Followed KM's advice and much better for it ta, new pads also helped as they are not worn at jaunty angles due to uneven piston action.

FWIW I always finish a bleed by hanging the bike up to achieve an uphill hose run from caliper to lever, a few little pulls on the lever in the morning expel any tiny bubbles into the resevoir.

Right, I'm off to not do some skids now I can feel whats going on.

Don't you love it when people resurrect old threads...

Brake went "off" again, latest effort is a good clean with meths, then lubed the pistons with silicone oil (gloopy stuff used by model car racers in the differentials apparently).

So far it seems to be working well, will know after going to the Lakes at the weekend (any recommendations for a quiet campsite near Whinlatter?).

Current theory as to the source of the problem is that its too easy to blast the rear brake with the hosepipe, the front gets less "love" and therefore works as intended...

I have found that hope brakes work much much better with formula rotors.

In fact after splashing out on some formula the one brakes I now find that hope m4's with goodridge hoses, EBC red pads and formula rotors really suit me.

Anyone want to buy some formula brakes?

nick howell wrote (see)

any recommendations for a quiet campsite near Whinlatter?

Will do XCman, they are not taking any more bookings but said to just turn up on the day, and I like the idea of them keeping some spaces clear for the chronically disorganised.

Silicone oil under the rubber shroud in the depths of the brake lever have restored some more feel, and got rid of an 'orrible squeak when the lever was pulled hard, fingers crossed the end of the hope brake blues is in sight.