Hope EVO GR4 vs Tech 4 V4: Power, Rotor Compatibility, and Which Brake To Choose

If you are choosing between the Hope EVO GR4 and the Tech 4 V4, the short version is this: the EVO GR4 is the newer maximum-power Hope gravity brake, while the Tech 4 V4 is the older heavy-duty platform with a lighter free-stroke feel in published testing.

This is not a ride-test verdict. It is a technical comparison for riders trying to decide which Hope brake makes more sense for downhill, enduro, e-bike, heavy trail use, or a high-heat build.

Quick Verdict

Choose the Hope EVO GR4 if you want the latest Hope gravity brake, the highest power option in the EVO line, revised lever details, better caliper packaging, and you are not planning to run Hope Vented Rotors.

Choose the Hope Tech 4 V4 if you specifically want the V4 platform, already own V4-compatible parts, or want to use Hope’s thick 3.3 mm Vented Rotor system.

GR4 vs V4 At A Glance

Question	Hope EVO GR4	Hope Tech 4 V4
Main role	Newest maximum-power gravity and e-bike brake	Established enduro, downhill, tandem, and e-bike brake
Caliper type	Four-piston one-piece caliper	Four-piston one-piece caliper
Power direction	Hope says the larger GR4 pistons increase brake ratio compared with Tech 4 V4	Still a very powerful Hope brake, but it is the older comparison point
Vented rotor compatibility	No	Yes, this is the reason many riders still compare it
Best fit	Modern gravity, e-bike, and high-demand builds where frame clearance matters	Riders who want the V4 system, vented discs, or known V4 spare/setup continuity
Big caution	Do not buy it assuming Vented Rotor compatibility	Do not buy it only because it is familiar if the newer GR4 better fits your frame and brake goal

The Biggest Difference Is Rotor Compatibility

The cleanest practical difference is not the lever color, the shape, or the model name. It is rotor compatibility.

Hope’s EVO GR4 product page states that GR4 brakes are not compatible with Vented Rotors. Hope’s Vented Rotor page says the vented rotor is designed specifically for V4 brakes.

That means the decision gets simple if you already know your rotor plan. If you want Hope’s 3.3 mm vented disc for long descents, heavy e-bike use, or repeated heat loading, the V4 route is the natural match. If you want the newest Hope brake system and are happy with non-vented rotor options, the GR4 is the more current brake.

What Changed With EVO GR4?

The EVO GR4 is not just a renamed V4. Hope describes the EVO range as a refinement of Tech 4, and the GR4 gets the largest pistons in that range. On Hope’s EVO page, the brand says the GR4 caliper’s larger pistons increase the brake ratio by about 6% compared with the Tech 4 V4 brake system.

The other important changes are practical. Hope lists improved caliper stiffness, a revised bore-cap design to reduce caliper width, a larger adjustment range, updated lever blade options, a changed cam design, and a bleed port on the master cylinder body. Those details matter more than they sound because gravity brakes often have to work around tight frame clearance, rotor size choices, lever position, hand fatigue, and repeatable bleeding.

Lever Feel, Free Stroke and Bleeding

The lever-feel difference deserves its own section because the paper spec does not tell the whole story. In Blister’s GR4 and V4 testing, the GR4 was described as having a touch sharper initial bite than the Tech 4 V4, with a shorter free stroke but a slightly firmer pull through that free-stroke zone.

That matters if you like the older V4 feel. Blister found the V4 had a lighter free stroke, while the GR4 felt more direct and firmer before the pads engage. They also found the GR4 a little more powerful, but not dramatically different from the V4 in outright power despite the piston-area change.

Bleeding is another practical difference. Hope’s EVO lever adds a dedicated bleed port, and Blister reported that the EVO GR4 was easier to get a solid bleed on than the Tech 4 V4. Treat that as published test experience, not our own shop test, but it is useful if you service your own brakes.

Where Tech 4 V4 Still Makes Sense

The Tech 4 V4 is not suddenly pointless because the EVO GR4 exists. Hope’s own braking guide positions the V4 for enduro racing, downhill, tandems, and e-bikes, and it notes that the V4 caliper can accommodate Hope’s vented disc design.

That is the main reason to keep the V4 on your shortlist. If your build is already centered around the V4 caliper, or if you prefer the lighter free-stroke feel reported in testing, the V4 still has a clear job.

Which One For Downhill, Enduro, E-Bike, And Trail?

For downhill and bike-park riding, the EVO GR4 is the cleaner current-generation choice if you are buying a brake system from scratch. It is the brake Hope now presents as the benchmark gravity and e-bike option in the EVO range.

For e-bike use, the same answer usually applies unless rotor heat management is the main reason you are looking at Hope. If your priority is the vented disc system, the V4 has the clearer compatibility path. If your priority is the newest caliper and lever package, the GR4 is the more direct answer.

For enduro, the choice depends on the bike and the rider. A heavier rider, steep terrain, big wheels, and long descents all push the decision toward more brake. A lighter rider on shorter terrain may not need the full GR4 or V4 answer, and Hope’s TR4 or other four-piston brakes may make more sense.

For normal trail riding, both brakes can be more than necessary. If the real problem is tire grip, casing support, or pressure setup, a brake upgrade alone will not fix the whole bike. Start with brake pads, rotor size, bedding-in, and tire pressure before assuming the most powerful brake is the right one. Our MTB tire pressure calculator can help with that setup side.

Power Is Only Part Of The Decision

It is easy to read “more power” and stop thinking. That is not the right way to choose brakes.

Power helps when the rider, bike, terrain, and speed demand it. But usable braking also depends on lever feel, rotor size, pad compound, tire grip, fork and frame clearance, wheel size, and how well the brake is bled. Hope’s guide makes the same wider point: larger rotors increase braking leverage, bigger wheels can reduce braking force at the tire for a given rotor size, and heavier rider-and-bike systems need more force to slow down.

That is why this comparison should not be reduced to “GR4 is newer, so buy GR4.” If the build calls for a vented disc, V4 still has the cleaner path. If the build does not need that rotor, GR4 is the more modern high-power Hope answer.

Setup Notes Before Buying

Check rotor size, mount choice, pad compound, and frame clearance first. A powerful brake on the wrong setup is still the wrong setup.

Check hose, lever side, mount hardware, and rotor standard before ordering. Also check whether your frame and fork officially support the rotor diameter you want. A powerful brake on the wrong rotor or mount setup is not an upgrade.

Pad compound matters too. If you are deciding between heat control, bite, wet-weather behavior, and noise, read our Hope brake pads guide before blaming the brake model itself.

Pros And Cons

Hope EVO GR4 pros

• Newest Hope gravity and e-bike brake platform
• Largest EVO caliper pistons and improved stiffness claims from Hope
• Revised caliper shape for better packaging
• Updated lever and bleed details
• Best choice if buying a current high-power Hope brake from scratch

Hope EVO GR4 cons

• More brake than many trail riders need
• Slightly firmer free stroke than the Tech 4 V4 in published testing
• Still needs careful rotor, mount, pad, and frame-clearance choices

Hope Tech 4 V4 pros

• Established heavy-duty Hope brake platform
• Lighter free stroke than GR4 in published testing
• Still suits downhill, enduro, tandem, and e-bike use
• Makes sense for riders already invested in V4-compatible parts

Hope Tech 4 V4 cons

• Older comparison point against EVO GR4
• May not be the best new-buy answer if you want the newest Hope gravity brake
• Can be harder to get a solid bleed than GR4, based on published testing

Final Recommendation

If you are starting fresh and want Hope’s strongest current gravity brake, buy the EVO GR4. It is the cleaner choice for a modern downhill, enduro, or e-bike setup where the brake itself is the priority.

If the reason you are looking at V4 is its lighter free-stroke feel, existing parts continuity, or the V4 system you already know, stay with the Tech 4 V4 path. The GR4 is the better fresh-start answer only when the newer lever, caliper and bleed updates matter more to you.

For most riders, the practical decision is this: GR4 for the newer high-power brake, V4 for the vented-rotor ecosystem.

FAQ

Is Hope EVO GR4 more powerful than Tech 4 V4?

Hope says the GR4 uses larger pistons that increase the brake ratio compared with the Tech 4 V4 system. In practical terms, treat GR4 as Hope’s newer maximum-power gravity brake.

Can Hope EVO GR4 use Vented Rotors?

No. Hope states that GR4 brakes are not compatible with Vented Rotors.

Why would I still buy Tech 4 V4?

Buy Tech 4 V4 if you want the V4 brake platform, a lighter free-stroke feel, existing V4 parts continuity, or the rotor path covered above.

Which is better for an e-bike?

For a new brake purchase, EVO GR4 is usually the more direct current-generation choice. If your e-bike setup is already built around the V4 system, Tech 4 V4 can still make sense.

Should trail riders choose GR4 or V4?

Many trail riders do not need either one. If you are not overheating brakes or riding steep high-speed terrain, look at rotor size, pads, tire grip, and a lighter brake option before jumping to Hope’s heaviest-duty choices.