Hope RX4+ calipers replacing RS505

[remedy]

My Shimano Br Rs505 calipers/brakes suffer from the dreaded, and shockingly common, squeal due to leaking piston seals. I can't bear to put sleeping people in rural areas through my early morning rides anymore but looks like Shimano don't have calipers available till June.

Would the Hope RX4+ be a strong upgrade along with these rotors? This is for a 2017 Giant Defy Advanced 2 (105 set up).

[waynecyclist]

Brilliant upgrade, they are great and much better than the Shimano's

Just make sure you order the mineral version, very pleased with mine.

You may have clearance issue with the rotors as the rivets stick out.

Also available here: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/search/?term=hope+rx4+...

Edited by waynecyclist on Wednesday 5th January 16:12

[remedy]

waynecyclist said:

Brilliant upgrade, they are great and much better than the Shimano's

Just make sure you order the mineral version, very pleased with mine.

Thanks! I'll report back in Feb when they should arrive.

[waynecyclist]

remedy said:

waynecyclist said:

Brilliant upgrade, they are great and much better than the Shimano's

Just make sure you order the mineral version, very pleased with mine.

Thanks! I'll report back in Feb when they should arrive.

SJS have stock so you should get them quicker than Feb

[remedy]

Great shout, thanks. What is the difference between the +20mm version?

[waynecyclist]

remedy said:

Great shout, thanks. What is the difference between the +20mm version?

Disc size I believe

[remedy]

OK, so +20 will be OK with my 160mm discs but I could run 180 if I wanted?

[waynecyclist]

remedy said:

OK, so +20 will be OK with my 160mm discs but I could run 180 if I wanted?

Yes that is correct I thnk, you could always contact them with a quick email, they will soon reply.

[lufbramatt]

There's a compatibility matrix on the hope website to work out what caliper you need. Depends on what mount is on the bike- some mounts can use a 140mm disc with no adapter, or 160mm with a +20, some use a 160mm disc with no adapter and a 180mm with a +20. Check the max size disc the fork can be used with though

[markcp]

I was considering making the same move, but it appears the Hope's are not perfect either. Have a look here: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic...

My second option is to try the new Ultegra/DA calipers which have more pad clearance and are easier to bleed. Difficult to source in the UK at the moment, but readily available from Europe (R2, Bike Discount, etc).

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

Now that hydraulic discs have filtered down to Tiagra, have you considered their calipers? The seem to be quite widely available. I have them on my Giant Contend and to be honest, they don't seem any different in performance from the Ultegra calipers on my good bike. Disclaimer - I've not tested them on Alpine descents!

To be honest though, the Hope ones look way better, and that's all that matters

[waynecyclist]

Gin and Ultrasonic said:

Now that hydraulic discs have filtered down to Tiagra, have you considered their calipers? The seem to be quite widely available. I have them on my Giant Contend and to be honest, they don't seem any different in performance from the Ultegra calipers on my good bike. Disclaimer - I've not tested them on Alpine descents!

To be honest though, the Hope ones look way better, and that's all that matters

The biggest issue with Shimano calipers is that you cannot get any spares, piston seals etc are just not available whilst the Hope's have everything available.

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

waynecyclist said:

Gin and Ultrasonic said:

Now that hydraulic discs have filtered down to Tiagra, have you considered their calipers? The seem to be quite widely available. I have them on my Giant Contend and to be honest, they don't seem any different in performance from the Ultegra calipers on my good bike. Disclaimer - I've not tested them on Alpine descents!

To be honest though, the Hope ones look way better, and that's all that matters

The biggest issue with Shimano calipers is that you cannot get any spares, piston seals etc are just not available whilst the Hope's have everything available.

Good point. I've never personally had leaking Shimano seals on any of my bikes, but I've been very careful (and lucky!!) cleaning or replacement pads so far. The hope ones do seem much better from that perspective.

[remedy]

waynecyclist said:

The biggest issue with Shimano calipers is that you cannot get any spares, piston seals etc are just not available whilst the Hope's have everything available.

Yes, this is the point my Lbs made when I discussed the brakes with him.
Order placed through SJS, thanks!

[waynecyclist]

remedy said:

waynecyclist said:

The biggest issue with Shimano calipers is that you cannot get any spares, piston seals etc are just not available whilst the Hope's have everything available.

Yes, this is the point my Lbs made when I discussed the brakes with him.
Order placed through SJS, thanks!

No worries