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Submitted by
Daveooo
a Weekend Warrior
from Glastonbury
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Can't remember, but | | Strengths: | Everything you need in a rim | | Weaknesses: | nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 121 (remember those!) WTB something or others standard spec on wy full suss untill I break them anb then it'll be Mavics! | | Bike Setup: | Was a DMR Traistar, now a Curtis Super X | | Bottom Line: | Amazing! I have snapped my frame (the DMR), bent 2 sets of handle bars (24seven things & some thing else I can't remember), cracked my forks (old school Marz Z1's) and the front rim is only just showing signs of stress at the spoke holes! and its 8 years old!! The rear died about a year ago (sorry memory re-engaging... had 2 on the rear!) but they're still fab. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from South Wales
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Where | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclogical | | Strengths: | Strength. Marketed as a downhill rim by Mavic but light enough for XC. Maybe not racing though. Never had to have these trued up, maybe it was the wheel builder who did a great job (sadly no longer there). Weights not an issue to me being 240lbs. I'd prefer a strong wheel which I know won't break than a lighter wheel which may. If I need to get lighter I'd lose some weight off myself. C'MON, HANDS UP WHO'S ALREADY THOUGHT IT? | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic X221, Mavic 321, Halo SAS, Halo Combat | | Bike Setup: | I use these on my hardtail, GT Karakoram (old school with the 'groove tube' top tube), RST Mozo Pro 4.5's, The rest of the kit is Shimano Lx, Raceface Prodigy Stem, RockShox suspension seatpost, and the rest of the parts change when I feel like a change or fancy something new. | | Bottom Line: | Good strong rim. I'd recommend it to anyone riding cross-country to downhill. Highly rated. Shame they aren't made anymore. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Bluffs
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | The Trails of Martha's Vineyard | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Frankford Bikes | | Strengths: | Mavic Ceramic D521 36º rim. Excellent rim. Takes a harsh beating with no problems.
Over 7 years or riding on the Tandem and 3 years on the rear of my single bike. | | Weaknesses: | None What so ever | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic Ceramic X517 | | Bike Setup: | On our tandem bicycle. White Brothers duel crown fork, Chris King Stainless Steel no thread set, Thomson seat posts. Flite saddles, Phil Wood hubs and Schwalbe 2.35 Fat Albert's front and rear.
My single bike, a Litespeed Elevated Chain Stay bike with Chris King no thread set, Thomson seat posts, Flite saddles, Marzocchi Atom Bomb fork with a Black Spire fork crown, Cook Brothers crank, Chris King 36º hubs with a Mavic Ceramic X517 rim on the front and D521 on the rear running Schwalbe 2.40 Knobby Nic front and back.
The wheel on the rear of my single I call my Armageddon wheel as that's just about what it will take to destroy it | | Bottom Line: | The Mavic Ceramic D521 rim is an all around great rim for either slamming over rocks and roots or fully loaded tandem tour. Over 7 years on our tandem I have yet to touch them up on the truing stand.
Those rims just may out last me.
My only disappointment is that they no longer make the D521 in the 36º configuration though I do have a spare Ceramic D521 if needed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JIM
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$10.00 | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | none that i can see | | Similar Products Used: | none. (no need!!) | | Bike Setup: | RST Mozo Pro 4.5 forks, saracen Ruftrax Hardtail XC frame. | | Bottom Line: | i ride everyday, have had many crashes however i have NEVER trued the rims. the greatest XC rims ever!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Horsham
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Specialized 2000 S works FS | | Bottom Line: | This rim is running on Hope XC ti Hubs with Disc. It's been chipped by rocks, has ridden France, Italy and raced in America. The Axle has finally bent and the bearings are also being repleced, yet these rims still are in perfect shape. Yes the rims are a bit heavy, but show me a match for these perfect hoops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vandal
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came w bike | | Strengths: | Very durable, actually light considering its bombproof
Cool stealth grey color | | Weaknesses: | on the heavy side for XC | | Similar Products Used: | Sun CR18 | | Bottom Line: | Its a perfect choice for anyone doing more agressive riding, cuz otherwise its too heavy, but i had mine with an XT hub | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jorgex
a Weekend Warrior
from Almada, Portugal
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | -everything
-two possible colors: silver or black | | Weaknesses: | -heavy for XC, very heavy and still heavy with light setup
-tire smaller than 2.1 will wide up | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey's Rock WCS/OCR WCS, Mavics... | | Bike Setup: | Giant escaper'92 (hardtail) with today's stuff like RF atlas, manitou, gripshift, xt, rohloff, dt, hope, x-lite... | | Bottom Line: | 6 years setup: d521 black, dt champ. black spokes, lx/xt/hopeXC rear hubs and xt QR.
In 2000, my LBS advice this this one for my rear wheel after 2 or 3 broken rims in the last 2 years.
Today, the walls start to crack on both sides.
I think it's normal after all these years of v-braking, 3 hub changes, 16000km of rocks, dust, mud, dog piss, 3 tire blasts(and going home with a flat tire), 10 different tires(from 1.75 to 2.3), all possible tire colors(from yellow python to red hot s to blue nokian to orange continental) and my self(over 100kg).
Probably THE BEST RIM NON TUBELESS for extreme XC and enduro rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
stuart
a Downhiller
from calgary, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | bow cycle | | Strengths: | bullet proof
strong
light | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | alex | | Bike Setup: | kona stinky primo (2002) | | Bottom Line: | great rims love them never trued them lasted longer than my buddies single tracks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Chalkwell
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Tough, look the dogs, light enough for XC, strong enough for freeride, not that expensive, come in stealth grey!
GREAT RIM! | | Weaknesses: | Anodizing wears of under braking with rim brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing except 2 sets of cheapo rims. | | Bike Setup: | Saracen X-tort frame, Zokes forks, Tioga DH bars+stem. | | Bottom Line: | These rims will not break, they have stood up to things my forks haven't!
Also not that expensive for a bombproof downhill rim.
Buy them, you won't regret it, whatever you ride, trials, street, downhill freeride, jump or XC, these are perfect! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dragon j
a Downhiller
from cebu phil
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | wellson | | Strengths: | very strong. after 3yrs of hard trail riding only had to tru this rim once! | | Weaknesses: | not wide for 2.7 tires | | Similar Products Used: | 321 singletrack singlewide | | Bike Setup: | yeti asx | | Bottom Line: | great rims for x country light freeride n downhill! pwerting lig-ona parikoy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham Coe
a Weekend Warrior
from Liverpool
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Delamere | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | edge lane cycles | | Strengths: | absolutly bomb proof. I went for the d521 cd's and i can't kill these rims at all (and i really have tried!!!) I'm not the gentalist of riders and these rims just keep rolling. They've helped me survive many a sticky situation and i really have landed these rims on everything possible and they havent died, be it rock, root curb or anything these just keep going. | | Weaknesses: | none whatsoever | | Similar Products Used: | alex d20's, sun double tracks. | | Bike Setup: | coyote dh3, mavic 521's on deore hubs, mrp, lm cranks, tioga stem, etc etc etc. | | Bottom Line: | Buy these rims. you will not regret it. ive read the reviews saying they squirm with tires more than 2.4 but ive been riding irc kudos downhill 2.65's and havent noticed at all. These rims keep on rolling and have never let me down in all the time ive been riding them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan O'Toole
a Downhiller
from Norman, OK, USA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | NuDraper | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | AnoCycle (in yamaguchi, japan) | | Strengths: | great lateral rigidity, superb breaking surface, welded seam | | Weaknesses: | a little narrow, making pinch-flats a concern | | Similar Products Used: | Sun Rhyno Lite | | Bike Setup: | 12" Louis Garneau Casper XC (asian market) w/ Sun Rhyno Lite front, Mavic D521 rear laced to lx hubs; 26" wide titec hellbent 1/2" risers; 105 short cage rear derailleur; custom 7speed trials-specific cassette | | Bottom Line: | Note: I'm not a downhiller. This rim was used for mtb trials (which suspiciously is not a choice).
This rim was paired with a shimano lx rear hub via 14 guage spokes, handbuilt by a friend. the wheel has performed as well as a similar wheel built from a rhyno lite rim. trials riding usually means fairly low air pressure, so i have dinged the sidewall, but not enough to hinder breaking performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sean hehr
a Weekend Warrior
from calgary, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | don't have one | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | pinkbike.com | | Strengths: | it is welded togathere to make it extra strong | | Weaknesses: | chain saw or a tree haha | | Similar Products Used: | a 321 or a dee max | | Bike Setup: | 03 kona rost with a 01 super t and a 321 in front and a 521 in back hussafelt cranks and more | | Bottom Line: | the rim is a tank I would recamend it to any one looking for a good strong rim. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ted
a Weekend Warrior
from PG
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | tougher than expected | | Weaknesses: | not wide enough for 2.6's | | Similar Products Used: | wienmann, rhinos, bontragers, blah, blah, blah... | | Bike Setup: | boxer w/ this rim, xt 20mm hub, xt dh brake. | | Bottom Line: | this rim has done better than i thought it would over a year of hard urban and fr. when i got it, i thought it would be done by the end of the year, but it's still true, no flat spots or blow up problems. the sad thing is, i'm building a 26/24 fr bike for this year, and it just isn't wide enough to work with the 2.6 up front, but i'm not getting rid of it, worth saving for a spare. if you are an all mtn. cycler that uses 2.3'sor smaller and want a good all round rim for a good price, get these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Salikan
a Downhiller
from Vancouver BC Canada
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | A-Line | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | the product's strength is the product's strength! | | Weaknesses: | it's just plain not weak. no weaknesses here! | | Similar Products Used: | 321, Mag 30, Doubletrack, etc. | | Bike Setup: | used crappy bike with some nice parts (ie rims!) | | Bottom Line: | they're freakishly strong, rim brake compatible, and somewhat light! i've got a 26" 32 hole polished one laced to an XT qr non-disc rear hub that i'd like 2 sell (purely cause i switched 2 discs, and got a complete new bike, not cause they're bad). taking offers! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skinny
a
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Mac's Cycle Center | | Strengths: | -Light
-Strong
-Welded Seam
-Easy to get tyres on
-NEVER goes out of true | | Weaknesses: | -Not as strong as hoped
| | Similar Products Used: | Rhyno Lite - Not strong enough for the rear wheel, but it'll work on the front | | Bike Setup: | DMR Trailstar, 2003 DJ3s, FSA Pig headset, Rhyno Lite front, 521rr, Aricle Bulldog BMX cranks, Formula hubs, SS setup, etc. | | Bottom Line: | This rim rules. I've ridden this rim for a long time (almost a year now). Imagine my sadness when I was finally able to flatspot it. It was an amazing rim that held up to many a case, drop, and tweak. Come to think of it, I wailed on this rim, and it didn't complain once.
RIP my 521 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | strong
light | | Weaknesses: | can't handle very high spoke tension, and will crack if you try | | Similar Products Used: | 321, laserdisc DH, rhinolites | | Bottom Line: | This rim embarasses Rhinolites. It is amazingly strong for it's weight. It's even stronger than some downhill rims I've used.
I hear that the Mavic sponsored downhill pros have their deemax wheelsets with 321's switched out for 521's and then put the deemax labels on them.
It is a pretty narrow rim though, so if you are running bigger tires (say over 2.4 or so) you'll get some squirm. If you run bigger tires get a Mag 30, the other best rim on the market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KIMO
a Weekend Warrior
from AIEA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$72.00 | | Strengths: | Tough, strong rims. Hold trueness very well. Nice charcoal gray anodized finish. | | Weaknesses: | The pins that align the weld joint came loose and are clanking around. | | Similar Products Used: | "NO-NAME" rims that came on the bike.
| | Bike Setup: | GT XCR-4000 | | Bottom Line: | Excellent rims except for the pins mentioned above. Watch out what brake pads you use as certain soft rubber pads will squeal like hell. Solved my squealing problem by using "ceramic" pads. The anodized braking surface has held up so far to the harder rubber ceramic pads. Haven't had to true these rims since I got 'em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey BC
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The Frog | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | This Mavic 521 rim has survived with out any damage 4-8foot stair drops onto flat. 3-16foot drops on dirt. | | Weaknesses: | Can't use it with my 03'Jr.t | | Similar Products Used: | ryno lites....cheap but, need to be trued all the time | | Bike Setup: | Kona Firemountain hardtail
D521 Fr. Marzocchi QR20 hub
Alex supra sigma rr. Specialized S.T.O.U.T hub
race face forged cranks Snafu Peddles
Ring god, Black spire rings
Marzocchi 03' Jr.t | | Bottom Line: | Wicked rim that will hold up. I only weigh 145lbs but ride very hard. I am passing it on to a lucky rider, due to lack of disc compatiblity. To all the riders that are cracking or blowing up their D521 rim.... Try not to hit trees as much and upgrade from the suntour and rst front forks you must be using. I can pound into 7inch curbs straight on and my fork absorbs it no problem!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sakari
a Downhiller
from Jyväskylä, Finland
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike & Outdoor | | Strengths: | NONE !! | | Weaknesses: | Broke down at first try in DH-trail. One over 3inch crack in the middle of rim and two over 1,5inch cracks. | | Bike Setup: | Cyclepro Halley Yellah + much more | | Bottom Line: | No more Mavic for me !! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Murphy
a Downhiller
from Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Granton | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | It came with the bike i got | | Strengths: | It is very strong, looks good and it is light | | Weaknesses: | I ahve not come across any problems or weaknesses yet | | Similar Products Used: | I havent used any other products that are similar | | Bike Setup: | Avanti Hotdog, Marzocchi Z3's, shimano cranks, kore handle bars, hayes 6" mechanical disc (front), kenda tires. | | Bottom Line: | It is a strong rim ideal for freeride and downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana
a Weekend Warrior
from Mesa
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Bicycles | | Strengths: | Strong and beefy, wider profile accepts wider tires.
Most of the Mavics I've had before cracked between the eyelets (517-519)not these. | | Weaknesses: | Weight but only for the weight weenies, could only get silver at the time not black. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 517's, 519's, 219D's | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar XLT 21" Shimano XT drive train, Hayes disks, Fox suspension etc... | | Bottom Line: | This the first rear rim I have had that I didn't kill in six months. I'm not what you would call a smooth and gracefull rider, I have a tendency to go over, and through, most stuff that I should go around. I am a clydesdale at 6'7 250lbs and Matt at Adventure Bicycles built this rim up beautifully It has withstood urban assault and trail rides without any problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from St Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kokopelli Trail loops in Fruita | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$180.00 | | Purchased At: | Balwin Cycles | | Strengths: | strong as all hell without being ridiculously heavy; look beefy; don't want to come untrue | | Weaknesses: | as wil all Mavic rims, the rivet in the inside of the rim came loose and now it rattles; also, right on the weld, the front rim has a bit of a ripple that is too small to true, but is noticable when braking on a smooth surface | | Similar Products Used: | Rolf Satellites, Bontrager Corvairs | | Bike Setup: | a frankenbike, with these wheels being the strongest part | | Bottom Line: | first off, the $180 price i quotes up there was for the whole wheelset, which is these rims with wheelsmith spokes and LX hubs. it got a killer deal because the shop owner who built them for me has known me forever.
anyway, for a rider who never seems to loose weight, only gain weight, these rims have been a godsend. they never flex. i've got them set up with 36 spokes, so they are even stiffer than most. but i love these things. i have ridden them for about a year and a half, and i have never had to touch any of the spokes yet. i am so happy with this wheelset. they look really good with the gray anodized color.
bottom line? i weigh around 230, but i can hold my own and then some on the trail in terms of speed. and with all the trials and drops i've done with them, they've been great. now if only i can get a fork that works just as well as this rims do... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a
from Dover, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many too just pick one! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Craft in Parsippany | | Strengths: | REALLY REALLY STRONG! Provides strength with considerable stiffness as well. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | CAAD 4 Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I bought these rims because I wanted someting bombproof and thats what I got. I have flown through so many rock gardens with these rims that I can't even cout them any more and they have stayed perfectly true almost every time. I mostly ride cross country and have never really had a problem with the weight, if I were to start doing epic journeys that took me out for 5 hour rides I might consider buying lighter rims but for anything short of that they are fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Metty
a
from Bridlington, East Yorkshire
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | woolyhatshop | | Strengths: | Very strong, fairly wide and light. If built up properly these wheels are virtually indestructable. | | Weaknesses: | erm... i havent found on after 2 years | | Similar Products Used: | Alex rim, Mavic 217 | | Bike Setup: | DMR Sidekick, Marzocchi Z4s, Mavic D521(CD) on deore rear and D521 silver on deore front. 24/7bar planet X stem, magura hs33, Tioga DH tyres. | | Bottom Line: | This rim is awesome.
I have had this rim on my bike for two years now and it hasnt failed me yet even riding trials and street, it has been thrown off many stair sets and big drops and has still held up. Ive had it trued only twice during the time ive had it. It survived the death of my last frame and is still going strong.
Get this rim built properly and it will stand up to anything you throw at it, its cheap and strong. I strongly recomend it to anyone who tends to land heavily or anyone looking for a rim that can be abused and still run straight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from australia
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | strength, weight, 'value' (last forever), what else can a rim be expected to do | | Weaknesses: | wouldn't mind a few colour options: eg white, black or yellow.. but you can always do that yourself i guess | | Similar Products Used: | mavic d121, d321, f519, deemax. sun rhyno, you name it... | | Bike Setup: | intense m1 w/ progressive, rs boxxers, hope m4 +bulbs +headset, evil srs, dt alpine iii, michelin 32/16, thomson post + stem, easton cullys, xtr, race face ns, odi, etc.. | | Bottom Line: | the 521(cd) is probably the best rim made for freeriding and dh... it is not too heavy, and when built well with good spokes and hubs make them pretty much unbreakable. they can even be built surprisingly light - a friend has king-dt-521 wheels on 2 bikes and they work a treat. almost everyone i know now runs them, some even resisted the move just to be different. they ended up almost needing to buy the other rims by bulk since they simply don't last. i use a 321 on the front to widen the tire a bit, but on the back a 521 is preferable because they don't flat spot as easily as a 321 (or any other 'wide' rim) and they roll a bit faster...
there is a good reason almost every dh racer, freerider, trials rider, etc uses the 521 or a 321/521 combination. note what vouilloz used to rave with and peat still does... i haven't come across any rim which comes close. i can't count how many suns and the rest i've seen taco'd or constantly out of true. they simple aren't made at anywhere near the same standard. maybe they aren't ideal for dropping off cliffs, but you'll need more than a bike wheel for that.
the only thing i might try out in the future is the mavic d3.1 tubeless, but i can't see any point at the moment... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don Pyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Local | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Oslo Sportslager | | Strengths: | Strong | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 223 | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F1000SL | | Bottom Line: | I bought a pair of hand-built D512 +XT hubs for my cannondale at the end of last season. I am a heavy rider, and I swear to God the old Mavic 223s that came stock with the bike were in for truing more than they were on the bike. After six months the new wheels are still as true as when they were mounted. The joy is back in biking. Maybe there is a lighter rim that is just as strong, but for the moment: I recommend these rims for anyone over 230 lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont PQ | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World Cornwall, ON | | Strengths: | Tough, look good, Stays true | | Weaknesses: | None for my style of riding (read crash a lot from riding over my head) | | Similar Products Used: | stock mavic rim that came on the bike, Sun Sub IV | | Bike Setup: | 99 FSR/w JR T, FSA Pig Head set, RF Prodigy DH cranks with bash gard, XT rear LX front derailers, Mavic D521 front rim laced to XT disc hub, rhino lite rear rim laced to stock Specialized hub, XT disc brake(front), stock V brakes (rear), Tioga DH 2.3 front tire 2.1 rear tire, and tioga multi control II seat. | | Bottom Line: | I have had this rim on my bike for 2 years and have abused it every summer. It has been huck numerous times over 10'+ drops, crashed hard, and slamed a car at about 30mph and still is holding its trueness. I brought it in last summer to have the spokes retensioned but it didn't need it. The bottom line on this rim is with a good build the rim is rock solid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Cole
a Cross Country Rider
from Cheltenham, England
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin Cycles | | Strengths: | strong | | Weaknesses: | heavy | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | Orange Gringo | | Bottom Line: | after the weak-as-water WTB rims I got with the bike, I wanted something bombproof. The fact that Steve Peat won the DH World Cup on these rims seemed a good enough recommendation. I've got them laced to XT hubs with the typical sterling Merlin build. I have damaged them: coming off on a DH section at about 30mph. I went one way, the bike went another and I think the impact of the landing broke two spokes. Spokes replaced, and wheel trued and no problem since.
To those criticising these rims, I have to question their wheel build. A wheel is most definately the sum of it's parts, and a wheel built well with these rims, decent hubs and strong spokes will make for a very tough wheel. Without that, the rims can't do it on their own.
Only prob is the added rotating weight, but that just gets you fitter!
$60 seems a bit steep. In the UK the silver rims go for £20-£25, the CD (anodised) ones for about another tenner, with the ceramic ones weighing in at around £50 to dent that wallet. For a front and rear wheel from Merlin, with XT hubs and cassette, I paid £135 ($190?). I just ordered another set for my other bike, on '01 hubs which will set me back £90 ($130?).
And Steve Peat uses them. Nuff said | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andrew wickenden
a
from England
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | fast ones! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | halfords bike hut | | Strengths: | stays true
looks the part
fat | | Weaknesses: | i havent come accross any yet | | Similar Products Used: | none! | | Bike Setup: | mavic D521 rims on lx hubs, rockshox, dmr bars, fsa headset bearings, lx mech, lx shifters, truvatic husselfelt crank set.............. great ............. | | Bottom Line: | Strong rims and advisable for others.................. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Downhiller
from Gdañsk, Poland
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | I have never had any probleems with it this is the best rim i had. It has never made bad or something like that and it's for V-brakes, PRICE!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Weigh (590 gram) but it's only weekness | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | Beautyful :)) (love it) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james wilson
a Weekend Warrior
from england
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | woburn | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$62.00 | | Purchased At: | Chaineyes cycles | | Strengths: | Strong as hell,light as hell | | Weaknesses: | none, you try and find any!!! | | Similar Products Used: | d321, i have not felt any others | | Bike Setup: | GT Chucker frame,dirt jumper 3's,d521's on xt disc hub an lx rear.magura hs33 rear,magura louise disc brake front.azonic world force stem, gusset 3 piece cranks. | | Bottom Line: | You might aswell spend the money on one instead of buying a new rim every week when you drop of a gutter!! what more do you want. I have heard plenty of stories about the rim withhelding something unbelievable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JYLO
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Stiff strong rims. I have only have them trued once in two years of pounding. Weighting at 180, I put a lot on them. They stay strong and true. No complains | | Weaknesses: | Aside from being a little heavy there's really no weaknesses I can think of. | | Bike Setup: | Mountain Cycle San Andreas. Full XT drivetrain with Hayes Hydro brakes and some King and Thomson bits. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent rims that have not failed me. Great inside design that has helped prevent many would-have-been-a-pitch-flat instances. According to Mavic these rims are designed for downhill and freeriding. I do "light" freeriding at best and do mostly trailriding. Still, they remain true after numerous jumps and nasty falls.
I weigh 180lbs so I am not the lightest on the block. Neither are these rims. I climb with them and feel the extra rotating weight. It would be nice but they were a few grams lighter. Then again, they wouldn't be the same rims. Great rims. Strong and sturdy. They are perfect for aggressive and/or heavy riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Putnam
a Downhiller
from marblehead
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | salem cycle | | Strengths: | strong, much better than the rhyno lite that i destroyed | | Weaknesses: | none, you just need to have it built with the right spokes. i have DT 15/14 which makes it flex enough that it never goes out of true | | Similar Products Used: | rhyno lite | | Bike Setup: | trek 4500 for hucking | | Bottom Line: | i dropped a 14 set of stairs to flat with this rim on the back of a hard tail. it got such a small flat spot that it's not even noticable. i've ridden it for 2 months since then and ridden out the flat spot. it's back round again. this thing is strong. the best rim you can run if you can't run disc on the back. much better than a rhyno lite or mammouth | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Manning
a Downhiller
from Toronto, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | balance your soul | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | boyds | | Strengths: | The rims stay farily tue | | Weaknesses: | The spokes come loose all of the time and they crack real easily, I craked 2 brand new D521 's in less than 2 weeks. | | Similar Products Used: | Sun Rim Ryno Lite rims | | Bike Setup: | Freeride | | Bottom Line: | Mavic D521 rims do not last and cant take a beating at all. They are way over priced for what they are. The rims cant be jumped or dropped hard at all or they crack. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael
a Racer
from West Chester, PA
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light/Strong for its purpose. Most of my team racers ran these rims because they are stronger and lighter than the competition. | | Weaknesses: | try again | | Similar Products Used: | D321-for bigger tires. thats pretty much it because i saw WAY too many racers blow up other rims from other companies. | | Bike Setup: | Turner DHR/Dorado/EvilBikes Guide/Michelin Tires/HayesBrakes | | Bottom Line: | I have Mavic rims on all my bikes with good reason. this rims are on both my DS/Jumping bike and my DH rig. I ran them this year and will continue for years to come.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Brummett
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | UCSC North Shore | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Family Cycling | | Strengths: | Single eyelets, seem to hold true very well, hard ano finish is very durable | | Weaknesses: | Old 121's used to be double eyeleted, not really a big deal, but it sure made wheel building a bit faster | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 121, bontrager clydestale, sun rhino lite | | Bike Setup: | Changed bikes a couple times over my test period, started with a SC Heckler, spent the last year and a half on a SC Chameleon, now the same wheelset is on my intense Uzzi SL, setups have been freeride | | Bottom Line: | I ran 121's for a couple of years, when I built up a new wheelset the 521's where replacing the 121 in the Mavic line so I decided to give them a shot. Well, here it is about 2 years later and I am still riding the same rims.
I am not Super Dave or to be confused with any other 10' drop downhiller. I ride hard, am 200lb, hit jumps, and do drops.
I have found these rims to hold their true very well. I can usually go 4-6 months between truing. I haven't had any issues with flat spots or eyelets pulling through, but have seen some stress around eyelets on some of the other 521 wheelsets I have built (I built up about 10 sets while working as a mechanic).
One thing I can say after reading some of the negative reviews of this rim, the build quality and planning can make for a very strong wheel. I built mine up 36h, 14ga straight spokes, and brass nipples. No it isn't the lightest way to build up these rims, but it sure has given me a good lifespan. I don't feel that the same lifespan would apply to an OEM, machine built, or poorly built wheel using these rims. YMMV, just my $.02.
I would buy them again, and do still recommend them for those who share my riding style and want a durable rim. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roscoe
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Jones Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Ted's Bicycle Shop - Coolest little shop on the planet! | | Strengths: | Strong; can take big hits; stay true; good braking surface if used with v-brakes; | | Weaknesses: | None, really - heavy, but that's how they were designed and that's why they kick butt. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic x517s w/ XT hubs; other crappy stuff. | | Bike Setup: | Devinci Kingpin; RS Psylo SL; Mavic D521s w/ XT disc hubs; TruVativ Hussefelt Rockguard cranks; XT drivetrain; Tioga Factory DH 2.3s; Thompson post and stem; Easton Scandium bars; King headset; and a bunch of little Salsa goodies. | | Bottom Line: | The high price above reflects XT disc hubs and the fine building job. These rims kick butt for sure. They are very strong and have taken hits in the rear quite well (bike is a hardtail and I weigh a bit more than average dudes). They are now being used with disc brakes, so the braking surfaces will catch a break, so to speak. Great rim for heavy freeriders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Meeeeep Censored
a Downhiller
from Salisbury
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | CEEEENNNCOOORRREEDD | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$123321.00 | | Purchased At: | Hayballs, mmm, could have been ripped off... | | Strengths: | Bloooooody strong,
Fairly light for a DH rim
look kind of nice ??? | | Weaknesses: | None really apart from that they dont make a 24 inch version... | | Similar Products Used: | a lot... | | Bike Setup: | DMR Trailstar jumpy droppy frame | | Bottom Line: | Blooody strong, had the back one for a year and have done trials, jumping and drops over that time....I like them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nobody
a Downhiller
from new zealand
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the dh track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 140 nz$ about $70 usd | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | a bit thin | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | crap bits like judy tt witch cost a lot over hear | | Bottom Line: | 4 what i paid for it it rocks cand seem 2 break it a few dints in it though | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joE
a Weekend Warrior
from Nottingham , England
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Felley Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | http://www.thebikeshop.co.uk/ | | Strengths: | Made from Maxtal Aluminium - very stiff
Plenty around
Ceramic option for rim brakes users
CD colour looks the bomb | | Weaknesses: | Could do with a bit more width, but it is a bit old now.Maybe its replacement will solve this problem. | | Similar Products Used: | X517, Sun DitchWitch/Rhyno Lite, X-Lite Phatso, Mavic 321 (soon) | | Bike Setup: | Kona Stuff, Hope C2s, mavic 321s on Hope Sport hubs (soon!) | | Bottom Line: | All in all, an excellent rim for do it all riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | From Trevor Young, pro trials rider, laced to XTR hub | | Strengths: | Quite strong, look good, they will take quite an abuse, even if you land bad | | Weaknesses: | They will come out of true if not adjusted properly. It is so annoying all the immature and ignorant people that suck at putting a wheel together, screw it up, and then blame it on the rim. Learn how to work on a bike and go ride and have fun. And to all you people who realize the greatness of this rim, rock on and keep it real. | | Similar Products Used: | a very weak rim that i can not remember, and a Mavic 551 | | Bike Setup: | bike trial, XTR/XT and a couple LX | | Bottom Line: | This is a superb rim, that is perfect for people that do not mind a little bit of weight, very good for Bike Trials, dirt jumping and possibly cross country. I guess you could use it for downhill too, but it might not be beefy enough. If you get a chance, you should definitly try these rims out. Whatsup to all my trials compadrés out there, you will love this rim! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Racer
from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bike Trial | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike group | | Strengths: | Strong, i am using the 32 hole version and do bike trial, so it work very well. | | Weaknesses: | price, a little bit heavy... | | Similar Products Used: | Rigida, Mavic x-139(crappy) | | Bike Setup: | Vuelta trials frame, shimano LX, maguras hs33 raceline... | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a strong, capable rim you may go to this... do not spect a superb downhill indestructible rim, but is close to that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Firth
a Cross Country Rider
from Truro, Cornwall, UK
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere interesting... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$38.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | Strong--stay true and round. Will take trueing if needed. It's a Mavic--looks nice and built well. | | Weaknesses: | Pretty heavy for XC...worth it for peace of mind though! Seem to dish quite quickly... | | Similar Products Used: | Some Weinmann rims- I'm mostly doing comparisons with friends experences. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardrock ['01] A1 Alu frame, Alivio transmission with LX rear mech, Manitou SixSuper forks, Deore rear Hub [not so hot], HS33s hitting D521s....and so-on | | Bottom Line: | Tough! I've had 3 in the last 1.5 years. One lasted fine 'till dropped 20 feet without a tyre on it. Don't ask....! 1 year-old 521 i have on the back has been slammed into a kerb with a low tyre, exactly on the weld seam. Still only bent by 3mm or so, and trued almost fine. Also been hit sideways once hard..again trued OK. Front one i've had for 6 months,has stayed totally true.
Really, i've only bent them through being stupid, i'd be suprised if you bend them in 'normal use'! Theyr'e not expensive either!
Not for weight weenies are they really? Who cares if you just want to ride...i'd reccomend one on the rear anyway. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from st John's Newfounland
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | kemount hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Earle Industries | | Strengths: | very strong! | | Weaknesses: | i find the valve hole cuts my valve. | | Similar Products Used: | sunrims cr18 | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Fusion, Rock Shox Jett's | | Bottom Line: | great rim very strong, a little bit on the heavy side. The guy at the bike shop said that they find best success with this rim i all riding conditions. I'm a cross country rider and i don't find that much of a weight diffrence between this rim and my sunrim. I recomend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anton Zhuravlev
a Racer
from Russia. Moscow
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Giant representatives | | Strengths: | cool at riding. rather light,good for trials brake pads do their job perfectly | | Weaknesses: | rather often corrupted | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 321, Alex DM32, Alex Dm 24 | | Bike Setup: | TRIALS- Stock with mavic221 with XT, mavic521 with LX | | Bottom Line: | i like Mavic, it's easy to correct their form and to make wheels with them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Olly
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Very Strong, go out of true very rarely. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, but come on there are no amazingly strong rim, which are light. And anyone buying these rims probably won't care about weight anyhow! | | Similar Products Used: | No name crappy steel rims.
Sun Rhynos. | | Bottom Line: | These rims are really good and really strong. Get them built up well and then last for ages. In one year of hard riding (jumps, drops, street) I've had to have them trued once and that was casing a jump going way too fast. I guess Jerome must just have got a dodgy pair or had them built up badly, cos I've done stuff quite a bit bigger than 2-3ft drops on D521's and had no probs.
To summarise really strong rim for 'freeride'/jumps/street or a good back rim for trials. Definitely not a rim for XC (too heavy) or high level downhill (not strong enough). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerome
a Downhiller
from Worcester, Ma USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | moderatly priced, stay in true | | Weaknesses: | after an hour of riding just doing 2-3 ft drops the nipples beganto pull the eyelets through the rim wall, there are stress marks at nearly every eyelet, i bought these yesterday and already the wheels are trashed and only weigh about 140 | | Similar Products Used: | sun ditch witches (lasted longer than these did and cheaper) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Kona Roast, D 521's , marzocchi z4 100mm coil | | Bottom Line: | these wheels are light but if u intend on doing ANYTHING harsh dont get them | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Toby Brayley
a Cross Country Rider
from Fareham Hampshire England
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Bikes | | Strengths: | I own a D 521 ceramic on a XC hope mono hub these are a gr8 combinatio the d 521 is a trusty strong bomb proof wheel for those on a relitivly cheap {ish} budget i dont treat well but it doesnt even get slighty buckled | | Weaknesses: | i am a Jeyboy so its the wieght which is most peoiples weakness about the wheel but you have got 2 compramise! | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 517 {light but weak} | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4500 d521s {f,r} on hope monos XT groupset Panaracers bomber Z5s and DX spd pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great get em for trials and XC they r a fantastic and popular rim thats the bottom line | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roellio
a Weekend Warrior
from Venray holland
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Every trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Very Stiff and strong rim | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 221
| | Bike Setup: | American eagle 750 Durango
Lx setup | | Bottom Line: | I really like these rims they are very strong and stiff.
When i crackt my mavic 221 on the front,I both this rim,
and i like it. So a both another one on the back.
So now i have, 2 Mavic D521 cd with lx hubs on my bike.
and now you can ride with out any problems of cracking up
my rims, (i hope)
SO...if you are a freerider and not a weight freak
Dann these are very good rims | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Temple, Texas
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Medivac Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet | | Strengths: | Bomb-proof for XC and medium downhill. 200+ lb aggressive rider. Only had to true them after first ride. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 221 (what a joke)
Mavic 517 (good racing rims) | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper M4 Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Great all around rim for training and riding the rough stuff. A little heavy ( = very strong) but that's the point. Makes my race rims seem like feathers. If you don't liking truing rims after rides these babies are for you. Put them on and forget them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brownman
a
from loops, bc
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS fb | | Strengths: | Stays true.... doesn't flex... stays true... stays true... | | Weaknesses: | Expensive at $90 canadian a rim. Went out of true a couple times during the first few weeks, no problems since. | | Similar Products Used: | Rhyno Lites (not-so-great) | | Bottom Line: | This is the best rim I have ever ridden... I have it laced to a rear Shimano Parallax (ha) and it has held up to my mad un-smoothness and casing stuff. I am building up a front onto a 20mm hub of some sort for my new bike, I would use it as a rear, but they don't come in 24"! If Mavic made a 24" d521, I'd buy it! Take my word for it, buy this rim, I haven't had to true it for almost a year! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin, CA USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I'm on | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Incredibly robust rim. If you build these into a wheel CORRECTLY!!!!!! they can't be beat. I weigh 225 and slam things hard, and I have not even had to true in two years. I am meticulous and build my own wheels so that may make the difference. I am perplexed at all the people who have them go out of true, or break, immediately. Probably the result of a poorly built wheel. | | Weaknesses: | I guess weight if you care. Although there are 448 grams to a pound and that equates to about .5% of most riders weight - I don't get the fuss (unless you have <5% body fat) | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 121, 217, Sun Rhyno lite, Salsa Gordo | | Bike Setup: | Salsa, King, XTR, White Industries, Marzocchi! | | Bottom Line: | It's a great rim, period, end of discussion! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Racer
from az
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | adventure bicycle co. | | Strengths: | super stout | | Weaknesses: | the wedge inside the rim moves around about every 6 months. | | Similar Products Used: | ryno lites and 517's | | Bike Setup: | conejo ap5-at is on the way | | Bottom Line: | i've raced this set of wheels for two years and have yet to bend one. I have ripped spokes out of the rear wheel, but that is all. I'm 6'4" and 245 lbs. this rim set has been on 4 different bikes and has taken the beating. having a new set built up with disc hubs now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kristian
a Weekend Warrior
from Helsinki, Finland, Europe
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Fox Comp | | Strengths: | Very strong rims. I use them on my Planet-X RAD for freeriding. Stairs, Dirt, Drops etc. I weight 85kg so the rims have to be strong to stay in shape. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Other Mavics | | Bike Setup: | Planet-x RAD, Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1... | | Bottom Line: | If you wan't strong rims for freeriding... get these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Downhiller
from Coventry
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | I actually do Trials but that wasn't an option. I run the d521 with an LX hub and it's damm strong! I'm a beginner and have just started doing 4 ft drops and land then heavily and it's held up well. | | Weaknesses: | No rim tape supplied | | Similar Products Used: | DDG Wheelset, Bomber Extremes | | Bike Setup: | DDG Shooter, DDG bars and stem, FSA Power pro's, DDG Wheel on the front D521 with LX hub at the rear | | Bottom Line: | These rims are very strong and have given me confidence to try higher drops. Before I had this rim on the back my highest drop waso only ust over 2ft and the day I had this rim I was takiong 4ft drops. It has the strength to support a fairly big rider that isnt particulary smoove yet. If you have been riding trials for a few months I would strongly suggest getting this Rim for the rear wheel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Gehret
a Cross Country Rider
from Trabuco Canyon, Ca
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Water fall-Santiago Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Sea Schwinn | | Strengths: | I have had these for two years now, and have only had to true them once, as I broke a spoke on the rear wheel. Bombproof. I weigh 230 lbs. | | Weaknesses: | A bit on the heavy side if you count grams. | | Similar Products Used: | Sun rims. Mavic 517 ceramics. Sun rhyno Lite | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 900sx with Lefty and Hayes Disc Brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Very strong. Will get the job done whether you are riding drops, or blasting through rock gardens. Will last forever if you are running disc brakes, as Linear pull brakes eventually weaken the braking wall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cameron johnson
a Downhiller
from chapel hill
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | mine | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | nada | | Strengths: | looks good | | Weaknesses: | stress and cracks on the eyelets,bend easy,cracked a 521
after 2 days of fun riding pos damn it , and when tried to see what mavic would do for me they were a**holes and told me it was my problem for riding rough ugg what a waste of money , friends dont let friends ride mavic | | Similar Products Used: | nothen like a mavic pos | | Bike Setup: | super 8 monster t the works | | Bottom Line: | buy a sun rim or intence for free ride or dh | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Blowers
a Racer
from -
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | - | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Planet Bikes | | Strengths: | Can't Buckle it escecialy on a snowflake build with any hub | | Weaknesses: | Tere isn't | | Bike Setup: | Trials And Jump | | Bottom Line: | Good strong rim | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew klauser
a Cross Country Rider
from feldafing
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | rabe munich | | Strengths: | stiff, strong, ceramic, | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 217 Ceramic | | Bike Setup: | 1. Hot Chili Zymotic Hardtail, Marzocchi Atom 80 '00 ShimXT, 2. TREK 9900 OCLV, Manitou SX Carbon, Shim XTR | | Bottom Line: | Being 220lbs, I am an addict of strong wheels. Use the Mavic 521 Ceramic with 36 DT comps in both wheels in both bikes, in the Hot Chili with ShimXT hubs, in the Trek with tune Mig75/Mag215 hubs. Wheels met with no hard core DH stuff, but anything else. No problems at all, not even trueing necessary (wheels were built by Rabe in Munich and Whizz Wheels, respectively, both first class fumblers). These Mavic should do for all but extreme DH racing. No question, two fives. Ceramic surface should be mandatory for each serious rider not using disks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kaukasar
a Downhiller
from Sweden, Stockholm
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Flottsbro DH race track | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | cykelcity | | Strengths: | Light for beaing a DH rim, cheap i guess | | Weaknesses: | Not strong & wide enough 4 DH & hard freeride. Try Big Mammoth instead. | | Similar Products Used: | mavic X series | | Bike Setup: | Kona Caldera 99, adapted to freeride (this is my old bike, im racing DH on my Kona Stinky) | | Bottom Line: | Strong, untill yog starting to do big jumps & dropps. For XC riding, they are great, even for light DH & FR, but if you wanna race DH, or riding realy hard, they wont hold 4 long. (my wheels are well built, so thats not da problem!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Downhiller
from edmonton
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$66.00 | | Strengths: | It spins | | Weaknesses: | The rim loses true to easily and stress cracks everywhere. | | Similar Products Used: | Sun Mammoth... UNbreakable. | | Bike Setup: | Gt frame with Pyslos and XT all around. Mammoths on XT discs. | | Bottom Line: | IT is not one of the best bangs for your buck... look at a mammoth if wait does not concern you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob cole
a Downhiller
from London
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Aston Hills, England | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Yellow Jersey, Camden, London | | Strengths: | Cheap(ish)
Wide for big tires
Strong under impacts | | Weaknesses: | stress-cracking around nipples | | Similar Products Used: | loads of mavic, araya, Fir, Sun rims | | Bike Setup: | Identiti Dr. Jekyll 24" wheel jump bike | | Bottom Line: | I got these rims because they were highly recommended. I have a 32H on the front and a 36H on the rear. The front rim is 4 months old, and the rear rim 1.5 months old. Both have stress-cracking around the nipples, and the nipples have started to pull through the rim surface!
This is pretty crap for a rim listed by Mavic as a "dual/dh" rim. I use disc brakes, but I'm not a heavy lander (no smacking the back wheel into the jump!) so it shouldn't have happened. Someone told me this has happened to plenty of 521 rims, Mavic are aware of this problem but won't warranty my rims as they've been ridden down a hill! What a load of crap! I wish I'd got Halo Combat or Sun Rhyno as I've got to spend £100 on new rims and wheel building. MAVIC SUCKS! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scotty
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cove Bikes | | Strengths: | Light (for a DH rim), Really strong, Just wide enough for FAT tires (2.3 & up), great braking surface | | Weaknesses: | Showing signs of stress (surface micro-fractures around nipples) but not a problem as yet | | Similar Products Used: | mavic x139, rhyno lites | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hardtail setup for freeride a urban commuting | | Bottom Line: | Thes rims are awesome!! Stock mavics lasted 3 months, rhyno's 6 months, d321's are going on a year with minimal truing. The quality of your wheel build is the most important aspect but these rims will survive severe punishment. curbs, up&down stairs, 4-5' drops onto flat pavement no problem. V-brakes & boosters w/fibrax pads brake as well as my 8" hayes(when its dry) on the Stinky. Braking surface is still like new & I'm on my 3rd set of pads. Get them on a well built wheel a unless you really screw up, this will be the last rim you buy for a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trounce
a
from mississippi
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | NONE NONE NONE NONE NONE NONE NONE NONE | | Weaknesses: | EVERY THING, they look dumb, they are to weak to go of curbs, there heavy, there soooo outa tru from riding to the STORE! they are ugly | | Bottom Line: | these rims aint so good the bike shop guy told me to get mammoths but i didnt listion, SO ALL U GUYS THINKING ABOUT GETING THESE GET SOME SUM MAMMOTHS THEY WILL SAVE UU IL THE LONG RUN! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sensible Nick
a Downhiller
from Shrewsbury, shropshire, UK
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast, and near vertical. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Wheelpro.co.uk | | Strengths: | erm.. they're mavics?
strong
strong
and strong | | Weaknesses: | um.... nope... can't think of any.
(uless you're a weight freak, but if you need rims this strong.... you won't care about small things like weight...)
(Idiots who can't build wheels buy them, and expect them to be strong when they 'build' them into a wheel. That's a weakness). | | Similar Products Used: | sun x-tra fat thingies, D321's, ditch witches, Halo combats (24" and 26") | | Bike Setup: | currently, Z1 Drop-offs, Native Eco frame, (14" dual) D321's, bulb hubs and hope open disks LX splinedrive cranks with 42t chainring etc. it gets me around, and I buy it nice bits. Good deal. | | Bottom Line: | These rims Kick ass (not as much as D321's) and are as tough as hell, I've been in hospital, ad these rims got away scott free.
if you think these rims are weak LEARN TO BUILD YOUR WHEELS PROPERLY
These rims are only as good as your Building. If you can build well, your rims will outlast you.
If your rims break/buckle, your building sucks, or you ride like Seth Enslow (in which case I worship you)
Strong. Buy'em. Ride'em. Thrash'em. You'll love them.
Full complement of flamin' turds please barman. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garson
a Downhiller
from WEST MASS!
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gap Mountain, NH (early in the morning, it's illegal) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Peak Performance (best in west mass, or north east, for that matter) | | Strengths: | Light, Strong, Braking is amazing, wide enough to run some 3.0 tires (I don't) | | Weaknesses: | mabey a little wider, $10 dollars extra for black, so I got silver, not available in 24" | | Similar Products Used: | Hed (indestructable, but so's a tractor), d321s (Nice, but I've got V's), About six different suns, which all break too easily, (0 lites, sub 4s) are too heavy (read double wide/modo), or both (rhyno lite, mammoth) | | Bike Setup: | K2 beast, blackspire, kujo, raceface northshore isis | | Bottom Line: | These are great. I would have gotten 321s or arrows, but I don't have discs. The machined breaking surface stops beyond belief good, no extra charge for 36 hole, for anyone who is harsh on rims and runs Vs, these are the ticket. When I get discs, though, I'm getting arrows. For a heavy trailrider, freerider, or even as a dh race only (not training, 55 lb bikes take thier toll on even the burliest rims) these CANNOT BE BEAT! I am very pleased and will definately transfer them to my xc bike to replace my crosslands as soon as I get my new dh/fr bike built. If you use Vs an can afford them, getting 521s will make you very happy. Enough said, I'm going riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
*cHeAsEyPEas*
a Weekend Warrior
from chester
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | God knows | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | The Edge | | Strengths: | everything realllllly gud wheel so far aint had a complaint yet(touch wood) | | Weaknesses: | nothing really better sticker would be nice though? | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey crap wheels that cam with the bike (they were like riding poo not that i ride poo that is lol) | | Bike Setup: | hope bulbs with enduro4's, sintesi snake, z1 mcr 24-7 handle bars and stem, xtr rear mech DMR elite chain device on the front DMR V12 pedals middleburn 3 piece cranks. | | Bottom Line: | they are mint!! they are the perfect all round stylee rim
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Weekend Warrior
from canterbury, kent, england
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | i dunno | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | bombproof, light, they rule, look great, etc, etc, etc.... oh, they survived a crash that totalled a set of judy races... I ride hard | | Weaknesses: | they could be wider 2 make my tires look bigger, no, sod it, leav them | | Similar Products Used: | Alex, 138, in short, these r so good, they have lasted the whole time ive bin MTBing, | | Bike Setup: | Identiti, formerly a univega(also snapped, but univega replaced without fuss:) ), formerly the Judy's, now Z5's, panaracers/tiogas | | Bottom Line: | y buy nething else?
they r bombproof & light. u know who should buy them.....
My riding style is harsh, not the biggest stuff ever, but it wrecks any bike kit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mortimer
a Weekend Warrior
from ...
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | NONE! | | Weaknesses: | EVERY THING | | Similar Products Used: | MY WHEELS ON MY TRICYCLE | | Bike Setup: | Tricycle | | Bottom Line: | These wheels are to week to be droping CURBS, they need truing more than once a week, maby i ride to hard on my 3 wheelier??? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from dimmer, castle cary, England
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike shop | | Strengths: | SSSSSTTTTTRRRROOOONNNNGGGGG rim | | Weaknesses: | i dunno | | Similar Products Used: | x-lite rims | | Bike Setup: | hard arse duel rig | | Bottom Line: | buy this rim and never worry about bent wheels | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Bath, Wilts, UK
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Box Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Merlin | | Strengths: | Very strong. Looks good. Not that heavy. Very cheap | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy! | | Similar Products Used: | crappy rims that came with Bike | | Bike Setup: | LX hub, oh D521's. rest is Deore stuff on a trek frame. | | Bottom Line: | well i ride trials, DH, XC, everything.. and these are absoloutely wonderful for all of them. THey are every so slightly out of true atm, due to a crash so bad that i sprained my ankle and wrist, but these wheels are as good as they get. I did manage to dent them, dropping off a ledge on the edge of a kerb...pinch puncture.. but i managed to get the dent out and it is not affected in neway.
If u r on a budget, and like doing a bit of everything, these are ideal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MAMUTU
a Weekend Warrior
from Bucuresti
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle World Miami | | Strengths: | Very hard to brake, smooth braking, nice looking. The best downhill rim for this price | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Vuelta airline 1, wiessman | | Bike Setup: | Royce Union frame, RST fork, full XTR 2000 | | Bottom Line: | If U want sonething hard to brake, if U are a big guy, like me, buy this rim. It's the best !!! I made some 6ft. jumps and didn't broke'em. It rulzzz ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Baba
a Weekend Warrior
from alamo, ca
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with big jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Strong, stiff, you never need to true them, except during the "breaking-in" period | | Weaknesses: | cheap sticker | | Similar Products Used: | x221 (crapCRAPcrapCRAP) | | Bike Setup: | GT XCR 2000 (green), Zoke z.3 with heavy springs, Azonic stuff, D521 rims (duh), Nokian Gazzaloddi Dual tires, the goods... | | Bottom Line: | A really strong rim. Its WAY better than the x221- i separated the joint (the crap's not welded) in the first two months. I do a lot of dirt jumping and slalom riding, so this is a really good rim. also, the silver color complements my tires. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Mickus
a
from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | McPhail's Cycle, Waterloo, Ont. | | Strengths: | Looks like good strong rim, but after 2 seasons of use,(maybe 9000 km) have a problem with splitting from center of spoke hole along rim (back wheel), wheels start going out of true because of this problem. | | Weaknesses: | Splitting at spoke holes, along rims. Will never purchase these rims again, would have to assured from Mavic that this problem has been fixed. | | Similar Products Used: | Sun Mammoth | | Bike Setup: | Kona Fire Mountain repainted with XT changers/brakes/hubs, LX crank. | | Bottom Line: | These rims quite strong but except for the MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE SPLITTING/CRACKING at the spoke holes, I could not recommend these rims as a upgrade for any bike. Would recommend that anyone thinking of purchasing Mavic D521, purcahse Sun Mammoth or other downhill rims. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mel
a Downhiller
from sydney
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Strong as, lightish, quality build, nice finish, adaptable | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | araya, 321s, alex | | Bike Setup: | gt00id3, azonic, hope dh4s, fox, xt etc | | Bottom Line: | is that they are the best for the moneee, i have em on XT hubs with hope dh4s discs, which they have no problem handling, drops, rocks, ruts, stairs, etc, has to be the best general purpose rim! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a
from Mansfield England
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mnsfield town center | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | merlin cycles | | Strengths: | Strong,light(ish),handled an 8 foot drop with ease. I landed a 6 foot drop with the bike leaning over and they stayed straight. | | Weaknesses: | erm? | | Similar Products Used: | Alex DH rims but i folded the back one | | Bike Setup: | Coyote slalom frame full XT group RST alfalfa TLs Magura HS33's | | Bottom Line: | absolutly brilliant rims, Buy them from merlin on LX hubs for £85 and you cant go wrong.For trials and jumping you cant go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Greene
a Racer
from Austin
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | various | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sport Shop | | Strengths: | Light, hard core tough, stay true | | Weaknesses: | none that I can think of | | Similar Products Used: | trash | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback V-2, Judy Extra Long on front (5.5 inches), stock on rear (4 inches). | | Bottom Line: | I ride my bike all day, every day and I beat the hell out of these wheels. I bought 'em for their reputation. I have ridden them about 6 months now and I have slightly bent the rear bead groove, but straightened it out with a cresent wrench. Cant even tell on ride or braking. I hit curbs pretty hard since I ride through a lot of parking lots chasing cars. I have taken about a 5 foot drop without even thinking about it and never had a problem. Only had to true up the rear rim the time I bent the edge, but other than that, they rock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Downhiller
from calgary canada
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | i wish | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike shop | | Strengths: | strong
light (for a dh rim) | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | xc rims | | Bike Setup: | blizaard, z1, north shore cranks, etc. | | Bottom Line: | these rims are great. i got two about half a year ago both are super strait! i cracked the rear one but when spun the wheel was still strait, im goin to be building another wheel with these very soon cause there so great. i constantly hit the rim on wheelie drops in 5-6ft range and still stays striat never trued em ever what a great rim. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harrison
a Downhiller
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Not too expensive, straight and round before getiing laced, stainless eyelets, machined seam welds | | Weaknesses: | large concrete walls with low tire pressure | | Bottom Line: | Great lighter weight downhill rims, if they're laced up good, they stay straight(round doesn't matter). I have never tried riding up a 4ft practically vertical wall and not totally blow a wheel up, with these rims all I got was a large flat spot. Can't go wrong with these if you can find them. It's Mavic, it's gotta be good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe
a Downhiller
from hull
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | spook wood | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | incredibly strong | | Weaknesses: | none so far, these rims are the daddy's | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | saracen n-zyme, full LX, magura's | | Bottom Line: | these rims are strong as F**k. i have been using my 2 year old rim on an shimano LX hub for 6 months (i bought the wheel second-hand), and i ride hard (6 foot drops etc)i have only had to true them once, and that was only a little buckle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Racer
from az
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All of the Sedona trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Adventure Bicycle Co. | | Strengths: | These wheels rock!!!! They are bomb proof. They look good, they stay true longer (I can go months before they need any kind of adjustment). I'm 6'4" and 230lbs. These wheels are for the big boys. I use them on my race bike. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 517's | | Bike Setup: | '00 I-Drive moving them to my '01 Super Light when it arrives | | Bottom Line: | I loved Mavic rims on my bmx bike in the 1980's and I love them on my mountain bike now. Thanks to Matt at Adventure for building me the best set of wheels ever!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Ayer
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Groton Town | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Go to Gear Works! | | Strengths: | Everything. I weigh 205 pounds and beat these things like my wife (just kidding) and they still come back for more. Only went out of true once, and that was during the break in period. I have them set up with 14 gauge DT spokes and XT hubs. | | Weaknesses: | This isnt really a weekness, but I wish I got the black ones (I have the silver). | | Similar Products Used: | ZAC 19's. HA!! DONT GET THESE!! | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Cannondale F500. Lots of expensive after market crap | | Bottom Line: | If you are a heavy rider, or you keep bending your rims, these will solve your problems. These rims are a lot wider than regular rims and they just feel stronger. I've had them trued once during the break in, and thats it. Just buy'em, get'em laced and stop worrying about your wheels! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James D
a
from Honolulu
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | St. Louis Heights | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | barnfields | | Strengths: | Rim is fairly strong for downhill, and if built correctly, it can go for quite a while without needing a true. | | Weaknesses: | Product fails under midsized drops. After doing about 6-10 ft drops, multiple rim cracks developed. This seems a little unusual but then again the rim is a year old. | | Bike Setup: | Super eight, all the regulars. | | Bottom Line: | A good rim, but watch out for product durability under extreme use. All in all, its a pretty good deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Downhiller
from South Wales, UK
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Various Stores | | Strengths: | Strong, very cheap, light | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Sun Double Wides, Planet X BMF, | | Bike Setup: | Correctly. | | Bottom Line: | For the price there are now rims that can touch the D521's. The only thing is to make sure you have the wheels built up by a good wheel builder. My set ran on LX hubs and remained true for nearly a year before they needed adjustments. I've seen sets built badly, but even then the rims withstood a fair amount of abuse. They are nice and light as well, perfect for trials. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Downhiller
from uk
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Every thing about this rim is strong. Basically its a kick ass rim. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | SUN | | Bottom Line: | One of the best rims that you can buy. Its a beast | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Heywood
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Secret | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | They are so damn strong! What more do you want? Lighter than other DH rims. These are the only rims I have not actually trashed. | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than XC rims, but you can't have everything. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 217, 231, 230, Bontrager... | | Bike Setup: | Cove Stiffee, XT/XTR, Pace RC-37, set-up for playing. | | Bottom Line: | Can't beat 'em. Just try smashing them up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jay
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Wheelpro England | | Strengths: | Strong | | Weaknesses: | ????? | | Similar Products Used: | 517s 238s Ritchey rock comp/OCRs | | Bike Setup: | Heckler XTR Hope bulbs and discs raceface and all that | | Bottom Line: | I weigh 240lbs and ride hard jump and all sorts never had to true them in 2 years dispite some huge rock related trouble. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julian Roostmeister
a Downhiller
from Portland
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Chutes and Ladders | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | FTF | | Strengths: | An idiot mechanic laced them two cross to an XT hub, but I still haven't had to true them in 6 months. (Maybe I don't ride hard enough?!?!?!?) | | Weaknesses: | none that I can figure out. two years. no problems. i ride hard. hardtail style. | | Similar Products Used: | I went through three Sun CR18's and two OEM Mavics
| | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar, Judy XLC, Magura HS22's, Race Face cranks, MRP,Azonic H-bar, Tioga 2.3 f/2.1 r, XT r deraileur | | Bottom Line: | I ride these mickey fickeys hard. I've had no problems. Bottom Line:
they rock | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Downhiller
from Hull,Lincolnshire,UK
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Doncaster: Steetlys quarry | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | They look good and are meant to be strong but how come i've broken d521 rims in the last month and a half,and had 6 rebuilds? | | Weaknesses: | Not as strong as you think,get a Sunn Mammoth instead.
| | Similar Products Used: | Sunn Rhyno | | Bike Setup: | Specialized,D521,Sunn Mammoth,Magura Tomacs,Z4,Tioga 2.1,lx,DMR,PlanetX..... | | Bottom Line: | Too weak for me, buy some Sunn Mammoths instead, they're around the same proce and alot stronger.
.....broken d521 rims in the last month and a half,and had 6 rebuilds.......
A slightly overrated rim.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Aspley Woods, Woburn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great Looks
Damn Tough
Pretty Light for a DH rim
Decent Price | | Weaknesses: | Maybe they're too GOOD to be hammered | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Rock Comp OCR (rubbish) | | Bike Setup: | DDG Shooter, RockShox Judy Races, 521CDs, Hope hubs, Deore Transmission | | Bottom Line: | If u want a real hard-ass rim that'll last a large amount of serious abuse and looks good too, this is the rim 4 u. Sun rims r good 2, but for sheer looks, these anodised rims from the frenchies win hands down. Hey they must be good - Steve Peat and Nico both use em to good effect! They even stood up to Steve's puncture half-way down one of the World rounds - and he still finished 6th! How hard is that? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Mullholland
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ?????? | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Strong
Good shape
looks cool
light compared to other downhill rims
| | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | sun mamoth rims | | Bike Setup: | 17"Specialized hardrock A1 with D521's,Magura Racelines,Titec risers,LX chainset with ROCKRING,Deore rear mech,DDG saddle, (SET UP FOR TRIALS RIDING) | | Bottom Line: | This rim is cheap in cost compared to other rims
Not that heavy for a downhill rim
I have done 6 foot drop off's with it and the buckle is nothing to worry about (just out of the true line)
ACE FOR THE MONEY
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JC
a Cross Country Rider
from NY, NY
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All that is technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | strong and somewhat lightweight | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | 517
WTB Speedmaster | | Bike Setup: | Giant XtC SE2, full xt w/ race face, titec cockpit, and so on | | Bottom Line: | I had this wheel build with XT hubs, 14g spokes and brass nipples with the hope it ability to survive a nuclear attack. I have delivered a beating on the wheel (particularly with my weight, about 200lbs) and I have not had to service, yet. It is a dynamite complement to my X517 front wheel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
charlie tlesco
a Downhiller
from mtn. view
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | hippoty hop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | good strong rim bomb proof | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | 517 321 | | Bottom Line: | awesome rim is indestructable and awesome looking and works great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Southampton UK
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Really nice construction, and little thigs shch as a gizmo to fill in the valve hole to take the high pressure valves.
Very strong, and not too heavy. Quite cheap (£20) | | Weaknesses: | None so far... | | Similar Products Used: | crap cheap mavics | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz cameleon - as trails bike | | Bottom Line: | These rims are sooo good, i built and trued the wheel myself (first time i've done that) and have thrashed the wheels since and have not had to true them at all. Their width also helps with mud clearence when running v's as the arms are a long way fron the walls of the tyres | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
REES
a
from ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | warley | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | super strong, light(ish) | | Weaknesses: | this rim ain't weak | | Similar Products Used: | weinman crap rims, x517, d321, f519(one week) | | Bike Setup: | small hardtail, bomber z1, tioga factory downhill 2.30. | | Bottom Line: | this rim kicks proverbial arse. it rules. these rims have survived jumping, trials, trails, downhill and deul. nuff said. and i've just bought a new pair. ride these if you are hardcore or want a strong rim that'll last ages. my rims have stayed true over 2 years of abuse the only reason i've changed my wheels is because the hubs are nakered and the braking surface is wearing out. these rims rule. buy'em or i'll shoot ya. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Cole
a
from Wales
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | i have found my lovely shiny set of d521 cd ceramics to be very strong staying true even for me | | Weaknesses: | i have put numerous compresion dents in them and knocked them out of true and i only ride trials | | Similar Products Used: | none of the same quality | | Bike Setup: | I HAVE A MERLIN MALT 1 SET UP FOR TRIALS | | Bottom Line: | IT'S A GOOOOOD RIM BUT GET STANDARD D521'S IF YOUR A HEAVY RIDER OR JUST DINT TAKE THAT MUCH CARE OF YOUR BIKE.
BUT I STILL LIKE THE RIM FOR THE INCREDIBLE STOPPING POWER IT GIVES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kcirtaP
a Cross Country Rider
from Serra Mesa, CA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | *Pretty Light for a downhill rim (590g.)
*Great steering due to width
*Looks trick
*Mavic features-SUP welds,Maxtal alloy,machined sidewalls
*Can you say bombproof? | | Weaknesses: | ...Didn't get one sooner
Some might say heavy, not me!
Price? | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 222,221,517
stock Weinmann paper thin piece o' craps
| | Bike Setup: | Specialized Hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | First of all I'm a cross-country, freeridin, weekend warrior,urban assaulting, downhill racer. Each day=different type of riding. OK... This rim is the real deal. I have tried a lot of Mavic's and wasn't very impressed. Decided to give D521 a chance and it's perfect for how I ride. 2 months and not even the slightest bend. I destroyed my old Weinmann in less than 2 months. My only concern was the price (Sun rims are cheaper) and the new F519 freeriding rims which weigh 460g. But those are like $79. I know I made the right choice. Buy them now! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pablo-A.esq.
a Racer
from vic. Australia.Earth
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All full-on,technichal tracks everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | BALLSEY...VERY BALLSEY.My first set of mavic rims were 117's ,purchased aprox.'94.After dinging the rear hitting a gutter @about 40Km/h(urban MTB)I used a bit of dirt bike theory & went a wider rear,it offers more strength & ridgidity for brake-slide turns,jumps,drops,&all-round trail caining. | | Weaknesses: | They melt in liquid hot Magma. | | Similar Products Used: | Velocity triple V (candy rim)mavic 117 | | Bike Setup: | IronHorse ARS 680,2000 LX groupset,&XTR rear deraileur,Judy XC rock shox susp.seatpost(awesome)AZONIC bars,stem,seat. | | Bottom Line: | I work in a shop & reccomend nothing less than mavic rims to anyone with rim trouble as they are a dream to true,...if they ever need it.BULLETPROOF...> | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria BC Canada
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | back yard | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | looks great, good rim serface magura pads stick to it great, Strong. I only had to tighten the spokes once , and that was a day after I bought it.(Never been riden on right of the wall) | | Weaknesses: | Some people say its heavy ,this hasn't bothered me though. | | Similar Products Used: | rhyno lites | | Bike Setup: | Bike:Gary Fisher wahoo frame, trials setup, maguras, ect...
Wheel: LX hub, DT spokes, D 521 | | Bottom Line: | This is a great rim ,i have never bent it. I was expecting it to have to be trued every so often but its fine. Even when I land on the corner of a curd while doing trials, and I land on the rim it still holds up. No dents Yet. This rim is great for free riding ,trials, and down hill but for cross country, you might want to go for somthing lighter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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