2006(ish) Hope M4 or 2016 Shimano M447

fire_munki · 14 Apr 2017 at 18:30

Currently my 2016 Cube Stereo has the stock M447 brakes with 200mm rotors but I've got a set of Mono M4 (from my old bike that has been laid up for a few years) that if they had a service would be like new.

I'm not entirely convinced by the power of the Shimanos but they are about 10 years newer in design.

Canvassing opinions on what you would keep/use if it were you.

SDK^ · 14 Apr 2017 at 20:47

Shimano hydro brakes are the best in my opionion...and I've used brakes from all the manufacturers over the last 10 years.

Begbie · 14 Apr 2017 at 21:16

Do you have the service kit?

Depends how happy you are, I used the deores and found them really hard hitting. Little modulation, and then faded. But never had any issue with my zees.

neil_g · 14 Apr 2017 at 23:11

Not sure how the mono compares but the tech evo m4 is one of the best brakes I've ridden. Tonnes of modulation and power. Completely rebuild able and user serviceable.

steve45 · 15 Apr 2017 at 14:31

I dont rate shimanos, I've used deores/SLX/XT/Zee/Saints, although pretty powerful (especially the 4 piston models), the 2 piston ones i've found a lot of fade, i also found with all of them lever feel is horrible, lacking in modulation, dont get me started with replacement parts... They do have a very easy bleed system, however its not like hopes are difficult.

If i was in this situation I'd probably run the shimanos until getting round to giving the Hopes a good service, the Mono M4 was a great brake in its time, and when working at there best are still relevant performance wise compared to more modern models.
But at over 10 years old i'd definitely be looking at give it a complete overhaul not just a bleed etc, were talking complete lever and caliper stripdown and refresh with new bushes seals etc, if you are having trouble finding parts speak with Hope, In my experience they will go out of there way to help you.
the question is, is it worth it to you to go through all that effort? if not save a bit, then sell up both sets and purchase a modern set of hopes.

Begbie · 16 Apr 2017 at 10:05

steve45 said:
I dont rate shimanos, I've used deores/SLX/XT/Zee/Saints, although pretty powerful (especially the 4 piston models), the 2 piston ones i've found a lot of fade, i also found with all of them lever feel is horrible, lacking in modulation, dont get me started with replacement parts... They do have a very easy bleed system, however its not like hopes are difficult.

If i was in this situation I'd probably run the shimanos until getting round to giving the Hopes a good service, the Mono M4 was a great brake in its time, and when working at there best are still relevant performance wise compared to more modern models.
But at over 10 years old i'd definitely be looking at give it a complete overhaul not just a bleed etc, were talking complete lever and caliper stripdown and refresh with new bushes seals etc, if you are having trouble finding parts speak with Hope, In my experience they will go out of there way to help you.
the question is, is it worth it to you to go through all that effort? if not save a bit, then sell up both sets and purchase a modern set of hopes.

Are they really that much better?

I can't imagine much better than my Zees. I'm about to run XTs on the full sus, because I'm fussy and the XT don't match with the zee ispec thing. I feel like I'm going to regret it after the few bad things I've now heard.