Submitted by
milwaukeehaze
a Cross Country Rider
from Glendale, WI Date Reviewed: June 6, 2009
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Online bike shop
Strengths:
Lightweight, stays true
Weaknesses:
Welding(?)
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager
Bike Setup:
GIANT NRS C2, hope pro II hubs, DT Swiss revolution spokes
Bottom Line:
I have like these rims that last 2 years I have ridden them as they are lightweight and have stayed very true after racing cross country. Yes, here's the "but" to this... Today, after doing about 15 miles of cross country fun I was cleaning my ride and as I was spinning the rear wheel in the stand, I kept hearing a "clinking" sound coming from the rim. After removing, tube, tire and rim strip, I see through the spoke holes a rectangular piece of metal that was sliding around just underneath the rim weld. I searched online and found a few others with the same problem, and that this piece basically clips around the welded seam inside of the rim. However, I am not sure if I can ride with this piece loose, or can have my LBS fix, or have any warranty claim with MAVIC. I would welcome any suggestions. So, after never having no problems with my old Bontragers over 4 years, I am disappointed with MAVIC right now. Last but not least...I weigh in at 170 lbs and ride ONLY cross country and have taken, at the most, a one-foot drop.
If I can't get them fixed, it's on to the DT Swiss rims as DT Swiss has always spelled "quality" in my book.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Green Line Velo
a Racer
from Cambridge, MA Date Reviewed: April 10, 2009
the rim weld is the weakest link. if the setup is not perfect and rim not true it folds like a house of cards.
Similar Products Used:
2002 XC 517 rim (split rim longitudinally) 2006 XC 517 rim (unable to be trued perfectly)
Bike Setup:
1 season on a Specialized Rockhopper FSR (broke frame) then put on to 2008 Specialized Epic Marathon FSR parts on both were Reba Race fork, Avid Juicy 7, XT cranks, SLX fd, X9 rd and shifters, Race face post, stem and bars.
Bottom Line:
the 2007 XC 717 rims were laced with DT Swiss comp spokes to a XT hub. Some unknown force caused the rim weld to crack open causing a flat spot circumfrentially and warping longitudinally. The spoke nipple broke inside of the rim causing the spoke hole to "spider" thus no more platform for the spoke nipple flange. I have ridden on these rims only 6 times and raced only 3 times in 2.5 years due to injuries and broken bikes. Loved the rims when they are perfect but Mavic mountain rims have a history of being busted by spokes. Im a 200lb racer who destroys frames, wheelsets, shoes, peals, bottom brackets, forks, femurs, wrists, clavicles and AC joints on fairly tame XC trails. The front rim is still good though give me another month and ill destroy that one too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CruzDemon
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, On, Can Date Reviewed: January 25, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Glen Major System
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
+ Light (measured-in at 395g on the scale?)
+ Strong
+ Low Price (~$50 per rim)
+ Great Profile
Weaknesses:
- Nil
Similar Products Used:
Mavic, Bontrager, Alex...
Bike Setup:
DEAN Colonel, XT, XTR, Race Face...
Bottom Line:
Fantastic rim! The X717 is nice and light, strong, and stiff when built properly.
I have mine laced-up with DT Comp and 775's which leaves me with a very reliable, strong, relatively light, free-rolling set of wheels.
I ride quite aggressively, carry tons of speed, and really put my XC parts through a good deal of trauma. That said, (bearing in mind one is performing regular wheel maintenance)the 717's are stiff in the corners, accelerate very well and need little attention to stay happy.
Definitely recommended
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ering
a Weekend Warrior
from cali Date Reviewed: January 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
diablo
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
pp
Strengths:
Light, super cheap in US, durable, stays true.
Weaknesses:
None after 2 years, exc maybe the pin.
Similar Products Used:
Just about everyone's.
Bike Setup:
XC HT and AM6"
Bottom Line:
I weigh over 210 and I carry a pack. I ride trails with rock gardens and moderate drops. I have beat on these rims and they work still perfectly. I would not use these...XC lightweight rims for hucking, flat 3 foot drops, jumping off cliffs, but for anything else they are the bargain of the decade. As far as scratching, are you nuts?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ceejayvee
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: October 30, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$55.00
Strengths:
Light, very strong for a xc rim
Weaknesses:
Cost.
Bit of a pig to build/true/dish.
Scratch really easy.
Similar Products Used:
717/517 disc & rim, 321, 317
Bike Setup:
Bianchi, Marzocchi MCX ECC, Hope XC/Sapim Race/317, LX train, XT Discs, RF post n bar, On-One stem
Bottom Line:
If you don't build or re-true yourself and price is no problem, get these.
Very durable, takes a drop onto tarmac of at least 4ft (possibly more?) with an 11 1/2 stone rider and stayed true.
UK rrp: £38, silver/disc, the blk are £42! The 317 RRP is £22
If you build your own, or true them yourself, get the 317's. I prefer pinned and sleeve rims as I build my own wheels and they are easier to build with. Can't get even spoke tension around the wield area.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dantheman762
a Cross Country Rider
from Uxbridge, Ontario, CANADA Date Reviewed: September 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
TJ's Way, Walker Woods
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Spoke-O-Motion, Newm
Strengths:
Light weight, combined with incredible strength. Best weight/durability combo.
Weaknesses:
Might be a little too light for riders over 170lbs, if doing anything more than XC racing.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Select rims, but these aren't similar and don't compare.
Bike Setup:
2007 Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe, Fox RP3, Manitou Comp Air (Fox will be my next upgrade), XT 770 disc hubs/DT-Swiss Super-Comp spokes/717 rims/Crank Brothers split skewers with Continental Speed King Super-Sonic 2.1 on the rear and Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evolution 2.1 on the front, XT 770 hydro brakes (on back-order), King headset, XT 760 Low-Normal ("rapid-rise") rear D, LX front D, SRAM 990 11-32 cassette, SRAM 991 Cross-Step chain, XT 760 crankset with TIME ATAC ROC XS pedals, Easton EC-70 zero-offset seatpost and monkey-lite high-rise bars, LX shifters, ergon grips, WTB Devo saddle.
Bottom Line:
Mavic XC 717s are by far the BEST compromise for weight and durability. No contest here. Even if you do moderate stunts and drops (3 feet) and weight less than 170lbs, these things will stay true - just take care of them with spoke tension and you'll love them. Not bad for a cross-country race rim. Also the best way to go if you aren't 100% sold on Mavic's hubs and not sure about buying their complete ($$$) wheel-sets.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dek london
a Cross Country Rider
from birmingham/london Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
swinley woods, chicksands, hamstead heath mini trail jumps
the best santa cruz chameleon in the world, mint green custom paint, revelations 426, xtr, hope hubs, answer bars, intense ti seat, sub 26 lbs.
Bottom Line:
i only weigh 13 stone, so im light, maybe thats why ive never had any serious problems with mavic rims.i ride all the time.keep your wheels on the trail, land jumps smooth, and keep your tyre pressure spot on and checked every week.
the last pair i had lasted 2.5 years on my old chameleon, on white industries fr hub and a middleburn rear, and i only needed them trued twice and theyre still going on my dmr trailster so ill run them into the ground.
will always use mavics as ive been riding on them since i started riding 15 years ago
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cracker69
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitefish Bay WI USA Date Reviewed: August 31, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Crystal Ridge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
bike wheel warehouse
Strengths:
Weight, durability, looks
Weaknesses:
no noticeable problems
Similar Products Used:
Sun Rhyno Lites (great but too fat), Sun DS1-XC (good but to skinny), Alex DH 18 and 19 (very good), Bontrager Mustangs (also very good)
These are nice rims well made no nonsense and strong without too much beef. Two weeks ago I fried my senses in a local cross country race and left the front wheel resting against my vehicle and attempted to drive away. The wheel fell beneath the front tire and I backed over it. In an attempt to correct my error I then drove forward and back over the whhel. SO I drove over the wheel twice in a mid-sized SUV. The rim wasn't even bent, the skewer was shot and the brake rotor was as well but the rim and hub were completely fine - not even a mm out of whack and no evident of trauma. I've ridden it twice since without issue - I'm convinced......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
methcohna
a Cross Country Rider
from Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Evans Cycles
Strengths:
Light, circular shape
Weaknesses:
Unbelievable weak, dents, splits and feels flexy.
Similar Products Used:
DT Swiss (very good) Mavix 323 (i think, this was also quite good)
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
I have had the rim 3-4 weeks and I am taking it off to replace already. I cant believe how poor this rim is, I have had a different (older) model similar to this rim that after a year of thrashing only had one tiny ding. The 313 now has 3 big dints and has split the rim, it easily buckles and feels really flexible.
I was on a tight budget when I bought the rim, but trust me, spend the extra money and get a DT Swiss, I am running that with a hope hub and its bombproof.
Uterly disappointed, just hope the bike shop refund my money!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Hills Ca. Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
five oaks Aliso
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
The Path
Strengths:
Like the silver option. Very hard to see rock ricochet scratches
Weaknesses:
underrated in strength
Similar Products Used:
517,321,317
Bike Setup:
over three thousand miles on them. First on a Santa Cruz Lt, now on a '08 Heckler
Bottom Line:
I weigh 200 pounds. I jump at the local ABA bmx track and I ride aggresively on rough trails with 3-5 foot drops and exposed rocks. The nipples are aluminum, the spokes are DTcomps, the hubs are a pro 2 front and King rear. I feel if you have a wheel builder who knows how to make them, this rim will give you the best of both worlds as long as you check your tire pressure before you ride and don't neglet them. They have come out of true for me twice, but my shop re-checked each spokes tension and trued them. That was about a year ago, and I feel the time they needed to break in. For my style of riding, I can't ask for a better rim.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Ontario Date Reviewed: November 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
many
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
light inexpensive rim, looks good and feels strong on your bike. My front wheel setup was around $300 plus tax with everything (details in the setup section)
Weaknesses:
none so far...
Similar Products Used:
a few...
Bike Setup:
wheel set up - Mavic XC 717 36 hole, laced with DT Swiss spokes, Hope Pro II Hub, 185 mm Avid rotor, Panaracer Fire XC Pro's and super light tube.
Bottom Line:
I really like this rim/wheel combo. I had to replace my front setup... I stupidly left it at the trailhead one day after a long ride... it started to rain and I rushed.. any way, I phoned a few LBS and one just happened to have this sort of random set up. Now that I've had a bit of time with it, I'm going to replace my rear wheel/rim with the equivalent equipment.
I would highly recommend any similar setup if you're doing any fairly aggressive XC biking... may not be the best with a hard tail or a heavy downhill bike. But its great with light to medium stunts and drops and medium to aggressive trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Madmaxx
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines Date Reviewed: November 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
solid lightweight materials...neat and simple black design. Perfect with Shimano XT hubs and DT Swiss Revolution spokes.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
american classic mtb 26, Alexrims DP17
Bike Setup:
Giant Anthem
Bottom Line:
Mavic 717 + Shimano Hubs + DT Swiss Revolution = Value for Money wheelset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Djaka Dwiputra
a Weekend Warrior
from Jakarta, Indonesia Date Reviewed: October 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
e-bay
Strengths:
One of the lightest rims 395 you can find very strong and Good value for money.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Bottom Line:
......Go get a pair!
Really very light and strong pair of fast wheels and a very great rim, even better laced to quality hubs like the Chris King. I've got DT revolution Spokes lacing mine and it will be perfect rims. Just put it on and forget abaout it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
caudex333
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Date Reviewed: May 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, clean looking
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Mavic, DT Swiss
Bottom Line:
Great rim. Super light and strong. Very similar to the DT Swiss 4.1d rim but the Mavic 717 is slightly wider and more resistent to tire roll in tight corners. Great rim.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Podlipnik
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light..(good rims)
Weaknesses:
Can be taken beyond xc for a 130-140 pound person with full suspention
Bike Setup:
Steel hardtale
Bottom Line:
Rode a steel hard tale with these rims. After about a year of use the front rim (hooked to a Manitou 5/6 inch fork) was in like new condition. The rear rim on the other hand had flat spots and Badly needed to be replaced. For perspective I mainly rode the culvert trail in auburn with all its sweet mini features...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
k3n!f
a Cross Country Rider
from Hobart, Tas, Aus Date Reviewed: January 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Cyclingo
Strengths:
Strong as hell, light as hell (395g), look great.
Weaknesses:
Uh.... pass.
Similar Products Used:
Deore disc hubs.
Bike Setup:
Merida HT, Fox Vanilla's, Juicy 7's, RaceFace Evolve etc.
Bottom Line:
Laced up to some Hope XC hubs these things are fantastic. I ride mostly XC but they have taken drops up to a meter on a hard tail which is a pretty good effort for an ultralight rim.
Buy 'em, fit 'em and love 'em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Corey Cassell
a Cross Country Rider
from Enumclaw Date Reviewed: January 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Black Diamond
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$190.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Light weight, strong, clean looking with nippled spoke holes
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Weinman
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance1 custom built, Marzo comp, XT throughout
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent cross country rim. It's light weight and plenty strong. Ignore the one detractor on this site who either got a badly built set of wheels or is abusing them. These are not downhill wheels, they are not intended for that, or for freeride. If you're taking 3 foot drops onto rocks you need something made for doing that. I've done plenty of riding on these with minimal truing needed. Any new set of wheels is going to need a tune up after the first 100 miles or sooner. The spokes will settle a bit and after that they should stay true. These wheels have stayed very true. For the money, I think this wheel is tough to beat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dylan
a Racer
from Boise Idaho USA Date Reviewed: October 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Hard Guy
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
my dad's old bike
Strengths:
stiff, somewhat light
Weaknesses:
I cracked a nipple in half at a xc race, I was able to finish, but I only weigh 100 pounds and ride lichtly so it probably shouldn't have broken
Similar Products Used:
bontrager superstock
Bike Setup:
2003 Gary Fisher Big Sur with xt group carbon bars kenda karma tires avid bb7 brakes
Bottom Line:
great rim, you might want to upgrade the stock spokes and nipples to dt swiss or something because it looks like other people have had similar problems, awesome rim, little flex and no dents after riding it in with a flat tire at nationals. light enough to race, but sturdy enough to take off some drops.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Sactown Date Reviewed: October 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Diablo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
mailorder
Strengths:
Light, round, strong, light
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Mavic crossland, 117, 728? (the freeride)
Bike Setup:
Hardtail
Bottom Line:
This is a superb rim. Mine are mass-produced: I'm a clyde 215 lbs, hard on my rims, and on a hardtail, yet this rim stays true. I could see freeride on a light rider and custom-built.
How do you blame the rim for broken spokes? And, knicks? What rim doesn't get knicks? Maybe the black shows them off better? Sheesh.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, MN Date Reviewed: August 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
maah daah hey
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
Weight, strength, parts availability
Weaknesses:
Rather narrow rim profile (compared to my rhyno-lites). If you are running a large volume tire and go into a corner to fast you may roll the tire over the rim.
Bike Setup:
kona bear/dawg
Bottom Line:
I weigh about 220 and occasionaly bottom out a 900 lb. coil on the back of my Kona. This rim has held up great to many miles of rocks, roots, racing and pulling the burley. Great product. I purchased the X717 disc along with WTB laser lite hubs (CC special) and have put about 800 miles of hard summer riding on them. Both products have held up really well and plan to ride them into the ground (4-5 years). I wanted something which would last several years and I just couldn't justify a costly crossmax or King/X717, although someday may have to splurge on those.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neil Rogers
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester, uk Date Reviewed: July 6, 2006
Mavic rim was good, as was hub! nice and light no problems. Ran for 1200 miles and just over 12 months. Had to have the rear trued after approx 6 months (not the wheel's fault, blame the bike as it's a hardtail!). But recently the spokes started to go, 2 spokes went on 1 ride, requiring a trip to the bike shop. They replaced the spokes only for another one to go the very next ride! maybe time was up for the wheel. I can conclude that after 12 months of abuse on a hardtail that the rear has finally given up the ghost. I would recommend these wheels as they have done a fantastic job, (the front whell still lives! and is still nice and true, front fork has saved the wheel on many an occasion). I just hope that the bontrager superstock outlives the original mavic rear wheel. I would give these wheels a nice 4 flaming turds. Just a shame about the spokes letting the whole package down.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Podlipnik
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
culvert in Auburn I guess, fun trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
stong, light...exelent rims for trail riding...in my opinion they can be taken beyond xc...
Weaknesses:
None I iv expierienced.
Similar Products Used:
No similar but: Adamlab trail pimps (great rims unbreakable, literally), laserdisc DH...(almost killed me but was not on my bike and the rim was not properly taken care of)
Bike Setup:
burly hard tale
Bottom Line:
I have the 36 hole discs. I jump/ride trails and am ruff on my bikes/bike parts. Has not been a single problem with them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: May 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
sycamore
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light Weight
Weaknesses:
Terrible Durability
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race X Lite Tubless
Bike Setup:
Seven Sola Ti, Chris King Hubs, Hayes Mags, blah, blah, blah
Bottom Line:
I'm not some freerider using the wrong product for it's intended purpose. I ride XC, maybe a little harder than most. These rims, after 3 months of riding, are toast. They have dents all over the place. I really think these rims are poorly designed and weak. I had Bontrager Race X Lites for a while, but ditched them for a King wheelset to rid myself of the dreaded Shimano disc brakes. Now I miss the Bontragers, because those rims, despite being equally light weight, survived through many more miles and far more bumps, rocks and drops than the Mavics did, without one single dent. I never rode on these rims with a flat tire or anything. All I did was go mountain biking. I will never purchase these rims again, and I don't recommend them to anyone who rides hard and weighs over 150 lbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a
from SoCal Date Reviewed: January 30, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The next one
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Rose Canyon Cycles/Blacksmith Wheels
Strengths:
Light, durable, tough
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager
Bike Setup:
Heckler, Maverick DUC32, Fox DHX 5.0, SRAM X.0, etc.
Bottom Line:
When I had a new bike built, I left the wheels up to Rose Canyon Cycles/Blacksmith Wheels in San Diego. They built a set up with a Maverick front hub, a Hadley rear and 14 gauge spokes. I installed Stans goop and 2.3 to 2.5 tires.
I thought these rims were a little light for a six-inch travel bike in rocky SoCal, but they've held up great. I have one small dent and numerous small scratches after 14 months of hard riding. The bike smokes down hill and is light enough to make climbing a reasonably tolerable experience. I owe at least some of that to these rims. They're light, yet quite tough. As other reviewers have said, maybe it has a lot to do with getting the wheels built by someone who really knows what they're doing!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kevin highfield
a Racer
from Houston Date Reviewed: January 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Light, stiff
Weaknesses:
None to speak of
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 223
Bike Setup:
Specialized fsr Expert Disc
Bottom Line:
Bought these rims as a $300 wheelset from Jenson, with Hope hubs and double butted spokes, running Stans Notube - a successful combination. Tacoed the front rim in an unfortunate combination of circumtances, which was bad luck rather than the wheel. These wheels have raced in everything from mud-fests to rocky deserts, with good results.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JOHN
a Cross Country Rider
from MD Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005
Favorite Trail:
LOCHRAVEN
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
PERFORMANCEBIKE
Strengths:
I BOUGHT A PREE ASSEMBLED WHEEL SET WITH DT SWISS SPOKES AND SHIMANO XT HUBS. VERY SMOOTH AND LIGHT WEIGHT
Weaknesses:
A BIT OF A PRICE BUT WORTH IT FOR ME BECAUSE I CAN NOT BUILD MY OWN WHEEL
Similar Products Used:
STOCK
Bike Setup:
IRON HORSE WARRIOR DISC, XT HUBS, MAVIC DISC RIMS, AVID BB DISCS, DT SWISS CENTERLOCK, LXM580 CASS, MEGA 9 SIIFTERS AND LEVERS,TRUVATIV CRANK
Bottom Line:
GOOD DURABLE AND LIGHT WEIGHT. A BIT EXPENSIVE FOR MY WHEEL SET BUT THE RIMS ALONE ARE PROBALLY A GOOD DEAL IF YOU ARE JUST BUYING THEM.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gary
a Cross Country Rider
from arkham, ma. Date Reviewed: November 24, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
jenson
Strengths:
DURABILITY, LIGHT
Weaknesses:
DIFFIULT TO REMOVE SOME TIRES.
Similar Products Used:
OTHER MAVICS, ALEX, SUN RHYNOLITES
Bike Setup:
GIANT VT2 WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS
Bottom Line:
I HAVE PUT THESE RIMS THROUGH A LOT AND USE THEM IN CONDITIONS WHERE I SHOULD BE USING RHYNOS BUT IV'E NEVER HAD A DURABILITY PROBLEM WITH THEM. I JUST HAD A REBUILD WITH A SECOND SET OF HUBS AND THESE RIMS ARE STILL JUST FINE ALTHOUGH BY NOW THEY LOOK LIKE HECK. THE 1 CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT THEY JUST TEND TO HANG ONTO MY PREFERED TIRES...WTB WEIRWOLFS AND FIRE XC PROS. THESE ARE ESPECIALLY HARD TO REMOVE ON THIS RIM EVEN WITH KEVLAR BEADS, WILL NEED TO CARRY FAT STIFF TIRE LEVERS OR RUN SLIME LITES IF YOU ARE PRONE TO FLAT OUT. I JUST KEEP THE AIRPRESSURE UP TO AVOID PINCH FLATS. THE RIMS ARE RATED FOR TIRES UP TO 2.3 INCHES. I NOTICED THAT THESE TEND TO ROLL ON THESE RIMS UNLESS YOU KEEP THE PRESSURE RIGHT UP THERE. TIRE SIZES ARE NOT THAT UNIFORM THOUGH SO COULD BE THAT SOME 2.3 ARE ACTUALLY WIDER. THE RIMS ARE LIGHT AND TOUGH AND MY WHEELS STAY TRUE , I CAN RIDE TROUBLE FREE AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ME.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alastair rimmer
a Cross Country Rider
from calverley,england Date Reviewed: October 28, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
ellis briggs
Strengths:
very good, these are strong, light dependable rims mine have done over 2000 miles (3200km) in 10 months) and they are still true
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
alex rims
Bike Setup:
2005 specialized rockhopper disc
Bottom Line:
these are good quality rims that will last for ages
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DR. Crapin
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester U.K Date Reviewed: September 29, 2005
None at all for XC, Hard XC and even light Freeride.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 317, 517, 221, 237, 227, 618, crossrides, WTB OCR, Bontrager and many others.
Bike Setup:
GT I.Drive with the usual gubbins.
Bottom Line:
Excellent hoops. Light and very strong. They build up into a great wheelset. As said, get a good wheel-builder to hand build these rims with quality spokes and you will find them the Dog's goolies. Better hand bulit than off the shelf.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pedro
a Cross Country Rider
from Portugal Date Reviewed: July 23, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Quinta marques gomes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Bought it 2nd hand
Strengths:
Light, Strong, great looks, takes light free-ride very well
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Mavic X517, Mavic X221, WTB, Vuelta Vision
Bike Setup:
The rim is mounted on XT+Dtswiss+Sram PC970! Maiacycles frame, Fox Vanilla 125RL, Lx shifters, Deore/Sram X-Gen deraileurs (Rear/Front), FSA steering, Brakes: Hays HFx9/Alivio with BBB triple compound (Front/Rear), OnOff Marga Fullanda carbono seat post,... a good bike :)
Bottom Line:
This is probably the best all-round rim! It's light for XC/All-moutain, it's strong for light free-ride, street,... I recomend it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney - london Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
tough, light
Weaknesses:
not alot
Similar Products Used:
bonty, wtb laserlites
Bike Setup:
klein palomino, mavic hoops, hope hubs and brakes, king headset
Bottom Line:
get these and a quality hub built by a quality wheel builder and they will take hammering! i have done 4' drops on these babies no worries! i did bend the front crashing out, however was easily straightened trackside.
top hoops, can recommend to all xc fans!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Speedboy
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: February 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
The one I'm on
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Very strong on a professional hand build and very light. Disc specific so the bridge is stronger to take the stresses of disc brakes. Good price. Low rolling weight.
Weaknesses:
A little narrow so going to a fat tire can make it baloon and roll on the rims if under inflated.
Bottom Line:
Very good rims. Get them properly built by a guy who knows how to build wheels and these babies will take real punishment. They are not downhill hoops but they can take more than your average x-country rim.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from oxford, england Date Reviewed: February 24, 2005
Favorite Trail:
the big dipper
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
warlands
Strengths:
nice and light.
Weaknesses:
don't appreciate crashes
Similar Products Used:
mavic xm117s
Bike Setup:
dawes edge team, hope brakes + hubs, apart from that stock.
Bottom Line:
these are decent rims, for what they are designed to do- cross country. They can take extra punishment that you won't find on a xc course, but not that much more. The only problem I did have was that the rear got a bit tacoed after going into a bollard (it was dark, ok).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon McBride
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: July 15, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong and light with a very nice profile. Also well priced and the rolling weight is low.
Weaknesses:
I have not found any.
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS etc
Bottom Line:
Very good rims, they'rs light and strong and cheap and reliable. I've hammered mine and I still don't need to re-true them. I agree that you need a good wheelbuilder and good spokes that's the answer to a brill set of wheels. My 317s were built badly or the DT spokes were not up to the job but these are great. Get a pair.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sumo
a Weekend Warrior
from Wales Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Gwydyr Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
Light and strong. Disc specific. low rotational mass. great quality for a descent price.
Weaknesses:
This is a superb XC rim which when built-up right will be a great freeride rim too. It is not designed for 10 ft drops.
Similar Products Used:
Mavis everything. WTB. Rolf.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro.
Bottom Line:
Great rims, strong & light. Look great in black. Take off weight at the rotational end where it matters without sacrificing strength. Get them built up properly by a top class wheelbuilder with really good spokes....that is the key with these rims. Properly built-up and they will take astonishing punishment for a XC rim. And the price compared with so many other "name" rims is very competative. It's a must for disc brakes for those riders who don't want masses of weight.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RobStar
a Cross Country Rider
from Orlando Date Reviewed: February 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Lightweight, sturdy, nice looking product - built up with Chris King ISO hubs - I've run these on some pretty serious SoCal and Nevada trails including a few rough downhills in the last month and they seem to hold up.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 317s w/Kenda Karma's and Stans No Tubes
Bike Setup:
SC Blur Disc - XTR and XT mix. Kenda Nevegal 2.1 tires running Stan's No Tubes.
Bottom Line:
I was happy with the 317s but passed those on to my wife when I built up this new wheelset with Chris King ISO hubs. Jensen USA said the 717 replaces the 317s. I always convert my wheels and tires to Stans No Tubes, it's the most significantly noticable upgrade I've ever done to enhance the handling of my bike; you'll feel it right away and you'll never have to worry about pinch flats and punctures.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Magical M
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston Date Reviewed: February 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Dalbeattie
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Cycle1st.com
Strengths:
Light and strong. Interesting profile that hugs on to the tire rim. Disc specific. Good value for money.
Marin Rift Zone, Easton stuff, XT transmission, Hope Hubs & Discs, SH 959s, Marzocchi MX Pro ETAs.
Bottom Line:
Really nice pair of fast wheels. My only ever concern with the 317s was that they might crack around the valve hole. This never happened to me no matter how hard I used them. And the 717 is the update of the 317. I guess they have strengthened the bridge on this like they have with the 517 update ...the 717. This is a great rim, even better laced to quality hubs like the Hope. I've got Sapim Race Spokes lacing mine and am very happy with them. No problem with them going out of true and completely confidence inspiring.
......Go get a pair!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark whitehead
a Cross Country Rider
from kent, wa, usa Date Reviewed: February 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Lake Sawyer
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
colorado cyclist mail order
Strengths:
so far so good. never had a bad wheelset made w/ mavic rims & i am someone whose had nearly a dozen road & mtb wheelsets this make. in general, i'm not a fan of ANYTHING french made. however, i will always have 1 exception with mavic. ANYWAY, politics aside,,, the XC717 Disc wheels are very light with WTB Laser Lite Disc hubs, although could be few grams less cuz using brass nips, plus oldie but goodie & heavy shim deore brakeset rotors. whatever, not being a gram counting cross-country weenie, they are fast & lite.
Weaknesses:
could be about 2 mm's wider
Similar Products Used:
mavic 223's, XC317s, 519s, numerous other Mavic rims, Bontrager Race Lites (suck), Sun Ringle, Trek Matrix
Bike Setup:
'04 Rocky Mtn VERTEX 70 Hardtail, Fox RLC 100 forx, Shimano Deore Hydraulic disc brakes, 120x0 degree Titec stem, LP lo-rise carbon bar, Race Face G/E grips, king headset, XT cranks, shim 545 SPD pedals, XT derailleurs, WTB saddle, easton post, WTB motoraptor tires.
Bottom Line:
strong & extralite, these wheels definitely seem to spin weeee bit faster than my FSR w/ mavic xc317 Discs, even if the rims are french made
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 69.95
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
