Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose Date Reviewed: June 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Santa Teresa Park
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Lasted a long time. Bought these laced to XT hubs and have just retired them after 7 years of use. Only trued them one time.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
D321 Mavics on my Piranha. Stock junk on the Hardrock.
Bike Setup:
All Xt and XTR group on a Hardrock Comp with a Judy 100. All is going on ebay soon.
Bottom Line:
I'm not too hard on my bikes because I'm older than most of you. But these rims have never failed me on many trips down Rocky Ridge.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from NY Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Shindagin
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Nice n' lite. Pretty stiff.
Weaknesses:
My rims broke after about 3 months of riding. First the rear rim went when it got dented by a rock, riding in Utah. I bent it back and then it bent again. When I tried to fix it the second time, it just broke. And now, two weeks later, I taco'd the front rim. These rims are too lite for me.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 217, 517-Lasted much longer.
Bike Setup:
Single-speed Dean Duke, Phil Wood wheels, Thomson stem and seatpost, Monkeylite bar, etc.
Bottom Line:
Nice lite, stiff rims that really don't last long at all. I'm very disapointed in their durability. Mavic 517's seemed much better to me. I've already had my rear wheel rebuilt with Mavics, and will be bringing my front wheel in to be rebuilt this afternoon.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russ
a Racer
from St. George, Utah Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The diry ones.
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
???????
Strengths:
Strong & light. Set them up and forget about them.
Weaknesses:
The ceramic side have no effect any more, but its been 6 years.
The only time I have had to true these rims in the 6 years is right after I bought them. Wonderful rims!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
price, looks
Weaknesses:
weak sidewall
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 221
Bike Setup:
FSR Elite, Z1 bombers
Bottom Line:
Worked well for ~ 1yr, but after slightly tweaking the rear and retruing, the rear OSB Mustang Asym rim "blows" out in 1 spot causing extreme pulsating when FirePro 2.1 tire at 52psi. Rim has to be replaced.. but with what? So many good reviews on this rim, but orig Mavics lasted way longer amongst same riding conditions (rocky AZ terrrain).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Superfly
a Racer
from Fort Collins Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Durability, Durability, Durability
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Similarly priced Mivic, Sun, etc...
Bike Setup:
Intense Tracer, Sram, XTR, Chris King
Bottom Line:
I've got a long history of destroying rims. Most last less than six months. But I've ridden (and raced) my Mustangs under brutal conditions for two years and they're still perfect. Never even had to true them. They're fairly light, cheap and will outlast just about anything else on your bike. Now I'm going to disc brakes and ordering the disc-specific Mustangs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryan haglund
a Cross Country Rider
from san antonio Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anything dirt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
bike world
Strengths:
these rims are awesome. they are by far the best that i have ever owned. they hold up real well and look sweet
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
corvair, mavic
Bike Setup:
marlin- XT/LX XTR hubs & mustang rims
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for the best.....look no further. If you ride cross country these are the ones for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Richmond, VA Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Pisgah nat'l forest
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
tough. cheap.
Similar Products Used:
lots of 'em
Bike Setup:
dualie
Bottom Line:
I've beaten the snot out of these rims in Pisgah, even broken an axle, and the rims are still perfect. What more can I say?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mossy
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Durable, reasonably light, ceramic surface works well to improve braking friction
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
numerous Mavic rims, Trek Matrix
Bike Setup:
Klein Adept race
Bottom Line:
Quite possibly the most reliable, best-designed piece of MB equipment Ive owned.
After three years, countless rides and hard hits, the rims have stayed ding-free. I toss them into the truing stand every six months or so, and Im amazed how well they've held up. (I weigh 173, ride technical XC -- rarely jump)
Weaknesses? Could be lighter I suppose, but I doubt the durability would remain. Also, the ceramic surface on the front rim has smoothed out quite a bit, so the braking benefits arent quite what they were before. I've switched to a softer pad compound (WTB duals from Shimano XTR) to prolong life... Theres also a small chip on the rear tire, but its been there for over a year with no sign of getting bigger.
Overall, great stuff, highly recommended. If only KB's cranksets were as nice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from El Cerrito Date Reviewed: January 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
El corte de madera
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Stays true, reasonably light weight
Weaknesses:
Seems to bend at the tire bead on bigger hits
Similar Products Used:
Ritchie vantage, soon to be mavic 517f,317r
Bike Setup:
2000 kona king kikapu, z2, fox float, 2.1 trailblasters ~40-45psi
Bottom Line:
The mustangs came on a bike I bought used, so I don't know what kind of life they had prior to my riding them. They were straight when they came to me, radial laced front, 3x back. I'm about 180 lbs. Recently I hit a little stump sticking out of the ground almost exactly as wide as the rim. I didn't see it coming and almost went over the bars. I think the z2 saved me from that. After hitting it, the front brakes were dragging badly in one spot. I thought I knocked the rim way out of true. Upon later inspection, I found the rim to be perfectly true, but folded down slightly and equally on both sides where the tire bead sits. It was a fairly hard hit. I was impressed that the wheel didn't need truing at all, but unimpressed that the metal folded so easily at the edges. Later I was riding on the road with higher tire pressures, and the rear tire blew off the rim. I discovered two folds at the edge of the rim on the same side about eight inches apart, which is how big the hole in my inner tube was. I have no idea how long the rim was bent like that since it held fine at normal off road tire pressures, and it was a one time road thing. After the incident with the front rim I just bent it back into shape and it seemed fine. I tried the same thing for the rear and the metal braking surface started to rip just below the rim tape level. I made it home just fine but I think it's the end of those rims. I don't get much air when I ride, 1 to 2 ft max on this bike, but I love rough terrain. Under the abuse I've dished out the rims have never needed truing, but they haven't really liked some things I've put them through. I'm curious to see how the mavic 317 will do on the rear since I'm not really a weight weenie, or maybe I am and I will find out, and maybe go back to the mustangs, or maybe rhyno-lites.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brett Deraileursuck
a Downhiller
from Minneapolis, MN USA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2001
NONE, Ryan's doing something wrong or laced em up himself.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517
Bike Setup:
Marin MT. Vision Pro, Full XTR, Marz Z.1 Alloy
Bottom Line:
These rims rock, I've been riding the front solid for 2 years and the rear for 1 year. I've never had to true the front, I've trued the rear twice, and it went back without effort. NO FLAT SPOTS!!! That's right, after hard use and many multi foot drops I havn't had any flat spots. I will use again, and so should you!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from provo utah Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
south fork
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
after tweaking my fist set of rims the guys at the shop said they rode these, but on my first real ride i bent the front, the shop said it was untrueable, and that I would have to buy a new one. spend a little more so you dont have to replace these every ride.
Bike Setup:
cannondale super v, WB FR-3, Fox coil over
Bottom Line:
Unless your a 75 pound cross country type, dont waste your time or money on these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Karl
a
from Montreal,QC Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Lightweight, tough,reasonably priced and good looks
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Mavic and Arya
Bike Setup:
Trek 7000 with many mods.
Bottom Line:
These are an excellent value in a quality rim and can be paired with Shimano hubs for good results or great results can be used with Hugi or King hubs. I have been riding some pretty nasty trails for over three years on these wheels and have not yey needed to true the wheels, 5 stars all around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Lanhart
a Cross Country Rider
from Burnsville Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
CAMBA trails in WI
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Local dealer
Strengths:
Very strong rim, stays true even during hard rides, good braking surface, excellent customer service!
Weaknesses:
none, considering the customer service I received
Similar Products Used:
Mavic, Weinmann
Bike Setup:
Kona, XT throughout, Conti tires, Rock Shox Judy, Kore stem and handlebar
Bottom Line:
I love these rims! Stay true. I did have one split underneath the rim tape but the customer service from Bontrager was incredible... fast response and they directed my local shop to replace it. I had a new wheel in 1 day! You can't beat the price, the quality, and the customer service. I love having rims you don't have to true after every ride. I make minor adjustments and even those aren't very often despite riding every day.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil Ayers
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden, CO Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Asymmetrical spokes seemed nice
Weaknesses:
After less than 2 years of moderate use, the rear rim started splitting at several of the spokes. Had the same problem in a rear Bontrager Race rim that came with my Bontrager Privateer bike, except it lasted less than one year. I am a big guy, 200+ pounds, so it might hold up for the anorexic types.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic
Bike Setup:
Rockhopper FS, mix of parts
Bottom Line:
I have had two Bontrager rear rims split at the spokes, so I would not buy another. I had the wheel rebuilt with a Mavic rim.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkhart Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Still looking
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle One in Gahanna Ohio
Strengths:
Weight is reasonable (420g Rear / 424g F) Strong Easy to build Keeps true and round
Weaknesses:
Weight. The 424 g should have been 400g
Similar Products Used:
Sun, Ritchey, Mavic
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakar Specialzed Ground Control Specialized Hardtail Mongoose Hardtail
Bottom Line:
Had several of these rims already and chose them again for the latest wheel build. First time I tried a rear wheel and it was pretty easy. Laced up nice.
Bought a front and a rear. The rear was 10g UNDER claimed weight, and the front was 24g over.
I'm a very happy customer when it comes to these rims. Been riding Bonti's for about 2 years now and can't concieve of changing. Reasonable prices and weights against the competion, plus durable and easy to build. The next wheelset will have Bonti's too. Enough said.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian
a
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
cambriabike.com
Strengths:
Light, strong, black, stiff
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
mavic 217
Bike Setup:
stumpjumper/king HS/syncros TI BB/XT hubs/blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
Even though I have only had these wheels for a few months, they have held up great under daily commuting and hard off-road riding. This past weekend I even slightly ran over the front wheel with my car(whoops, one to many...)and nothing happened to it. Not to mention these were bought as a wheelset, for a whopping 150 bones, and were NOT hand built. So far so good, but I'll let you know in a few more months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BVBR
a Racer
from Ocomukowonowaukesha, WI Date Reviewed: March 2, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Asym design Round & true straight out of the box
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 220 (junk), Bonty Valiant, Mavic CrossRide
Bike Setup:
SC Superlight
Bottom Line:
I built this wheel up myself. Rear laced to XTR hub with 15ga spokes & alloy nipples. This thing is rock solid. I'm totally sold on the Asymmetrical rim design, especially on dual-suspension bikes. Because I stay seated through much more rough stuff on my dually the rear wheel really takes a beating. I trashed my Mavic 220 very quickly on my dually. This Bonty setup has lasted me 3+ hard years now and has never let me down. I would definitely recommend this rim.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
new ones
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Local Shop
Strengths:
Good, durable, braking surface
Weaknesses:
maybe it was the build or the spoke strength, but they recquire frequent truing and the rear bent pretty badly after one year of moderate cross country use. i'm a wuss, and don't do drops. this rim has not been abused and is laced to xt hubs with dt thin gauge spokes and aluminum nipples.
Similar Products Used:
Sun (model?), various Mavics
Bike Setup:
Hardtail Strong Racing Frame with XT/XTR Group and Manitou SXR Fork.
Bottom Line:
Again, maybe it was the build or spokes that are too weak, but next time I'm going Mavic.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
|{ata_|{lysm
a
from Canada Date Reviewed: February 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Cains Creek
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Racer Sportif
Strengths:
Yup. Rode off a stick bridge built by baked MTBrs' about 8 foot drop to nice ramped downhill landing, last stick in the bridge snapped and i went straghit down on the front rim. It is F'in radial laced on a WTB paradigm hub with DT double butted spokes and gold alloy nipples. I almost sh**, nothin' happened and they were three years old with about 7000km's on em, no lie. Sweet as runnin' into female's on the trails! Yup best rim ever, my sidewalls haven't even worn through.
Definately buy these. Keith Bontrager is a guy who is North American and knows what we ride. Trued these wheels about two weeks after I got them and then once last year thats almost two years without having to be trued, they are sweet. They will take a pounding as I am 190 lbs and am always on my ass from wipen' out these are kick-ass and tough.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, Arizona Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
One of the best rims on the market
Weaknesses:
Decals
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517, 220, et al
Bike Setup:
1997 Specialized FS 1998 AMP B-5
Bottom Line:
As a wheel builder these are some of my favorite rims. I especially liked the old 36-spoke rear ASYM model. Wide braking track, strong, and easy to true, Bontrager makes a good product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from WI Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great looking, stong rim, great breaking, decent weight
Weaknesses:
None. Wait, how about the fading decals?
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 238, Mavic 222
Bike Setup:
Mustang Rims, 3x laced to XTR hubs, DT Swiss straight gauge spokes, paired up with Avid Mag brakes.
Bottom Line:
These rims are strong. I weigh 190lbs or so and I smack these things all over the place(racing and limited trials riding) and they hold up great. I build this wheel set myself and if you have the tensioning where is should be, you won't need to worry about truing them for a long time. Bottom line, great rims!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carl
a Weekend Warrior
from Stockton, CA. Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher FH1 Level Betty
Bottom Line:
I've made ten to fifteen foot drops on these wheels and haven't had a problem yet. I have also taken them off some of the big dirt jumps. No, they are not a downhill or a BMX dirt jump rim but they can handle quite a bit of abuse. If your going to beat on them pretty hard put a good tire on them and you shouldn't have a problem.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AL
a
from NJ Date Reviewed: October 25, 2000
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
PRICE POINT
Strengths:
Responsive breaking, great durability, very strong
Weaknesses:
a spongy feeling while riding, feels a little to soft laterally.
Similar Products Used:
lots of mustangs; SUN RHYNO-LITE !!!
Bike Setup:
kula, Z2, King, XT
Bottom Line:
I have been riding mustangs since day one. Never thought I would buy another rim. Once you true this rim properly it will take quite the beating. I just recently ordered my fourth pair of Bontragers. In the interm of delivery, I set my brothers rear wheel up to my bike. He rides the RHYNO-LITE. The strength of that rim is unbelievable. It is incredibly stiff and responsive. I am going to attempt to put this into words so bare with... When I had the RHYNO on the back it felt almost as if there was nothing there at all. I tend to incorporate a trials style of riding into my mntn. biking so you can imagine the abuse that a rim takes, especially at 220 lbs. When I finally got the mustangs on I was thoroughly disappointed. There was no comparison. I will say that the only characteristic that I found to be better with the Mustangs was the breaking. And this was only in the locked up balancing position. While stopping acceleration there is no difference.
I would suggest to anyone looking for new rims find a friend who has the RHYNOS, before you go with the mustangs...
AL
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Smuke
a Weekend Warrior
from Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Strengths:
Extraordinarily tough due to the even spoke tension and offset design; barely ever need to be trued for me no matter how hard I ride it
Weaknesses:
I really cannot say there is one significant weakness with this rim, it's that good
Similar Products Used:
sun cr-18, specialized something or others
Bottom Line:
I basically am the 16 year old the review after this talks about; except I cannot and will not be able to taco this rim. Recently I've begun to do 7 and 8 foot drop offs in gravel pits, and on occasion I'll do a 5 foot platform drop at my school onto pavement when I've got some kids who want to see it. No matter what, I just cannot bend this rim. I've even gone far enough as to ride off a 5 to 6 foot bleacher 4 times in 5 minutes for a movie I'm shooting, and yet still, there's nothing there to straighten. I also just recently became able to decently true wheels so you can bet that any opportunity I get I'll get the spoke wrench, however the only time I get to use it is when my friend bends his rear wheel because mine just won't do it. Incredible price for such a durable product, I'll either be buying another one of these when it comes time or maybe look into something like the heavy duty freeriding rims Salsa makes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rattled
a
from Dallas, TX Date Reviewed: September 30, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Great compromise between strength and weight, Great braking performance.
Weaknesses:
huh?
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 221's
Bike Setup:
Bontrager mustangs laced with 14/15 spokes to 2000 XT Hubs. Front is radial, rear is 3x pattern. Using Koolstop Red brake pads.
Bottom Line:
I noticed an incredible improvement in braking performance as soon as I put these rims on. The last rim I was running was a Mavic 221, which simply does not come anywhere close to the performance of these in terms of stopping power. These wheels seem very strong so far, requiring only minimal truing after breaking them in. Anyone wheel shopping should always remember that the strength of any wheel relies as much on the talent and attention of the person who builds them as on the componets. I am 150 lbs, ride pretty standard XC types of terrain and am *not* a finesse rider- pretty rough stuff, but no 3 foot drops or anything like that. It is always an annoyance to see agitated 16 year olds complaining they tacoed their new wheelset after just "one" 4-foot drop. These are XC rims- If you wanty something to wail on, buy a heavier-duty rim. Bottom Line: I work for a shop, and my next job is going to be for a Bontrager dealer; I will never ride on Mavics again!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Sudbury MA Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Estabrook Reservation
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$129.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Extremely tough, tall sidewall, ASYM design, wears well, requires very little (if any) truing
Weaknesses:
Will bend just like any other rim, and you'll just have to face it one time or another
Similar Products Used:
Weinnman Zac-19s, Sun CR-18s on LX hubs
Bike Setup:
'98 GT Timberline w/ custom components Race Face Turbine, Avid Ultimate L Levers, XT shifters, derailleur, hubs, Ritchey Logic pedals and Titec riser bar
Bottom Line:
About a year ago I was on this exact site in the chat room asking people what I should buy for a rear wheel. The terrain I ride in New England varies from rocky and technical to smooth and full of roots. I also do a lot of trials biking, and the rear Zac-19 just wasn't cutting it on the rear, it had to be trued every month. After about 5 people told me that this was the rim I was after I went and ordered it from Performance even though I knew they'd be stronger from a LBS. It actually didn't end up mattering in my case as I've only had them trued by a bike shop once (and only because it came with the tune-up), and I've made the tiniest of adjustments myself all other times. It really does take a lot to bend this rim, I only weigh about 150 lbs but I do a hell of a lot of drop offs along with plenty of technical riding and all kinds of trials manuevers. I'd say anyone who wants a rim that's going to stand up to lots of abuse should go after this one, it's got a really good price and it's dependable. I haven't even found one problem with it yet, and that's very rare - I'm thinking of sending one of my brake levers back to Avid so that they can fix the most minute level of up and down play in the rear brake lever, just because I want them to be perfect. That should give you an idea of just how good this rim is...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo,IA United States Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Powerline
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Bought as wheelset--Strong, light, cool design (radial-laced front, ASYM rear).
Weaknesses:
Haven't found any yet, very minimal adjustments to true so far.
Similar Products Used:
Matrix, Weinmann, Araya
Bike Setup:
Fisher hartail, now ProFlex 856
Bottom Line:
If you're buying new rims, DO consider these. They are a viable and value option over other expensive rims on the market.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
clyde
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington, VA USA Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
strong & cheap
Similar Products Used:
Bont. Mavericks
Bike Setup:
Trek 8000
Bottom Line:
Bought these to replace the stock wheels, laced to XT hubs. I am a very clumsy rider and weigh about 210. After 15 months of many falls, lacerations, flats, rocks, roots, and hard landings, these rims are still in great shape. They have never been trued, though they are about due now. They have held up to everything, are fairly light, and they were cheap. Even if I find a way to break them, I would use the same rim- they've gone above & beyond the call of duty already.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Sell
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
CERAMIC RIM REVIEW. Braking force far superior to Mavic 517 CD ceramic. High sidewalls = easy brake setup. Durability of older non-ceramic rim is impressive (2 years).
Weaknesses:
Consumes brake half of a brake pad when new, not so bad later. Costs a few more dollars to buy the rim, but it should last longer in wet gritty conditions.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517 CD ceramic
Bike Setup:
Trek Y22, light full-suspension bike for XC riding.
Bottom Line:
BUY THIS RIM FOR BETTER CONTROL AND LOWER HAND STRAIN. Surprise 1: I became a better technical rider right after I put on the ceramic rim, because the CONTROL WAS BETTER than it ever was with a metal rim and rubber pad. I can use the front brake with better precision. Surprise 2: In head-to-head comparison on my bike with Razor Blades brand abrasive pads, the Bontrager rim showed superb traction while the Mavic was disappointing. Other Observations: Traction when wet beats a metal rim, but is of course less than dry. Traction is better overall, meaning less hand pressure on long downhills. Sidewall surface was very rough when new, consumed half a brake pad fast, then the sidewall appeared slightly smoother and brake pad is wearing slower. Still the abrasive pad on ceramic is going faster in dry conditions than rubber on metal does. Note: I have seen only dry weather with this setup. Rubber/metal wears fast in wet and doesn't stop well in wet. Bontager Mustangs have high sidewalls for easy brake setups and stand up to my endo crashes better than my old Matrix Swamis, which were not necessarily bad. This rim is plenty tough for XC riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from QLD Australia Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Parklands
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
longevity
Weaknesses:
nipple eventually came thru
Similar Products Used:
mavic, weiman, araya, sun
Bike Setup:
Litespeed, Turner Burner -
Bottom Line:
These rims have been thru two bikes and still rock. Minor trueing - off the shelf products for an off the shelf ride. I have snapped spokes - a hub - blown the tyre clean off the rim and still they hold up. My next pair will also be a mustang... thats if they still make them when these ones finally die. They lived on my litespeed for a lot of xc - now they live on my turner burner for general bombing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Racer
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: June 29, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
light, cheap, pretty strong, look cool
Weaknesses:
none... until I found a crack at one of my rear nipples
Bottom Line:
Been a good wheelset, w/ Nukeproof Superfly hubs. After about a year and 1500 or so offroad miles, I think my rear rim is finally going out. While checking over my bike before hitting the trail this weekend, I noticed that one of my nipples is starting to pull thru the the rim on the rear wheel. uh-oh... Never had any other problems with these rims, light, strong, stay true. I do have to make minor adjustments pretty regularly, but that's mostly due to my poor attempts at trials moves on a lightweight xc bike. I guess at 190lbs on rocks I can't expect much to hold up forever. Overall, a good lightweight wheelset, and for the price I can swallow having to replace a rim a little more often. 4 chiles.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, CO Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000
Fatigue cracks in crown after about 1000 offroad miles.
Similar Products Used:
Matrix, Sun
Bike Setup:
Titus FS, DT 14/17 revolution spokes everywhere except 14/15 on rear drive side, alloy nips.
Bottom Line:
The riding here is abusive to wheels because of sharp embedded and loose rocks. The Mustang ASYM rear was the easiest I've ever built and stayed true until recently. As I went to true it, I noticed a variety of cracks around the crown of the rim, some circumferential about 1/2 inch long about 1/8 inch from the spoke hole, and some short radial cracks at the spoke hole. The spokes are not over tensioned and I've never had a rim crack like this. I'd buy a non-ASYM for the front, maybe for the rear. It's still a better rim than a 517.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Sell
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Saw Pit
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The sidewall is 13 mm high, whereas 11 mm is standard. The extra 2 mm makes brake alignment easy and less frequent. Stayed true after a year of over-the-bars wrecks.
Weaknesses:
None, but the new ceramic coated ones are even better!
Similar Products Used:
Matrix Swami: that one took a wobble from crashes early on, and finally cracked near a spoke nipple after 2 yrs.
Bike Setup:
Trek Y22 (full susp. 3" travel). I ride technical, steep, slow, go over the bars frequently.
Bottom Line:
The 13 mm sidewall is just a dream for set-ups, taking half the time because alignment is less critical. After the pads wear in, I get to ride longer before I must realign the pads to keep them on the rim.
The Bontrager is still very true after many "endo" crashes where the bike stands on the front wheel and falls sidways onto the rocks. The Matrix Swami needed spoke adjustments after most of these incidents, and finally the Swami got a crack by a spoke nipple.
Great for XC riding with low jumps, some pounding on ruts, some sidelong crashes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Fayetteville Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
strong, stay trued, look good, relatively cheap
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517s
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Obed
Bottom Line:
had a local shop build them up onto XT hubs and have had zero problems what so ever. even after a big bale that bend my aluminum riser bar, the stayed true. Only have had the front trued once, after taking about a six foot unintentional drop.
They work as they should, letting me worry about other things, like breaking my wrist.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Lubbock, TX Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000
Mantra Race, XTR, Race Face cranks, Easton CT2 bar, Titec Carbon bar ends, XTR/Valiant wheelset (brand new)
Bottom Line:
I have used these wheels on my bike for 3 years. I have needed to true them 3 time. They have been on four different bikes. An awesome wheelset. I bought these for $200 built up on XT hubs, alloy nipps, 14/15/14 spokes, ceramic sidewalls. They have taken direct hits from curbs, small rocks, large rocks, rabbits (only once, it lived) with only minor truing need for the 3 times trued. All of the ceramic is still intact (though kinda thin after 3yrs worth of riding) An awesome rim for the money. Very strong if laced up right and spokes properly tensioned (I think loose spokes is the cause of the previously mentioned exagerated catastrophic failures).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Morrissey
a Weekend Warrior
from Townsend massachusetts Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
leominster state forest
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Looks nice...and thats about it!
Weaknesses:
wouldnt stay true, cant handle a good beat run(aka thrashing)
buy this if you dont mind not riding mutch. Cuz your stuff is always going to be on the truing stand. you can always talk the talk but these things wont walk the walk.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo, IA, United States Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any tight, twisty singletrack
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Virually bombproof, light
Weaknesses:
There is no weaknesses that I've found
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 238 Velocity Aeroheat Matrix Singletrack
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher hardtail Manitou fork
Bottom Line:
This product would be perfect for ANY XC rider, on up to amateur racers. These rims have been through the cooker, and have never faltered. Rocks, roots, curbs, they'll tame them all and come out shiny every time.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick V
a Cross Country Rider
from Gem City of the Plains, WY Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
STRONG. ASYM design. Ceramic Sidewalls rule!
Weaknesses:
None.
Bike Setup:
M2/XT/King/Bontrager
Bottom Line:
These rims rule! I've ridden (and raced) them for two years (I guess about 1500 mi off-road) and only had them trued once. They are light and the ceramic sidewalls let me stop with one finger. The ASYM design removes most of the "dish" from the rear wheel so it's VERY strong.
XC RIDERS WHO BEND THESE (AND OTHER) RIMS SHOULD GET OFF THEIR FAT ASS AND LEARN HOW TO RIDE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt brashears
a Weekend Warrior
from seattle, wa Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tiger (washington)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
None--I wrecked it.
Weaknesses:
I bought it after rave reviews on this site, but I wrecked this rim in one season. I'm 150 pounds--pretty light--and I ride mainly on Preston Trail on Tiger Mountain. Granted, it's a rough trail with drops and roots and rocks, but a Bontrager rim I had for 6 years prior seemed to handle it. This one didn't. Banged it out of true and need a new rim now. Didn't live up to any of the expectations created by this site. The thing was always needing a true. Either I have become a totally insane Tomac-like downhiller, or I just got unlucky, or this rim was weak. Probably the middle option, but I won't buy it again.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager (BX-3)?
Bike Setup:
'94 Fisher Paragon with Rock Shox Mag 10 and a hardtail with Moxey seatpost shock.
Bottom Line:
Busted rim beyond belief in one season. The mtbr.com hype led me down a path of thorns.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Washburn WI USA Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Rock lake
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Stays straight therefore rarely have to true the wheels Light
Weaknesses:
None!
Similar Products Used:
All other past wheels (total of 6 sets)
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Big Sur w/ 2.5" front suspenstion
Bottom Line:
Over the past 2.5 years these wheels have been through a lot. They have never even showed a wable just minor tweeking needed about every other month. If you are looking to improve on stock rims these are cheep and you will really really feel the difference.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jack Meoff
a Racer
from NH Date Reviewed: April 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Your Mother
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
They stay round and true the back (asym) is bomb proof i have been beating it up on the rock and roots in NH and its still perfect and i mean perfect the front is good but the spokes loosen so that is my fault
Weaknesses:
i could not get black but that is ok not a big deal other than that not much
Similar Products Used:
mavcic 221x (the front was bombproof and the back was ok?
Bike Setup:
m2stumpy z2 bomber sram 9.0sl rf sprinkled in the bike and these rims a a xtr rear and a specialized superfly front hub both of these are 3x db spokes and alloy nips together they are light weight and strong i weigh 135 and i am 18 if that matters
Bottom Line:
great rims at a great price and if u get a good builder then its all good i have complete confidence in my wheels.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from Parker, Colorado Date Reviewed: March 2, 2000
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Durable, Value
Bike Setup:
97 Jamis Dakar Team
Bottom Line:
I've had these rims for 2 years now and all they've really needed was an occasional trueing. They are factory builds on XT hubs. I'd recommend them to anyone that wants a strong rim. They gotta be good to suffer thru MY learning curve!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kokopelli
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincy, OH Date Reviewed: February 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Caesar's Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Weaknesses:
Don't like to stay round.
Similar Products Used:
Mavics
Bike Setup:
Moongoose SX Comp
Bottom Line:
I'm a BIG guy, these rim didn't work out for me. Went out of true on the first ride. Yes this could be due to a crappy machine build. But I had the LBS true them 2 or 3 times and I tried my darndest to keep them true to no avail. Finally the sidewall exploded (not near a weld), so onto something else...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joshua
a Downhiller
from St. Paul, MN Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
I can't break this thing.
Weaknesses:
None known yet
Similar Products Used:
A whole bunch of different Mavic rims
Bike Setup:
Specialized S-Works
Bottom Line:
I put the ASYM rim on my XC bike with an XTR hub and it has really impressed how I haven't broken this thing yet. I have taco'ed everything that Mavic has ever made (though not the DeeMax). I don't know if all offset is what makes the difference but it is a solid compliant wheel. Also, it is alot cheaper than the CrossMax set. Buy this if you ride your bike hard enough to fold a wheel in half (I'll write back if I ever do this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd
a
from NJ Date Reviewed: February 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
harstshorn
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
strong, durable, all black Looks great
Weaknesses:
Nope
Similar Products Used:
Mavic, Weineman, Sun
Bike Setup:
Cross Country, Hardtail
Bottom Line:
I'm 245 pounds and am not easy my bike. I have these matched up with Nuke Proof Atom Bombs and they are great. I ride CC and a few trips a year to ski slopes with no major truing needed so far. I've seen these on sale lately and am amazed that more people aren't riding these hoops.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
co
a Cross Country Rider
from Espoo, Finland Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
Gotta rewrite my verdict (of Jan 10, 2000) on Bontrager Mustang A-SYM. My rim was a faulty one, told the guy at LBS; "Something gone wrong in the manufacturing process, obviously." So he sent the rim back to the US and gave me a new one. Not bad customer care. I'm a pretty happy Bontrager rider again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
co
a Cross-Country Rider
from Espoo, Finland Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Weaknesses:
Didn't do its job.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 230.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale M2000, Manitou 4.
Bottom Line:
Maybe it was just bad luck, but my Mustang ASYM rear got trashed in no time. And it didn't get abused that much, I think. I had great hopes for it (because of the price and the comments by the local wheel-builder), but got very disappointed instead. One of the spokes almost tore an eyelet out of the rim, and I can't think of any reasonable explanation.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Olde Bike Scribe
a Cross-Country Rider
from Staatsburg, Ny Date Reviewed: January 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Had it a year and never had to true it.
Weaknesses:
None noted thus far
Similar Products Used:
Mavic
Bike Setup:
Lite Speed Obed with USE Seat post and Girvin Shock
Bottom Line:
I have had one of these on my rear wheel for a year and have not had to true it yet. AND I weigh 200 lbs and ride some fairly rough single track. Previously I was having rear wheels trued twice a year. It appears simply offsetting the holes is the solution to strenghting a rear wheel.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross-Country Rider
from Elkhart In Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Still looking
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Rim stays true Decent weight Easy to build Durable Cheaper than comparable Mavic
Weaknesses:
umm... umm...
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 217
Bike Setup:
Sachs Quartz/14-15/Asym Must NP/Ti/Asym Must Machine Tech/14-15/MustOn 3 different bikes...
Bottom Line:
GREAT RIMS! I had the shop build up my first one (The Sachs Rear) and after over a year on that one, and a few wrecks. I've maybe had to true the wheel twice. Its still round, and still true, and without noticble wear on the sidewalls. Can't ask for much more. Technically should be 15 stars, five for each...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle,WA Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
epic
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
strong, light, ceramic coating is durable
Weaknesses:
Price for the ceramics are high
Similar Products Used:
Powerbeam, 517's, Laserbeam
Bike Setup:
Hardtail, Judy Hardtail, Rigid
Bottom Line:
I've had a pair of Mustangs built on World Class hubs for 2 years and they have stayed very true after many broken spokes, and general hammering. They will not however hold up to being stressed between two trees and bent around the rear triangle. The rim did not split however and was able to be slammed into submission for the ride back to the car sans brakes.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steve
a Cross-Country Rider
from austin, tx Date Reviewed: September 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
city park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
light weight Grippy ceramic
Weaknesses:
low quality under-built
Bottom Line:
I expected alot from these rims, but am disappointed. One rim came with ceramic missing, and the other has chips after just a month of use. Don't buy them if you live somewhere rocky. They also haven't stayed true. They are deformed around the eyelets and dent easily. Mine have a big hop and bulge at the welded seam. Thanks, Trek.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daren
a Cross-Country Rider
from Washington Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
all of the above
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
light stronge red :c)
Weaknesses:
uh.... cant think of any
Similar Products Used:
corvair, (however you spell it)
Bike Setup:
fisher big sur judy XC
Bottom Line:
these are very good rims, i got mine for $50 and it red so it goes with my bike! they are ASYm whcih makes them even better
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don
a Racer
from Carlisle, PA Date Reviewed: September 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
24 hours of Canaan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Strong, light, excellent braking, ASYM builds a stiff, responsive wheel
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Sun CR 17, 18, Mavic 217s, lots of Mavics, Sun 0 degree light
Bike Setup:
Custom Sniper 853 hardtail, Raceface, XTR, Atom Bomb, front wheel is Real hub/Valiant radial laced with butted DT spokes and alloy nips, rear is XTR/Mustang with radial lacing on non drive/3 cross on drive using butted DT spokes and alloy nips
Bottom Line:
ASYM (offset drilling) makes for a stronger wheel at comparable rim weight due to reduced dish. Very noticeable on climbs and sprints when compared to similar rims with normal drilling. Rear wheel is more responsive to pedal imput, and Keith's rims have been tough and offer the best braking I've yet experienced. This wheelset has been totally bombproof, has never needed truing (even after five laps at 24 hours of Canaan and entire race season), and are seriously light. Plus, I can have this wheelset easily serviced unlike some specialty wheesets such as the Mavics. Easily 5 flaming things.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stacey Knight
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Antonio, Texas Date Reviewed: August 11, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong, light, tall sidewall.
Weaknesses:
Tall sidewall.
Similar Products Used:
Matrix, Araya
Bike Setup:
Homegrown Factory FS, DT Spokes, CK Hubset
Bottom Line:
Very light and stiff rim. Always reliable and very hard to knock out of true - even on the rocky Texas trails I frequent.Paradoxically, their only down side is also an upside - the tall sidewalls. This makes fixing flats a bit more challenging but makes brake adjustment a snap.A great product - highly recommended.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mac
a Cross-Country Rider
from nc Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999
Favorite Trail:
iron mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
light stronger than 517
Weaknesses:
not too many
Similar Products Used:
various matrix 517 222
Bike Setup:
cro-mo hardtail judy xc
Bottom Line:
These rims are a much better value than 517's and stay truer. However I have only had them three months and had them trued twice and I recently tacoed them. This may sound bad but three months is pretty good for me. I will probably buy another pair, since they are such an excellent value and extremely strong.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C Simon
a Cross-Country Rider
from Houston Texas Date Reviewed: August 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Ant Hills (West Houston)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very Stong Rim, ASYM is great on the rear. Cannot damage this one.
Weaknesses:
Absolutely none!!!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Syncros,Sunn
Bike Setup:
UNIVEGA DS 900 with a Manitou FS, LP composites seatpost & Bar, SACHS Power Grip Extremes, XT & Syncros Drivetain
Bottom Line:
Great Rims, extemely stong and lightweight. Able to take hits and keep on going with minimal attention. I have the set which is black with black spokes and black Bontrager hubs. They look great and stay true. I will stick with Bontrager Mustangs, no need to use anything else. They are a great buy for the money.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick Vera
a Cross-Country Rider
from Galloway, NJ Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Smithville & Parven
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light Strong Cool Looking Asym Rear, Radial Front
Weaknesses:
Nothing
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Corvair
Bike Setup:
Trek 7000
Bottom Line:
Good company, nice looking, a nice guage for the spokes, strong, and for about $200, it's definatly affordable.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ Date Reviewed: June 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Los Burros - Pinetop
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Strong rim, relatively light weight & good looks. Asymmetrical rear.
Great Wheelset at a great price. Pricepoint Front & Rear, XT hubs for $180.00 + Freight. Ridden hard for the last month and still as true as the day I put them on. Gotta love it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kabby Hong
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver, Colorado Date Reviewed: May 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
White Ranch
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Ceramic rim provides tremendous stopping power; reliable, stiff, relatively inexpensive
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Mavic
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Obed; Atom Bomb, XT kit
Bottom Line:
I'm not an expert on wheels but I haven't had any problems with my Mustangs. In fact I've noticed that the wheels track true when the trail turns nasty and the ceramic rims really help the brakes slow you down. I just came back from Moab and I ride some tough trails out here in Denver and I haven't had a problem yet. Great wheel at a great price. I would recommend this wheel to you average weekend rider looking for a solid piece of equipment that they don't have to worry about. If you're a weight freak or budding racer then there are better, more expensive wheels out there.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
danny
a Cross-Country Rider
from denver Date Reviewed: May 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
mountain lion
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
strait as an arrow
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
mavic, torrelli, wtb
Bike Setup:
schwinn homegrown hardtail w/ manitou x-vert
Bottom Line:
hammered on and they have never even seen a spoke wrench one of the best rime I have ridden
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wes
a Cross-Country Rider
from duluth, mn Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
pretty light but very strong. defenitely feels stiffer than my old ritchies
Weaknesses:
some other colors would be cool
Similar Products Used:
araya rithcie
Bottom Line:
After reading about mavic, rhyno lites and these i picked these. The asymetric design sounds like a good idea to me. i took the wheel that my lbs built for me (Dt comp spokes triple crossed with a lx hub) and did some trials. still true and no flat spots. dropped it off a four ft wall and it was fine. can't say i really noticed much of a difference riding it on the trails, the ritchies were good rims but i can tell when i start hopping on it that it's stiffer sideways than my old one. KB's web page is really cool too. i was very impressed with his ideas on how to make products that last and are built right. the rim was reasonably priced too. and it's way lighter than a rhyno lite. this is a good rim and i'd recommend it to anyone.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
=DJC=
a Cross-Country Rider
from SFO Date Reviewed: May 6, 1999
Favorite Trail:
El Corte de Madera
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Price, looks and Quality
Weaknesses:
KB Sold his company to Trek
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey Rock WCS Mavic 217
Bike Setup:
98 A1 FS Rock stopper XT components Ready-to-replace RS Indy
Bottom Line:
I purchased a set of these from Bike World in TX and am very happy with the product and Bike World's service. The Wheelset came well set up and ready to roll (spokes tight and adjusted). I've put 600 miles on them over many bumpy single tracks and they are still holding very true. The Rims have taken a few strong hits from my 215 lb and just bounce back - They look better than my old Ritcheys too. For anyone seeking a replacement wheelset/rims, these are a pretty good buy - Less Rear spoke offset looks funny but performs, nicely machined sidewalls keep your braking smooth too. =DJC=
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross-Country Rider
from NY Date Reviewed: May 6, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Finger Lakes
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Strog, light and anodized finish
Weaknesses:
?what?
Similar Products Used:
zac 19
Bike Setup:
98 fisher kaitai w/Manitou sx ti
Bottom Line:
These are awsome. I like freeriding on my HT and these have taken whatever i hit them on and are still very strait and true. Great wheels for the money. would get 10 stars if possible.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Bender
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mankato Date Reviewed: May 3, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Super Strong Super Light
Weaknesses:
Yeah right
Bike Setup:
Klein Mantra Race
Bottom Line:
I've had these wheel's for a while now and I still can't say enough good things about them. I am 200+lbs and I rid technical single track and commute. I had to true them once after a really bad crash otherwise they have stayed super true I've gotten pinch flats on curbs and the ceramic is still in like new condition. DON'T HESITATE
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross-Country Rider
from Idaho Date Reviewed: April 30, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
Mustangs arrived out of true, but not Bontrager's issue. Can feel they are very strong after 5 rides and the 3 box structure takes the stress out of those unexpected rock and root hits. Large brake surface made pad ajustments easy and can't even find the seams. 10g weight penalty over Mavics easy to take to get an extra season of wear, plus a few bucks for other items, and aforementioned stress relief. Go Keith!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guido
a Cross-Country Rider
from Netherlands Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Wherever I can climb
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The offset spokes in the rear wheel is a great idea. The wheel feels very true and stiff.
Weaknesses:
Untill now? Absolutely none.
Similar Products Used:
Several Mavic's, Araya, Wolber.
Bike Setup:
Klein, Manitou and a lot of light stuff.
Bottom Line:
Great looking rims, laced with Black DT revolution spokes and red Hugi hubs, making a very light (-1600 grams) wheelset.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ed
a Cross-Country Rider
from Apex, NC Date Reviewed: April 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Road
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Seem light Extremely strong/tough Resistant to brake pad wear
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Does it reaaly matter??
Bike Setup:
97' Klein Attitude w/ Judy XC
Bottom Line:
So far these things have been outstanding. I have beat the hell out of my wheels/tires, but the only damage has been a few flats. I had one bent spoke, but I think that was more a of a result from careless positioning on a bike rack, not trail damage. After tacoing one of my rims on my old bike, I am happy as OJ Simpson right now - and these rims came OEM!!! Good job Keith B. and whoever speced out my Klein..
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ed
a Cross-Country Rider
from novi, Mi Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Strong, good looking, light
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
I have had these wheels for about six months now. The original Araya rims that came with my bike needed to be trued every three to five rides. I have not trued my Mustangs once since I bought them. I ride very agressive, three to five times a week and I weigh 240 lbs! All I can say is that if these rims hold up to the abuse I put them through, nobody can break them.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeffo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bellingham, WA Date Reviewed: March 24, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
This has been a great rim in terms of trueness and stability. It requires very little maintenance and is strong in the rough. However, after 6 months of riding NW singletrack I blew apart both the front and rear with circumfrential fractures on the braking surface. I've worn out a lot of rims by brake wear, but this felt premature (the sidewalls hadn't dished significantly). I just picked up a ceramic version of the Mustang for the back and will give it a try. Overall they seem like good performers considering the low price. Just a bit of a question on quality control and/or durability.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Brush/Gap Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Strong and light
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Mavic's
Bike Setup:
Bontrager Race Lite /Manitou
Bottom Line:
Cheap price compared to Mavic, and others, lighter, stronger, and very durable. Keith built a solid wheel here with this ASYM design.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dale Steel
a cross-country rider
from MS Date Reviewed: February 22, 1999
Bottom Line:
About 8 months ago I purchased a set of the Bontrager Mustang ceramic rims with DT spokes and XTR hubs.They really were great for a short while and then the ceramic coating started bubbling and coming off.This left areas with ceramic coating and areas with out.This caused the brakes to pulsate.I tried e-mailing Bontrager 3 times ,once when it started....no reply....as it got worse...no replys.These wheels say Bontrager on them and thats why I did'nt bother the Mail order shop I bought them from.I can check these rim everday and more of the ceramic coating begins to bubble up and fall off......and as you might have guessed they are no longer on my bike.... there just doing this sitting in the garage!I cannot recommend these rims or the companys service and this is the first time I have ever given a bad review to a product but I feel they deserve it!These rims stayed true but that all.This was a three hundred dollar mistake!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony D
a cross-country rider
from Vancouver, WA Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999
Bottom Line:
Simply put, this is the best damn rim I have ever ridden or worked on. It is light, durable and just buttery to work on. I have the non-Asym (less weight) laced 2x from and rear and am around the dbl century mark weight wise. In the last 2 years I think I've only had to true this rim maybe a half dozen times and it was a quick job at that. Five flaming pickles
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crash
a cross-country rider
from Radford, VA Date Reviewed: February 17, 1999
Bottom Line:
I've been riding a mustang Ft. rim for about a year now, radial laced to a STX/RC hub. I weigh about 150lbs, ride fairly hard, and have only trued it two or three times since I bought the suckers. I'd almost expect it to outlast my bike! The best test so far was accidentally running it full speed into a concrete irragation ditch (blind until AFTER the jump) which resulted in a nice quarter-gainer. Miraculously the wheel took the full impact with no flat spots, no dings, and not a bit out of true. This rim is a masterpiece. Five dead horses since it's the best damn wheel I've ridden
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marty Cmiral
a cross-country rider
from Richmond, B.C. Date Reviewed: January 31, 1999
Bottom Line:
I must say that these rims just rule.....first of all the color is cool...I got the blue/grey anod. to match the XTR hubs.....I have the mustang in the front and the ASYM in the back...they are good strong wheels, when built properly....the people that are complaining, obviously had the wheels built by inexperienced wheelbuilders, cause if they are built by a pro, they will last forever, well if you hang the bike on the wall as a display piece, but generally until the rimwalls blow out on ya. I have had a lot of luck with these wheels, I only had to touch them up a couple times during the break in time, but after they were nice and broken in, they require ABSOLUTELY no maintainence......I took the stuff off of 8-12 foot drops, with nothing in the line of bendage or flat spotting....No cracks, nothing....I would reccomend these rims to anyone...they are a very valuable investment for all levels of riders :)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bobdog
a weekend warrior
from central IL Date Reviewed: January 12, 1999
Bottom Line:
I bought the ceramic mustangs,this was my first experience with ceramic rims and I had always rode trek or mavic rims.I use the dual compound WTB V brake pads.This setup is killer but if I would have known that ceramic rims dont get dirty and black like conventional rims I would have bought these years ago.Why doesnt anyone mention this fact? My riding partner saw how clean these wheels stay and he forgot about buying anything else.Yes they do stop better in ice, snow and wet conditions BUT STILL NOT GETTING DIRTY BLACK! Do yourself a favor and have Colorado Cyclist build a set for you.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Hinman
a weekend warrior
from Columbia, MD Date Reviewed: December 11, 1998
Bottom Line:
I bought a 98 Trek 8500 in April with the mustangs. after 4 months a crack developed radially under the rim tape that was about 5 inchs long. The effect is that when the tire is inflated the rim develops a bulge (big brake pulse). Yesterday I notice a pulse again, and sure enough there was a crack about 2 inches long. I am not hard on my wheels but I do commute about 3000 miles a year. I got about 1100 miles out of the first rim, and about 800 miles out of the second rim. Trek did give my a store credit of $130 and I bought the Mavic 517 with XTR hubs as an upgrade. I you feel a brake pulse mark the spot, deflate the tire and check again. If the pulse is gone lift the rim tape and look at the crease in the aluminium that crossses the spoke holes. I took the plastic end of a chainwhip and twisted it in the rim to open the crack up so that It could be crearly seem. The Asym is great idea but the quality control sucks.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a racer
from joplin, mo Date Reviewed: November 22, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've been riding the indestructible Sun Rhyno Lites for months now, but my rear wheel just got trashed by a Ford Ranger. I'm eyeing the Asym, because it weighs 120 grams less than the Rhyno Lite, and am wondering if anyone out there has had a chance to compare the two rims for durability. I'm hard on wheels, and I don't want to throw my money away. I'll post 4 stars for now because the design seems brilliant.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a weekend warrior
from Oklahoma City Date Reviewed: November 18, 1998
Bottom Line:
Have had these rims (offset rear) for one year. Built w/ White FX and 14 g. spokes.Never ever ever been trued. We ride aggressive, rocky, rooty, ugly crap here. All my prior rims needed truing once per month, at least. I've never touched these, ever ever ever. They are the ultimate, and when I wear the braking surface down, I'm getting more of the same rims.Did I mention they've never been trued?
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ED
a cross-country rider
from NC Date Reviewed: November 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
These rims came stock on my Klein Attitude (laced to LX hubs). I've given them a punishing over the last 4 months and the've taken it in stride. Just spent the past weekend riding in Pisgah going down some crazy rock descents where my wheels were hammered good (tubes were underinflated as well). I took a look at them when I got back and they were still almost perfectly true. Every month I have to tighten maybe 1 or 2 spokes a half a turn - but that's it. I've ridden Mavic 217's, 221's and 517's and none have held up like the Mustangs. I'll be riding K.B.'s rims from now on. Excellent rim - even better bargain - if it doesn't deserve 5 chiles I don't know what does.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gooch
a cross-country rider
from Sacramento, CA Date Reviewed: November 2, 1998
Bottom Line:
Laced up a Mustang ASYM to a Shimano LX hub... touched it up one time after a few weeks of riding and it's been perfectly straight since (about 6 months). Besides riding the trails near my home on weekends, I commute 5 days a week on it, putting on about 125 miles a week. Commuter miles might not sound very hard on a wheel but I carry a rack trunk with all my junk in it and run 70 psi tires while riding in the dark (which means I hit more stuff than I would in the daylight) so they take a pretty good beating. Anyway they've held up perfectly and seem to be getting about average sidewall wear. Good solid rim that does what it's supposed to. That's all I ask.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BEn
a racer
from Alaska Date Reviewed: October 20, 1998
Bottom Line:
These rims are some of the best that i've tried. if not the best. i used to have mavic 217's f/r. with xt hubs. after having to take my wheels to be trued after every other ride and going through 3 sets of rims i decided to go out and buy some mustangs. only had to true them once yet. this summer alone i put 1600 miles on them and they're still going strong. i accidentally received 2 rear rims but i used them both anyways. ha ha ha.....quick summary----->buy them!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keith Walker
a cross-country rider
from Spokane, WA Date Reviewed: October 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
I put the Mustang's on a year ago, and they stayed true the whole time they were on. I'm no lightweight (200+ lbs), so staying true is great -- BUT, the braking surface has been slowly wearing out all this time until the other day I finally dented the rear rim in some rocks. I think it dented because there's just not as much metal there as when the rim was new. A new mustang rim once a year? Might be ok for some of you but it seems excessive to me. Only three chili's, but with the qualifier that these might last much longer for non-clydesdales.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Garner of the Hill People
a cross-country rider
from Branson, Mo Date Reviewed: October 18, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've been riding the hell out of the non-Asym ceramic Mustangs for 4 months. I got these cheap through Supergo laced to some XT hubs. Not holding out a lot of hope for mail-order-close-out-machine-built-wheelsets, I was a little leery. But, after touring much of the Ouchia Mountains in Arkansas and the Ozarks mountains in Missouri, I might as well have thrown away my trusty spoke wrench. These wheels have never been on the stand and are as straight as an arrow. And I'm not a poseur, these wheels have seen weekly action by a 165 pond bruiser of an idiot on wheels. A quality product that has outshone my original expectations.Roll out 5 big ones.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clint Matthews
a weekend warrior
from Atlanta, Georgia Date Reviewed: October 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
These rims came standard on my new Hoo Koo E Koo. So far, they have stayed ture, have not dented or lossened up on me. Georgia trails are full of roots, rocks and wash outs just waiting to crunch the wheels of a rider off balance. The Mustangs hang in there. Off set lacing is strong in the rear and radial lacing up front is light and strong too. Great weel set for the money. Don't spend more. These are light enough and hold up really well. Great breaking surface too for my Avids.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mb
a cross-country rider
from mankato, mn Date Reviewed: October 9, 1998
Bottom Line:
Had a pair of mustang ceramic wheels built up to look and perform better than crossmax. Black wheelsmith db spokes xtr grey anodized rims black spline drive nipples and xtr hubs. They haven't gone out of true yet, the ceramic coating hasn't chipped or flaked off and I'm a fat-ass that rides hard. I've put 500 miles on them this summer on/off road, and I can't believe that someone would pay $300 more for french garbage when its obvious that the bonti's are all that and a bag of chips. Five flaming peppers because mavics are overpriced piles of moose excrement in comparison.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C E O
a racer
from Florence, KY Date Reviewed: October 8, 1998
Bottom Line:
Dollar-for-dollar, this is a great rim. I have only run this rim on the rear and am sold on the off-set spoke concept. It has definitely needed less adjusting and arguably reduces dish, thus enhancing control. This rim proved to be an improvement over the Mavic 221 and 217 that I have used in the past.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Ferguson
a weekend warrior
from Calgary, Alberta Date Reviewed: September 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
These rims came on my Trek Y22, Easily the only part on the bike that is a piece of junk! Dented the rear within the first month of riding and now, after 3 months have at least four dents. I rode my last bike for two year before I saw a dented rim. I can't wait to get ride of these rims!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Psycho
a cross-country rider
from WSU, Pullman WA Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998
Bottom Line:
Iv'e only had this rim for qa week now, and after readin all te reviews, decided to follow some advice, I chose this rim as my first wheel build project. using DT 14g straight spokes, and DT Al nips...this wheel went together without a hitch! No problems at all! Only one difficulty was in auing the amount of Dish, seeing as how I didn't have shop tools, it took a little while to gude where it needed to be centered. I do believe this rim to be very easy to build with, and for 45$ US, my ASYM Mustang as an XTR grey center, stainless eyelets, and the ASYM design. I would recommend this wheel to anyone looking to start there first wheel build! This rim seems to true far better then my previous 217, which never stayed true ( maybee a machine built?.?) I will post later with my durability testing, I ive this rim 4 flamers, for design, practicallity and reasonable price. 5, if/when it olds up. Have fun, and Ride On!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aggressive!!!
a weekend warrior
from Nac-nac... Date Reviewed: August 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
I´ve had these rims for about 4 months and I built them myself... They have only needed truing after a few rides when the spokes have settled in... Anyway I think these rims are quite good, durable, light and absorbs bumps pretty well(depends on how you lace them), and are kinda´ nicelooking (got the black ones) five chilies to these wonders!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jay bird
a cross-country rider
from manchester N.H. Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
I think these rims are some of the best rims i have ever had. I have never had to tru the front wheel and very llittle on the rear wheel. I have had them for a few months now adn they are very fast and light. I recomend these rims for anyone who has had problems with th SUPS.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Manny
a racer
from Florida Date Reviewed: August 17, 1998
Bottom Line:
What can I say about these rims that hasn't already been said. They are rock solid. I've had them for 3 months, I rides super hard. Not even had to have them trued. Definitely worth the money. Next time you'r in the market for a wheelset, build some Bontrages onto whatever hubs you buy, You won't regret it, I didn't.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dom
a racer
from NY Date Reviewed: August 11, 1998
Bottom Line:
I havent used Bontrager rims yet, I made the mistake of buying the new Mavics. But I do have Matrix rims, the Trek brand rim which comes out of the same factory and uses the same process as the brontagers. These rims are awesome1 They hold up to anything and stay true (when built right). They last a long time and their ceramic rims last forever. Buy Bontragers or Matrix instead if Mavic. Down with Mavic! LONG LIVE THE BONTRAGER/MATRIX RIM HERITAGE!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a cross-country rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: July 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
These rims are ROCK SOLID. I have raced with these rims and have ridden very rough with them. The 7005 al Mustang Asym (asymetrical) rim is a true winner. I have had my rim for 3 months now and have NEVER had it trued since the day after i bought it. The design is made for an 8 speed rear casette and basically improves the stregnth and the control by bringing the rim in better alignment with the hub. Its also VERY easy to true these rims. Not only will you love it but you will spend less time sitting at home while your rims are in the shop getting trued. Anyone who rates this rim with less then five shankin' peppers either weighs 400lbs and abuses their bike and should go motocross or just does not know the quality in these peices of work.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a cross-country rider
from Columbus, Ohio Date Reviewed: July 4, 1998
Bottom Line:
Mustang Asym. 32 rear. Been riding these for about two months or so. (Laced 3X to Sachs Quartz with 14-15) They have needed truing twice, the first ride, the second ride, and then haven't needed truing since.Easy to true, the shop said easy to build (didn't want to have a rear be my first wheel build.), and cheap (-$20 from comparable mavics). Only complaint is the rear has a slight clicking noise. (Something loose in the rim itself, just like the M217 on the front.)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a weekend warrior
from Tucson Date Reviewed: June 30, 1998
Bottom Line:
I bought a set laced with 14g DT spokes on XT hubs from Bikeworld. The rims have stayed straight and true for the past 2 months even under my 250lbs. The front is laced radially and the rear is 4-cross. The finish is good the braking surface is very nice and the overall quality of the rim is outstanding. I bought from Bontrager because of his web site. The man is obviously an engineer and it shows in the articles he writes for his page and his products. Reading his commentaries on rim building theory and techniques convinced me that his rims are the best quality/feature/price compromise out there. I highly recommend them.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marc
a weekend warrior
from Chico Ca USA Date Reviewed: June 4, 1998
Bottom Line:
Great Rim.Easiest rim I've ever laced up. After several hundred miles of hard riding the Mustang A SYM have yet to come out of true. If you have ever ridden the Chico area, you know how rough the lava is. It has a super stiff feel, totally changed the way my bike feels for the better. Great rim for the money. Big welded and machined brake surface.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barron
a racer
from Wisconsin Date Reviewed: May 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
I just built up a rear wheel with a Mustang Asym rim, 15 gauge spokes, and XTR hub. I've got about 300 abusive miles on it so far, and aside from re-tensioning I haven't had any problems whatsoever. This wheel hasn't gone out of true at all. This is rather suprising for two reasons: (1) I'm extremely abusive on rear wheels and (2) this is the first wheel I've ever built! This wheel was soooooo easy to build, even for my first one. The Mustang Asym rules!!....beats the heck out of the Mavic that I trashed last year.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Webb Phillips
a cross-country rider
from New York City Date Reviewed: May 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
Mustangs are rad XC wheels. I had a rear ASYM built onto an XT hub and I proceeded to hammer away at it as hard as I could for a month, jumping of 4' ledges onto cememnt, off staircases, etc... Not only did they not dent, they also didn't go out of true AT ALL. I have free truing whenever I want, and I never needed it.Unfortunately, a few days ago, I jumped up some steps at about 25 mph, and the wheel hit the sharp corner of the top step at a nasty angle. My 300g thorn-proof tube got snake bite! The wheel was still true, except for a major dent that's making the spoke at that location completely tensionless.Just the same, the Mustangs are the best XC rims I've used, and have withstood more than any others I've tried.Webb
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a weekend warrior
from ND Date Reviewed: May 21, 1998
Bottom Line:
Ok just got a set of mustangs on my bike. These are great XC rims. Light, strong and stiff. Only had them for a few weeks. I will go ride them and get back to you on how I feel about them? If you own a set have fun and enjoy. These aren't downhill rims. Just remember that folks. These are made for XC. I'm outta here.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a weekend warrior
from Baltimore, MD Date Reviewed: May 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
These are some of the best rims for the money. THey are extremely light, very strong, and preform extremely well. I just ordered my second set, with XTR hubs and DT 14/15, with Bontrager Jones F/R for the less than perfect riding days. I've put about 100 miles on the current Mustangs (XT, 14/15, Revolt SS) and have had no problems, except for stopping on loose gravel - a tire limitation. The rims are great and surely beat Mavic for the price. A high 5 from me.
$ 49.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
