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Hope Tech’s Integrated Cassette Almost Real, Plus New Wheels, Lights, Pedals & ‘Cross Disc Brake Converter

2012 Hope Tech integrated cassette freehub body comes closer to production with a 9T cog
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2012 Hope Tech integrated cassette freehub body comes closer to production with a 9T cog

Hope Tech has been showing this integrated cassette/freehub body for a little more than a year now, but word is it’s getting close to production. Shown above in a 6-speed DH version, they also had a full 10-speed version hidden away, both with a minimum 9T cog. Hope says that’s really the main draw for the system – being able to run a wider range of gearing in the back thanks to a tiny 9T minimum with the usual max limits determined by the rear derailleur. It could make 1×10 systems more practical.

The cogs on the 10-speed piece would be a three piece arrangement with the top- and bottom three being titanium and the center being alloy or steel for better durability. Each piece would be separately replaceable, which could save costs in the long run.

Plenty more to see right over here…

2012 Hope Tech integrated cassette freehub body comes closer to production with a 9T cog

Undoubtedly, another benefit should be lighter weight.

2012 Hope Tech twelveninefive 1295g mountain bike wheels with custom anodized Stans NoTubes rims

Their new TwelveNineFive wheels are – wait for it- 1295g. Hope says nothing is lost to durability in order to achieve the low weight. Rims are custom anodized Stan’s NoTubes Crest rims paired with Sapim Super Spokes and Hope’s Pro3 XC6 hubs with stainless steel bearings. They’ll be a limited edition and available in both blue and red.

2012 Hope Tech 29er wheels with Stans NoTubes Crest 29 inch rims

Their new 29er wheels will also come with Stan’s NoTubes Crest 29er rims and a choice of the standard Pro2 EVO hubs (shown) or the straight pull Pro2 EVOs. They’ll also offer a single speed hub option. They’re machine built with Sapim Sprint spokes.

Nothing new above or directly below, just thought these were cool photos of how the hubs are gradually machined down and a three-bolt disc hub and rotor.

2012 Hope Tech Remote Master Cylinder for mechanical to hydraulic disc brake conversion on road and cyclocross bikes

So far we have TRP, Trickstuff and now Hope offering (at some point) a remote master cylinder for mechanical to hydraulic conversion for disc brakes. Hope’s has the most hot rod look yet, which could possibly look even cooler tucked up and around the bottom half of a stem.

2012 Hope Tech Remote Master Cylinder for mechanical to hydraulic disc brake conversion on road and cyclocross bikes

The cables run through the body and clamp down to a piston under the red cap on the backside. They pull through and move the fluid.

2012 Hope Teck flat pedals

New pedals are machined out of solid billet with a low profile.

2012 Hope Tech R4 and R8 bike lights for mountain bike night riding and commuting

The new R8 and R4 use Cree LED bulbs to offer 2000 and 1000 lumens respectively.

The R8’s bulbs sit behind Hope’s custom optics that allow user selectable beam angles. There are two button sequence setups, RACE with an emphasis on light output and TRAIL that includes flash, flood and spot settings. It has a top-mounted screen that shows light setting and battery power. It changes color from green (RACE), orange (TRAIL) and red (low battery).

The R4 has various mounts and a much lighter weight so it can be used for riding, hiking, climbing or other sports. It shares the dual sequence settings of the R8, and both models use Hope Tech’s “thermal throttling” to protect the lamps from overheating. Both include mounts for handlebar, helmet and head harnesses.

Not shown, Hope says they’re working on new cranks that’ll the the “lightest, stiffest” cranks on the market. They’ve also redesigned their EVO levers on Race and Tech brakes with a shortened pivot which they say increases power by 15% and a roller on the cam mechanism to make it feel even smoother.

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15 Comments
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oilcanracer
12 years ago

so much effort into making a wire to hydro conversion.

just make hydro dropbar levers already!!!

ted
ted
12 years ago

Have people ridden cross mechanicals long enough to complain?

Stevek
12 years ago

Avid will drop the BB Ultimate brakes and there will be nothing left to worry about in the cx brake front…

Chris
Chris
12 years ago

“integrated cassette/freehub body”…ummm isn’t that pretty much a reinvented freewheel? Granted it attaches to the hub in a different manner but it seems to be basically the same concept of having your cogs and the ratcheting mechanism combined into one unit separate from the hub body.

alex
alex
12 years ago

@Chris – not really the same thing. The hope unit seems to carry bearings quite far outboard, which was always a big issue with freewheels – as freewheels got wider (and axles, too), substantial unsupported axle length came as the result.

Atgani
Atgani
12 years ago

Hats off to Hope!

This looks the neatest unit of the three, with the advantage that you can run your stem as low as you like.

Whilst I won’t be converting my ‘cross bikes to disk brakes, the potential for improvement to my drop-bar touring tandem interests me greatly…

Matt
Matt
12 years ago

@Chris- You can also run 9 tooth cogs and there is supposed to be a substantial weight saving from what I’ve heard.

h2ofuel
12 years ago

I’ll be keeping an eye on that integrated cassette deal, 9T would definitely be nice.

kyle Rozek
kyle Rozek
12 years ago

whats the weight of those 29er wheels?

Nate
Nate
12 years ago

Does anyone know how efficient it would be to run a 9t cog compared to the current 11 or 12 we have now? I understand why someone would want it with regards to a 1×9 or 1×10 setup, but don’t you lose a lot of efficiency with those little cogs?

Nathan
Nathan
12 years ago

the real advantage Hope is going for with this 9t cassette system is smaller front rings for more ground clearance. The 6 speed DH version should do real well if its ever brought to the market.

Chris
Chris
12 years ago

@Matt and @Alex:
Just because you can run a 9t and it has outboard bearings doesn’t mean it still isn’t just a freewheel. As I pointed out, the concept is no different than a traditional freewheel – Hope have simply taken a proven concept and refined out some of the shortcomings. There’s nothing wrong with this and it appears to be a smart design. I just think it’s kind of silly to call it an “integrated cassette/freehub body” when “freewheel” is already an appropriate and accurate word.

Tom
Tom
12 years ago

I really like this idea, and really like the 6spd version. If this fits into their SS/trails hub, that would be awesome. I currently have a Sir9 with a Pro II set up as a 1×6. To get a 9t cog in there would be great.

It is kind of different than a freehweel. It is proprietary to them, not all of the freehub internals are housed within it, and it doesn’t thread on like a traditional freehub. I don’t see the harm in Hope coming up with their own name for it since its designed for their own products.

jc
jc
12 years ago

6 spd freewheels…what year is it?

Gino
Gino
12 years ago

How long does a 9 tooth cog last on the back?…. I’m worried about the short life of 11 tooth cogs!

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