Hubs: Hope ProII and others...

[iscariot]

I am looking for hubs to put on my 2005 SC Bullit with a Swinger 6 way. I'm a semi -agressive rider and am building the bike up as a freeride/all mountain bike. Stunts, Drops, gaps, some Dj'ing (although I haev a 243 for that), and some XC with the girlfriend (again I can also use my 243 for that.) I'm looking for this bike to get me into the 10 to 15 foot drop/gap to tranny range. I'm also hoping to keep the build to 37-ish pounds.

My question is about hubs:
Automatically I think Chris King or Hadley
However, Hope has been suggested as an option.

I've heard about the Bulbs, but someone suggested the Pro II as a good option. Inexpensive (1/3 the price of Kings), light (half the weight of Kings), lots of engagements (3 or 4 pawl with 24 engagements), 4 bearings, and an improvement on their "ratchet" system (which I'm not really familiar with, so information about it would be nice)...etc

http://www.hopetechusa.com/mes_r_typ_s_rayoncherche_Pro%20ll%20Hubs_tricherch e_1.html

I'm wondering what these hubs were designed for? XC? All mountain? Dh? Freeride?
How strong/durable are they?
Has anyone had experience on them?
How do they comepare to King or Hadley in terms of the types of riding that I'm going to do (described above)?
I've email'ed Hope and gotten no response.

Thanks in advance for any constructive help you can give,

Signed,
Just another hairless ape.

[vibiker]

I'm wondering what these hubs were designed for? XC? All mountain? Dh? Freeride?
How strong/durable are they?
Has anyone had experience on them?
How do they comepare to King or Hadley in terms of the types of riding that I'm going to do (described above)?
I've email'ed Hope and gotten no response.

I have a Hope Bulb on the front of a long travel trail bike which has stood up to almost 3 years of abuse very well. I am looking to build a new front wheel of my DH bike. Like you, thinking I would go with another Bulb, I found the Pro II. I talked with Hope and they said the Pro II is very well suited for DH/FR. So not to worry.

I plan to use the $$s saved over a Hadley to get some better spokes.
I emailed Hope only once to get their phone #. I have found that on the phone they are very helpful. Excellent CS.
HTH

[iscariot]

Thanks for the reply and information...Any others?