Hope Technology, Lancashire.

[Globalti]

I've been following Hope since their early days in Hope Mill in Colne and now they are becoming a major name in bike components - mostly mountain bike for the moment but who knows? They may move into road equipment as they grow.

I've still got their original Hope Mini brakes, doing a fine job on my mountain bike:

I've been around the new factory and it is super-impressive. They have an excellent reputation for after-sales service. All I can say is that they are lucky, lucky blokes - to be able to make good money and employ people while doing what you love!

Make a brew, settle down and watch this great little video: http://www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemID=SPG360

 

[ASC1951]

I've got a pair of Hope road hubs, which I've just had rebuilt in new rims. The rims - good Mavics - were completely worn out and I and the previous owner must have done over 10,000 miles on the wheels, so I assumed the hubs would at least need new bearings.
The wheelbuilder at Woodrups gave them a spin - "Nah. Still perfect".

 

[Maz]

To be honest, I'd only heard of them for their excellent lights. I was almost tempted to buy one, but £100 was out of my price range.

 

[User482]

I have mixed feelings - their customer service is outstanding, but I gave up on their disc brakes after repeated failures.

 

[accountantpete]

They used to do quite a bit of road stuff - but products were only available via retailers and therefore quite expensive.

I presume they packed it in when similar quality products at more competitive prices hit the showrooms. If they can't be arsed to sell directly then I can't be arsed to get interested in their products.

 

[Globalti]

Refusing to sell outside your dealer network is an important part of marketing your product; it keeps dealers happy and loyal and avoids the creation of a market. If your customers are happy to pay dealer prices, that's fine. In return they get first class after sales service. What's to complain about?

 

[accountantpete]

Refusing to sell outside your dealer network is an important part of marketing your product; it keeps dealers happy and loyal and avoids the creation of a market. If your customers are happy to pay dealer prices, that's fine. In return they get first class after sales service. What's to complain about?

I was not happy to pay dealer prices and therefore never bought any of their products.

As they have dropped their road bike output it seems I was not alone!

 

[zizou]

Good products and by most accounts excellent customer service. I have their pro 3 hubs on my road bike and pro 2 on one of my mtbs...both have been reliable and i love the noise they make (and being a bit of a tart i like the different colours you can get). I dont mind paying a bit extra if it is a decent product, good customer service and a bit of 'customisation' offered. Being made in Britain is a bonus on top of that.

Curious about the not selling direct criticism - the likes of Shimano dont sell direct either, but its not just the big boys - neither do alot of the smaller companies that manufacture in house. The component firms that do sell direct usually dont make their own products but pick their parts out of a catologue and rebrand them. Nothing up with that - i was just wondering why Hope were getting criticised for not selling direct when it is such a common business practice in the bike industry.

 

[zizou]

As they have dropped their road bike output it seems I was not alone!

what did their road bike output consist of? They still do the hubs (can also get it as part of a wheelset) and bottom bracket. The only thing i dont think they do anymore is a road stem.

 

[accountantpete]

what did their road bike output consist of? They still do the hubs (can also get it as part of a wheelset) and bottom bracket. The only thing i dont think they do anymore is a road stem.

Whoops- me talking out of my **** again.

I looked for a front hub about a year ago and couldn't get a result and presumed that they had stopped making them.

 

[fossyant]

Got Hope lights, and a pair of HED Jets, built on Hope Ti hubs - lurvely !