where their skills lie, and when it makes sense to use those of others.
As you can see from this cross section of the rim it’s a decent width (23mm internal), and the design is very similar to that of a Stan’s Flow rim. Those rims have really set the benchmark for the past few years so it’s not too surprising to see that the Hope designers came up with something similar. One notable difference though is that the section where the spokes sit is a fair bit thicker than a Flow, which should provide even greater strength. Hope wheels have always been great value, but we wouldn’t be surprised if these rims make them even more affordable.
Hope always seem to have a work in progress, if not several, and this time it was this rather neat looking chain device. Apparently it might even make production one day, but if it is anything like some other Hope projects we’ve seen in the past we wouldn’t recommend holding your breath.
It was bound to happen, and now it has. Hope are the latest in a very long list to join the narrow/wide chainring bandwagon. We’ve got a feeling these are going to sell like hotcakes, especially because Renthal still aren’t offering a chainring of this nature.
What? Something that’s not aluminium on the Hope stand! Yes, it’s true, Hope are starting to mess about with the black stuff, and this seatpost is one of their first in-house carbon creations. Hope are always willing to take on new challenges, and they are aware that many riders are crying out for carbon products, so they thought why not have a go at making some themselves. It’ll might be a while until we see any products hit the shelves, but you can bet that if we do ever see some they’ll be something to look out for.
The whole bottom bracket situation has got a bit out of hand if you ask me, but Hope have tried to simplify things by introducing a new fit guide where you just have to take three measurements and then you’ll know exactly which one you need for your frame/cranks. They’ve also completely redesigned their press-fit bottom brackets and they are actually no longer press-fit. Instead they have a central aluminium section that screws together, so now you just tighten them up and they pull themselves into the frame. We are seeing an increasing number of bottom brackets using this type of design and we’re hoping it might finally put an end to the tolerance and creaking issues that seem to surround press-fit bottom brackets.
The news that Hope will once again be offering their products with a purple finish will have retro bike lovers the word over rejoicing, and no doubt a load of other riders who just fancy a splash of colour in their lives. The jury is still out here.
Also in the Hope room was Guy Martin’s record breaking speed machine. That’s one seriously massive gear! Apparently only those with the biggest of legs stand even the slightest chance of getting the thing moving from a standing start, and in order to get it up to full speed you need nothing less than balls of steel.
