First Look: Hope launches revamped Pro 4 hubs
Hope’s Pro series has always been regarded as a great value product (click to enlarge).
Hope’s hubs have gained a large following for a number of reasons, including price and reliability. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also light, available in a number of colors, and easily convertible between different axle standards.
The evolution of Hope hubs (left to right) from the late 1990s to present (click to enlarge).
Now Hope has released a new version of their hubs called the Pro 4. These hubs utilize a 44-tooth ratchet mechanism which is claimed to have 10 percent quicker engagement than the outgoing Pro 2 Evo. We’re still waiting to hear back from Hope regarding pricing. We’ll update when we have more info.
To explain the design process, testing procedures, and the manufacturing stages that went into creating these new hubs, Hope created a short film entitled “Behind the Hub.” If you’re interested in learning more about their engineering ethos and assembly, it’s well worth a watch.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Hope also made changes to the hub shell. Due to the industry wide move to larger wheel sizes, they’ve increased flange diameters. Increasing the spoke flange allows the use of shorter spokes, which in turn creates a stiffer wheel. Hope also reworked the freehub, which is now compatible with 11-speed Shimano cassettes.
Hate aluminum freehub bodies as much as we do? Don’t worry. Hope will also be offering a steel version (click to enlarge).
Like all of Hope’s hubs, the new Pro 4s are easily convertible between different freehub and axle standards. As an added bonus, they’ve also created disc spacers and end caps to make their existing front hubs Boost compatible.
Like the outgoing Pro 2 model, the new Pro 4 hubs will be available in anodized colors (click to enlarge).
At launch, the hubs will be available in black, silver, red, blue, orange, and purple.
Spoke Drilling Options
- Front: 24, 28, 32, 36
- Boost Front: 28, 32, 36
- 135/142 Rear: 24, 28, 32, 36
- Boost Rear: 28, 32, 36
- 150mm Rear: 32, 36
- 135/142 Rear DH: 32, 36
Compatibility
- Axle Conversions: Front – QR, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm and 20mm, Rear – QR, 10mm, 12mm and 142mm
- Freehubs: Shimano 8, 9, 10 and 11 speed, Campagnolo, SRAM XD
- Boost: Specific hub shells for this wider standard, and if you already have an existing hub set you’d like to convert, Hope has produced disc spacers and endcaps to modify existing front hubs.
Claimed Weights (32h unless noted)
- Front: QR – 187g, 9mm – 184g, 15mm – 181g, 20mm – 173g
- Boost Front: 188g
- 135/142 Rear: QR – 311g, 142mm – 300g, XD
- Boost Rear: 311g for 36-hole version with Shimano 11-speed alloy freehub body.
- 150mm Rear: 322g with Shimano 11-speed freehub body
For more info visit Hope www.hopetech.com
The post First Look: Hope launches revamped Pro 4 hubs appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.