The Mavic Crossmax SLR Wheelset is the beacon on the hill when it comes to lightweight, stiff, and nearly indestructible aluminum wheelsets for your cross-country machine. The French manufacturer didn't take any shortcuts when they designed the Crossmax line. The SLR receives the same durable Maxtal rim as the ST, except the SLR rims are slimmed down thanks to Mavic's ISM-3D technology. ISM-3D takes the ISM (Inter Spoke Milling) a step further by not only machining out the lower bridge of the rim between each spoke hole, but also its sidewalls. The result is a lighter rim, which translates to better acceleration and improved climbing for the rider. The rim is 23mm wide for a better tire/ rim interface and the rim joint is sealed using Mavic's super-smooth SUP process. The wider rim maximizes the tire's footprint to improve trail grip, add stability to the sidewall for improved cornering, and minimizes the chance of pinch flatting if you're using standard tubes.The lightweight, aluminum-alloy Zicral spokes connect to the SLR's Maxtal rims via Mavic's Fore drilling process. The Fore process only drills one of the two rim walls for spoke nipples. This makes the rim 20% more rigid and four times more resistant to fatigue. Fore drilling also means that you avoid the tubeless conversion kit because there are no holes in the rim, so jumping to tubeless has never been easier. The SLR's front and rear wheel both have 20-spokes, are laced 2-cross in the front, and use Isopulse lacing in the rear (2-cross on the left and radial on the right) for balanced spoke tension and better durability.The oversized front hub and the axle inside are machined from aluminum, while the rear axle is made from both titanium and aluminum to shed a few extra grams. They spin on Mavic's high-grade QRM+ cartridge bearings to ensure smooth operation, and both the front and rear hubs are micro-adjustable with the included hub tool/tire lever. The ITS-4 alloy freehub body is compatible with 8-, 9-, and 10-speed mountain cassettes.This wheelset is part of Mavic's MP3 extended warranty program. The acronym stands for Mavic Product Protection Plan, and it provides you with two years of almost unlimited no-fault protection from Mavic. More details can be found on the MP3 website. Please note that MP3 coverage must be purchased within 5 days of the date that you receive your wheels. Contact one of our customer service representatives for the retailer and product codes that you'll need to register your wheels on the Mavic MP3 site. You'll also need the serial numbers that you'll find on your wheels. The cost for this coverage is approximately 8% of the retail cost of the wheels.The Mavic Crossmax SLR Disc Wheelset comes with wheelbags, quick releases (20mm thru-axle versions only come with a rear QR), UST valve stems, a bearing adjustment tool, front QR adapters, spoke magnet, and a spoke wrench. The 6-Bolt and Center Lock front wheel options can be used as a 15 QR thru-axle or
Submitted by
Wayne
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2009
Strengths: Looks, low weight, and low rolling resistance.
Weaknesses: Weak rims, poor quality stock bearings, rear hub requires frequent maintanence, and VERY poor customer service.
Bottom Line:
If you do not have to pay for them or maintain them...use them. For all others, use Shimano or another brand. These wheels look great and work great - for a while; then they need to have new bearings installed. Then they need replacement rims (they crack down the middle of the bead bed under the rim tape). And they frequently need the rear hub lubed with mineral oil. I do not think a French mistress is so needy!
I own two older sets of crossmax wheels (one is from 2000) and they both are still running strong, even after much more off road riding. So do not think I'm some fatty or a dirt jumper. The SLRs have about 80% of their hours from road training (not much need for a full suspension ride in Dallas) so they have lead a fairly pampered life compared to the old crossmax sets I own.
Overall, I want to warn possible buyers to be totally aware of the strengths and weaknesses of this product, then make their own judgement...I did not. I bought them based upon my older crossmax wheel sets and found they do not measure up.
Mavic will not cut ANY slack on obvious product weaknesses - if you are even "one hour past warranty". (I'm three months out.) My LBS said Mavic support is weak and that they are arrogant. So: Sponsored racers rejoice, but buyers beware!
Similar Products Used: XTR, LX, and older Crossmax wheelsets.
Bike Setup: Cannondale prophet with carbon lefty, easton carbon riser bars and seat post, XT brakes/shifters, XTR cranks/derailleurs, crossmax slr wheelset, and ergon grips.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
REvers
a Cross Country Rider
from Stavanger
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2009
Strengths: Front wheel seems to hold
Weaknesses: Managed to wreck the rear wheel in a couple of months. After repairs, same problem re-occured again.
I have switched to custom built wheels - bigger rim in the rear.
SLR's seem to be too lightweight, compromising strength. I am 85 kgs and can not ride them hard on rocky surface: They can not handle it.
Bottom Line:
Too weak for hard riding - very good service from shop and Mavic, but the wheel keeps breaking down. Too much money, not enough strength / durability.
Similar Products Used: Mavic Crossmax SL, custom built wheels.
Bike Setup: Seven Sola Ti
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Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, California USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008
Strengths: Light as a feather, at 1585 grams w/o valves; Eye-candy appeal has serious bling to it; Both Ti skewers weighed only 87 grams; Very stiff and responsive- you can FEEL the torque, on every turn of the cranks; you cannot help but go faster, on this wheelset; Bladed, straight-pull spokes are incredibly strong; I can go on and on- but I'll stop here...
Weaknesses: Cost as much as some performance car rims; Magnet setup for cyclocomputer, is a bit tricky; Rear freehub pawls are super-loud
Bottom Line:
I recently got hit by a car, riding my bike. Both Mavic XC717 disc rims were tacoed badly. It was the driver's fault....so I made sure she was going to pay for my new rims. The settlement was enough for a new bike- but my frame was actually OK. I went straight to the LBS the day I got the money and snatched the Crossmax SLR rims I have been drooling over, every time I visited the LBS. Despite being in pain- it felt great just buying those wheels.
My first impression once the wheels were mounted was.... WOW!!! These wheels accelerate like a 50hp motor was driving your rear wheels. Maintaining 25mph on the flats has never been easier. The huge reduction in rotating mass(in my case- was 1.2-lbs) results in pedaling ease even a 400lb man can accomplish with pleasure. Because of these wheels- my riding skills are well below the limits of my bike. It will be nothing but fun trying to catch-up!!!!
If you can afford them- this wheelset will bring your riding pleasure to an entirely new level. But be careful, these wheels are freeride/DH material. Get the Mavic Crossmax XL UST disc, or Mavic Deemax(the ultimate DH wheelset). My verdict? You simply cannot go wrong with Mavic's race pedigree. The world's best pros ride them- now YOU can too!!!
Strengths: very light, quick handling, climbs like a mountain goat. absolutely flies up the hills and then lets you have lots of control on the way back down.
Weaknesses: easy to damage due to lightness.
Bottom Line:
fantastic, best money I have ever spent. Go and buy them!
Bike Setup: 120mm front travel hardtail, with tubed tyres and 35psi 26x2.26 tyres
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Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirkland, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2007
Strengths: Very light, laterally stiff, nice to look at. The front mavic lefty hub is stiffer, I run a 208mm front disk, and the old hub used to flex.
Weaknesses: None. Just noticed that the rear hub is noiser (racheting sound is louder) than old cannondale hub. Hopefully it will get quieter with use.
Bottom Line:
Great Wheel, nice and light and stiff which makes them good for climbing.
My old set of mavics 3.1 ust's front wheel started to get loose and often after every ride so it was time for a rebuild or new wheels.
I'm limited due to lefty fork so I'm glad these come direct from the factory.