Lab Testing
Everyone knows that modern disc brakes have enough power to rip the skin from the earth, so in order to expose any weakness or unreliability in this group test, we needed to push them to the absolute limit — and then kick them over the edge. Taking them away from the trail and into the laboratory, we could force them far beyond normal usage. We took the testing to Hope Technology’s in-house development lab in Barnoldswick, where we analysed each brake using a sophisticated computer-controlled dynamometer, measuring every parameter with scrupulous accuracy. Sensors measured temperatures and braking torque, and human preconceptions and bias were removed from the equation — all weaknesses shouted out loud.