Hope RX4 Discs Not Warranted For Tandem Use
We spec'd our new Calfee tandem with Hope RX4 discs in part due to recommendations on here. We wanted the most robust brakes we could get. The thought was the 4 piston design Hopes would be a bit more powerful, and heat resistant than standard Shimano calipers. Jason at Calfee agreed and the bike was built with the Hope's.
As soon as we got the bike, Calfee informed us that Hope will not warrant the RX4's for use on a tandem in the U.S. Calfee is sending us free of charge 2 shimano calipers.
I still plan on using the Hope's. The Hope technical rep has told Calfee that the Hope's are fine on a tandem, and apparently they are ok with using them on tandems in Europe. The fact that they will not warrant them in the U.S. appears to be an issue of not wanting to take on the liability in the litigious U.S.
I think Calfee is being reasonable giving us the Shimano calipers. It does cover them in that its now my choice to continue using the Hopes, but I also get two calipers at no cost.
Based upon the design, and the reports of other users, I still think the Hope's are a great option, and I'll probably just keep the Shimano as a back up. Given the extremely small tandem market, there are lots of things that work fine on a tandem, but the manufacturer doesnt have an economic incentive to test, certify and warrant that they will.
Just thought I'd pass this on FWIW
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