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Submitted by
woody pisano
a Cross Country Rider
from austin, tx, usa
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | which every one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | stronger than a tire iron, only lighter. | | Weaknesses: | in six years, none | | Bike Setup: | trek 8500 hardtail, bomber up front | | Bottom Line: | I have replaced every moving part on this bike, except for the wheels. I weight about 210, so I'm not all that light, but these wheels have been, and are still strong, stable and true. the side walls have ruts from the brake pads, and they stay true. I just bought a brand new set. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a Cross Country Rider
from Simi Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mugu St. Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Orland Cyclery in Orland Park, IL | | Strengths: | First of all, I bought a full suspension bike moving out to SoCa. But I still have my trusty completely non-stock 02 GF Tassjara. Part of the upgrade included getting Mustangs last year. Well, they were good in Palos outside of Chicago but they competely kick ass when converted w/ Stan's notubes and riding a "real" mountain here in Cali! Do yourself a favor. Get this rim, buy Stan's kit ( I use Airlight Pythons 480 gm! Seweet and it rips on hardpack), and convert your tires. YOu can run lower pressure, no flat (absolutely none for me) and grips singletrack like a Gorilla. When I did all this, I was typically moving up one chainring in the back maintaining same cadence. | | Weaknesses: | Zero. Nada! | | Similar Products Used: | Bonty Corvairs that came w/ bike. Very durable, could use probably for some light freeriding, but HEAVY. Mustang's are lighter and I have been told just as strong. | | Bike Setup: | Bike 1) 2003 Iron Horse Hollowpoint Expert (This is the REAL DEAL.
Bike 2) (this one has the Mustang's) 02 GF Tassajara, Mustnag's XT Huba nd Pyton tires (running Stan's), All XT drivetrain, LX shift/brakes, Avid 7 single digit brakes, 03 Rock Shox 80 MM Duke XC, and Race Face XC Cranks, - 23 lbs bike setup. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line? If you ride XC and want to get some very strong,light wieght rims. This is it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Cavanaugh
a Cross Country Rider
from San Juan Capistrano
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Ana River Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$220.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | They are light, stay true and seem to be strong rims except for...see weaknesses. | | Weaknesses: | I was surprised to see others on this site having the exact same problem I have. The rear wheel area next to the valve stem has developed a large blip. As also mentioned by another rider, I run Panaracer XC Pros. I have sent several e-mails to Bontrager regarding this issue and they have told me they are not aware of it at all. I told them to check MTRB.com, but they only told me to go back to Supergo; Supergo no longer carries this product and can do nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic wheels and XT hubs. | | Bike Setup: | SC Uber-Lite, Tru-Vativ Team Stylo cranks, Bontrager wheels, XT hubs and derailuers, Ritchey bars and seatpost, SDG Sattelite saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I not slamming Bontrager, they make good products, but it doesn't seem that I am going to get any resolution about this problem from them. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Seacoast, NH
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Build quality, durability, looks | | Weaknesses: | None that spring to mind | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 221's, Mavic F519 (front) & Rhyno Lite (rear) | | Bike Setup: | 01 Specialized Stumpy hardtail, Mars Super fork, Truvativ crank. XT hubs | | Bottom Line: | After speaking with Mike at Universal, I decided to go with them even though they were slightly more expensive than the mail order places. So far the wheels have held up really well to some clumsy riding over rocks and roots. Light enough for XC racing, and strong enough for crashing around Fort Rock. Trued the rear wheel once in 12 months, no need to touch the front. Hold up much better than the stock crappy Mavic 221's. Definitely recommended unless you are a talented rider who wants superlight racing wheels and can ride well enough to avoid trashing them. With XT hubs, these are great value for money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Bethsda, MD
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | These rims keep true, right out of the box. I have had no problems with the need of truing the wheels after many hard miles | | Weaknesses: | Ok, after reading Jay's (the previous review) comments I realized I was not the only one with this problem. Right by the valve stem the rear sidewall (braking surface) blows out with the panaracer 2.1. When braking you get the "thump-thump" with the v-brakes (annoying). I clamped them with vise grips with card board in between and it brings them in, had the LBS clueless, I had to figure that out. Don't get me wrong, the front and rear are still true, I am actually running a WTB 2.5 Weirwolf on the front with no problems at all | | Similar Products Used: | all kinds, these were best till the sidewall blew, I will try rhyno-lites, ditch witch, or halo combat next. | | Bike Setup: | 1995 Cannondale Super V700 carbon fiber( old school), Manitou elite 100/120, race face cranks, sram XO shifters/derailler, panaracer fire xc rear, wtb weirwolf 2.5 front. | | Bottom Line: | Rear sidewall blowout sucks, front rim is excellent, could have been my fault for temporarily running a 2.5 on the back as well (tight fit)
I still give a high five! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Price, perceived performance, good reviews | | Weaknesses: | Weak sidewall!! | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 221, 238 | | Bike Setup: | FSR Elite, Z1 bomber | | Bottom Line: | I posted this review on the rim section, but it is applicable to the wheelset also. I'm ~ 180 lbs with gear. "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)." Going to try Rhyno Lites next.. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirk
a Cross Country Rider
from Mishawaka, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Rum Village | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | Strengths: | Strength, looks, value, large side walls for us V-brakers, Bontrager | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 221 (hey they lasted 5 years of abuse) | | Bike Setup: | GT, Bontrager Mustangs, RaceFace, Chris King, Thomson, Marzocchi | | Bottom Line: | I weigh in fully geared at about 185 lb. These may not be the lightest rims available (although they are damn light) but I know that they will withstand any dropoff I will throw at it and stay true as new. The black anodized rim looks sweet too. If you are looking for a rock solid wheel you can beat on without worry and you don't want to spend a ridiculous price this is the wheelset. This coupled with XT hubs with provide years of enjoyable service. This is a standard wheelset also. Any local shop should be able to service it no problem. That is if it every needs it. Nice work Bontrager on a serious valued product. 5 hot N nasties for this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cooter
a Cross Country Rider
from Milroy In
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | conyers horse park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Light weight, Strong Strong Strong, Looks trick with those straight loaced spokes, Fat surfaces for your rim brakes, XT hubs | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | mavix 221 | | Bike Setup: | built Trek 4500, all xt driveline, truvativ stylo crank, converted to 9sp, kore stem, bontrager mustangs, avid single digit 7 brakes, ect. | | Bottom Line: | These rims rock. i have dished some serious abuse to these rims and they are still straight. they are a big impovement over mt stock trek rims in strength and weight. i didnt think that rims could make you a better rider untill now. get some. pricepoint is almost giving them away | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike | | Strengths: | Great price, Great strength and | | Weaknesses: | Nada! | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 221 | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Killer V, fatty SL headshock, XTR shifters/brakes/deraileurs, Raceface Next LP crank, Easton EA70 bar | | Bottom Line: | Great proce, incredible strenght, great weight (especially for the price. I bought these aftermarket after I taco'd the stock rear wheel (Mavic 221). I had them built up with XT hubs, 15 gauge spokes on the front and 14/15 on the rear, with aluminum nipples front to back. I have had them 3 years and have trued them 3 times. I ride western PA trails, rocks, roots, singletrack etc pretty hard (or clumsy...) and I weigh 200lbs. These wheels rock. Plus the ASYM rear looks a kinda trick as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, reliable | | Weaknesses: | no cartridge bearings(what do you expect @ $160, the best regular bearings next to XTR) | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King w/317, LX w/221, CODA crap | | Bottom Line: | These are the best wheels for the money. I cranked up the tension a little to gain some stifness and really love them. Stiff under acceleration and turning. I'd take these over the Kings and pocket the rest of the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RJ Litton
a
from Pasadena
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | San Gabriel (JPL Area) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena Cyclery | | Strengths: | Light, durable, priced well. (looks good also) | | Weaknesses: | None encountered. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Modified GT Aggressor 2.0 | | Bottom Line: | My mountain bike, a GT Aggressor II, came with decent wheels, but not durable enough for hard trails. I purchased these as an upgrade and it has really improved my confidence with the bike. These rims are light, strong & durable. The rims that came with the bike I put rode tires on so I can now use the bike in a variety of roles. This has worked well albeit, the bike looks funny as hell with rode tires. Overall, I have not experienced any problems with these rims and strongly recommend purchasing this product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CS
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | cambriabike.com | | Strengths: | Light and strong, yet very inexpensive. After initial truing, they have not needed to be trued in almost a year. No problems with the XT hubs whatsoever after a year of hard riding. I bought these as a second set to my custom handbuilt wheelset, but find these to be just as fast and much more reliable. | | Weaknesses: | Machine built so they needed to be trued after the first couple of rides. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic Crossride, King hubs w/517's, Bontrager Race, Rolfs, Sun/Ringle | | Bike Setup: | Stumpy hardtail | | Bottom Line: | You really can't get a much better combination of light and tough at any price. At $150 with XT hubs, these wheels are a steal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, light weight, overall great. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bottom Line: | Very strong, but yet very light. I bike hard and beat the hell out of my bike everytime I ride. I'm impressed that these light wheels take such a beating. Strongly reccomend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Used to be rock lake until all the yuppies rode the sh#t out of it. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Does not need to be trued. (Ok maybe once a season)
Strong, strong, strong
Light | | Weaknesses: | tall sidewalls make changing tires very difficult | | Similar Products Used: | other cheaper no-name rims | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Big Sur, Judy up front with a thudbuster seat post. Full XT | | Bottom Line: | If you looking for rims that will last a long time, require little to no maintance, and give you more confidence, then get these rims. I have the ceramic versions, rear is asym and I love them. My first ride with them 3 years ago was the ultimate test. I was going too fast (I was excited to have new rims) and flew off an 8 ft cliff. I landed with all my weight on the front tire. I was in the hospital for awhile after but my rims didn't even need to be retrued. Awesome. Also if you are upgrading from heavier rims, you will instantly feel the difference. If feels like someone is pushing you at first. Much better acceleration. After 3 years of riding on them I still absolutly love them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Ventura, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannell Plunge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Scene | | Strengths: | Never need to true. They take abuse pretty well. | | Weaknesses: | Two rear rims pulled apart around nipples. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic | | Bike Setup: | Steel HT | | Bottom Line: | I weigh 150#, race nearly every weekend on these rims. Have had to ride in flat a few times, so I am pretty abusive. They still last almost a season of racing. Had three rear rims pull apart around several nipples. Raced em' once like that n' they held up. Curious failure pattern, but still good durability. Have race a season on ceramics, and they have worked pretty good. Oh yeah Bontrager replx'd the bad rims...kudos. Look forward to racing on their new stuff next year | 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, reasonably priced tough and good looks. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Mavix, Matrix and Arya | | Bike Setup: | Trek 7000 with many mods | | Bottom Line: | These wheels are an excellent value for a quality wheelset.
I have used these for over three years with a variety of tires and XT Hubs and have never encountered any problems the wheels are as straight and true as the day I got them, need I say more. I ride both cross country and downhill trails.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raul
a Cross Country Rider
from Tijeras, Nuevo Mexico, USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Otero Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | value, weight (relatively), strength | | Weaknesses: | none for me | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey OCR | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper, Marzocchi Z.4, LX,XT | | Bottom Line: | I can find no fault with these wheels. I got them with the XT hubset and they are about 1/2 lb. lighter than the Ritchey wheels that I replaced. They have only needed some very minor truing and I beat them hard on the big rocks of New Mexico. For the money you can't go wrong, maybe if they were a little lighter... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | New Light | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR Classifieds | | Strengths: | stiffness, strength | | Weaknesses: | none for the kind of riding I do (no racing) | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 238, 221 | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Element Race | | Bottom Line: | Got these with XT hubs through MTBR classifieds (new) after the stock wheels kept coming out of true every ride. I noticed the difference right away. The ride felt much stiffer and I felt much more control when cornering. I ride technical single track and am still learning as far hopping big logs. These wheels take whatever abuse I through at them and have stayed true. Unlike some who have had to get theirs trued, mine came true out of the box (I took them to a LBS to check). My thanks to Kevin K. for being such a good seller. A great ride for those who don't need the latest and lightest. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Sac. Ca
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Salmon Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Price and Performance. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Sub 4s. | | Bike Setup: | K-2 OZ-x. XT and Race Face drive train. | | Bottom Line: | For the price I paid these are a screaming deal. They needed a true up after a few rides and since have been rock steady. I split my Sub-4 rear rim at Fort Ord and bought these because they were cheap and available in 3 days. What can I say, I got lucky! For an XC rider and considering the price, a great set up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cole fakename
a Racer
from wambakia
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | issaqueena i guess i dunno | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | strong, fast, fast, strong, true | | Weaknesses: | so far i cant say i have any, but i bent my last hub, so lets see if these xt hub will hold up | | Similar Products Used: | none, i've allways had bad wheels | | Bike Setup: | fisher marlin, with clipless pedals, and now these, wtb raceraptors for tires | | Bottom Line: | yeah if u can get these for under 200 i'd get em, there pretty fast, and super strong, the first ride i had on em, i was flying down this hardpack and saw like a little one foot drop that i figgured oh well can't stop now, so i hit, and it was easy but my back wheel landed on the a football sized rock and didn't dent, taco, or flat, so i like these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Turnbull Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Asymetrical spoke design, machined sidewalls, double wall construction, high strength to weight ratio | | Weaknesses: | None! | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 517 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Pro | | Bottom Line: | After I flatspotted the original rear wheel I built this one with 14 gauge spoke and aluminum nipples on an XT hub and have been nothing but impressed. Other than a yearly barely-needed truing and retensioning this wheel has been awesome. I'm a 205lb, strong rider and have subjected this rig to racing, training, adventure-style, and everyday riding over some pretty gnar-gnar terrain and it is still taking it. If I somehow end up wasting this wheel or otherwise wearing it out (yeah right!) I'll build up another Mustang without hesitation. Bontrager rules!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy
a Weekend Warrior
from columbia sc
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | decent wheels | | Weaknesses: | machine built, not as true as i d like them to be out of the box | | Similar Products Used: | crossrides | | Bike Setup: | moab 2 w/crossrides, thompson, S.I., big al, irc mythos | | Bottom Line: | these don t compare to my crossrides, but they shouldn t. paid around half as much for these, so no complaints. laced to xt hubs, these are pretty good. got slicks on them, smooth ride. needed trueing out of the box. overall a good upgrade from stock wheels | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$139.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Great rolling, good looking and sturdy | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Sun CR 18's | | Bottom Line: | Mine's set up with XT hubs and I love these wheels. For the price, there's no better. I'd rather have these than the Mavic 517's. I couldn't be happier with this purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg
a Weekend Warrior
from milwaukee, wi
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Levis-Trow | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Strength, Value | | Weaknesses: | May be heavy for gram counters but most likely not the rest of us. | | Similar Products Used: | LX/Mavic 221 | | Bike Setup: | GF Sugar 2, Race light cranks, Sram 9.0SL Drive Train, XT BB and CAssette, Thomson Seat Post, Club roos riser, Icon stem, Time pedals. WTB headset | | Bottom Line: | My local bike shop gave me a deal on a set of Mustang wheels with bontager house hubs. the set is relatively light and has only needed 1 truing after the break in period. Probably should have had a hand true job done before riding. My Bontrager RACE wheelset on my new Sugar has a small ding in the rear. I use both sets with different tire set ups. The mustang set up (basically this years' supermods) has held up very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Thompson
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, VA USA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | working on that | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Cheap, no-frills working wheels, easy to maintain | | Weaknesses: | cheap, no-frills working wheels, you get what you pay for | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager Mavericks | | Bike Setup: | 99 Trek 8000, XT hubs, mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | I picked these up after my stock rims went out of true on my 3rd ride. After a year, these are a little bit out of true, but still usable, and I am very hard on them. They don't look special, but they are reasonably light and pretty strong (I am 210 lbs and not very skilled....). Any bike shop or home mechanic can true them. I would definitely recommend for anyone wanting good-quality rims that can take a beating, without paying a lot. Or to put it another way, you can take them on the worst track you can think of, they will survive, and if you manage to break them, you won't be shelling out $600 to fix or replace them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ali
a Racer
from Vienna, Virginia USA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Difficult Run, VA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | What a deal, i got them on clearance from *Bikes USA* for $109 for the set... the rear wheel is the only one i am running right now, w/xt hubs... seems good so far... | | Weaknesses: | none that i know of yet, just a great deal... (could always get lighter/stronger wheels aka mavic, but that comes with a price, and i am just out there to ride/kick some but...not go bankrupt... | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 222 w/specialized 'stout' hub... | | Bike Setup: | 99 Specialized Stump Comp... I am riding w/ a 9spd cassette, 2.1 Mythos XC tires and XT hubs... | | Bottom Line: | I ride some pretty heavy duty stuff, but i am light... only 135lbs... i am happy with this wheel set, because they were a bargain, and i needed to replace my worn out un-rebuildable specialized house brand hub... I could have gone lighter/stronger but that would be more $$$ so i am happy with these...JUST RIDE... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Canfield Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stays round, stays true, fundamentally sound design to offset the spokes. | | Weaknesses: | Stickers are coming off (had to say something) | | Similar Products Used: | CODA, Mavic | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V, Titec, XT/XTR, Stratos rr shock, blah blah. | | Bottom Line: | We ride semi rocky semi rooty hardpack single track and I could count on a couple trues per season on well built wheels. Rode all last year without even giving them a thought and got the bike out for the season yesterday. Spun the wheels and they are so true it's like an illusion, so I had to log on and post this review. I could not keep a rear rim true on these trails before the Mustang. I'm 170, very strong rider, moderately aggressive on downhills (not crazy). Got a good deal on them, so strong value as well.
Doug | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
crank addict
a Cross Country Rider
from allentown, pa
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | south mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Strong, light, offset spoke bed, affordable, durable, high value product | | Weaknesses: | The only weakness that could be possible is the one placed by a poor wheel builder. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 517 and 217 | | Bike Setup: | Breezer Storm, Full XTR, Marzzochi Super-fly, Caramba Cranks, XTR Wheels with full Bontrager fr/rr | | Bottom Line: | This wheel is for the long term cyclist who wants to satisfy his/her pocket book and sense of value without compomising strenght and reliability. With an XTR or comparable hub, this wheelset is the best value on the market. Bontrager wheels are superbly engineered with eyelets, dual walls that are thick, and offset rear spoke bed in the rear. I've had mine over 3 yrs, and I ride aggressively and competitively in the trails of eastern PA goddammit, and I true them at most, 2 times a year...minor trueing. But only if its built by a true wheelmaster can you achieve similar results. The strenth in this wheel and most wheels is the craftsmanship, so support your local bikeshop rather than mail order anything that must be built. Just think of how many they have to build, do you think they give much time and effort? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimbo
a Cross-Country Rider
from 29 palms CA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
technical | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
NONE. ABSOLUTELY NONE | | Weaknesses: |
NOTHING BUT WEAKNESSES | | Similar Products Used: |
Cane Creek WAM, XT/517 | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Mantra | | Bottom Line: | OK, I could understand it if I destroyed the rim, BUT we're talking about my wife's bike! She weighs 120 lbs and WALKS down anything technical (in her defence, she's a monster on climbs and will grind the flats all day long). The sidewall blew out, I mean just plain shattered, WHILE WE WERE RIDING ON A BIKE PATH!!!! The rim was a year old but didn't have extensive use. No, it had not been subjected to lack of maintenence, overtensioning, or abuse. It just plain let go for no reason! Unfortunately, I did not send the rim to the manufactuer, but I doubt they would have believed the JRA (just riding along) story, but so help me it's true. Also it was OEM on the bike (purchaced at SUPERGO) and they wanted nothing to do with it as it was greater than one year since purchase. SUPERGO has great deals, but don't expect customer service to go along with it. (we also had a break problem a couple of months after purchase---they wanted nothing to do with it) | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
racer99
a Cross-Country Rider
from Concord, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mt Diablo Loop | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Offset rear spoke design adds strength to the 9 speed drive train. Strong! Stays true for a long time. | | Weaknesses: |
Rim tape I can get seems to be either too wide or too narrow. | | Similar Products Used: |
Mavic 222 | | Bike Setup: |
Hardtail, manitou up front, XT components | | Bottom Line: | Kick ASS!!! This wheel is what you should be riding! Nice and strong, stays true even after rough XC riding. The offset rear wheel gains back some of the strength you loose when going with a 9 speed rear cassette. Rim tape seems to move around a little though, so make sure you check this often or you could flat while on the trail (everyone carries extra tubes though, right?). Highly recommended for wheel taco specialist! 5 blazing chili's. | | Overall Rating: |
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