Don't get me wrong, I have a bike with Hope headset, bottom bracket and old XC hubs (they've lasted really well and run smooth).

Just I've seen at least 3 ride buddies struggle with hope brakes, constantly fettling them and having issues, now that puts me off as they're hardly seem fit and forget and cause a high degree of anoyance. Also for all this fiddling about I also have to pay a premium, the product is not exactly sold to me.

Stephen you, and your ride buddies, need a good mechanic. Fitted mine in mid 2008 and all I do is change pads.
I can do a home visit at cost

When I say fit and forget, I mean fit and not having to play silly buggers every ride through rubbing discs and odd feeling levers etc. I've not seen the same leveling of problems and little niggles from other brake manufacturers. I just don't hold with Hope brakes being worth the money.

Of course the other logical conclusion is that all the people I know that run hope brakes are mechanical numpties.