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.
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.
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).
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.
Submitted by
Mossy
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002
Strengths: Durable, reasonably light, ceramic surface works well to improve braking friction
Weaknesses: none
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.
Similar Products Used: numerous Mavic rims, Trek Matrix
Bike Setup: Klein Adept race
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from El Cerrito
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2002
Strengths: Stays true, reasonably light weight
Weaknesses: Seems to bend at the tire bead on bigger hits
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.
Weaknesses: NONE, Ryan's doing something wrong or laced em up himself.
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!
Bike Setup: Marin MT. Vision Pro, Full XTR, Marz Z.1 Alloy
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Submitted by
ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from provo utah
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001
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.
Bottom Line:
Unless your a 75 pound cross country type, dont waste your time or money on these.
Strengths: Lightweight, tough,reasonably priced and good looks
Weaknesses: None
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.
Submitted by
Paul Lanhart
a Cross Country Rider
from Burnsville
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001
Strengths: Very strong rim, stays true even during hard rides, good braking surface, excellent customer service!
Weaknesses: none, considering the customer service I received
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.
Bike Setup: Kona, XT throughout, Conti tires, Rock Shox Judy, Kore stem and handlebar
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Submitted by
Phil Ayers
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
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.
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.
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkhart
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001
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
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.
