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Mavic X138

MSRP $
# of Reviews 49
Average Rating 3.08/5
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Submitted by Manj "d man" a Downhiller from Butuan, Philippines
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:Bon2x,pianing, nong2x, dumalagan uphill
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $37.00
Purchased At:my cousin (a former dh/freeride) 2nd hand to me
Strengths:they're bad as they wanna be. Helps you stabilize your cornering. Can handle drops w/out a mess. Light in its class
Weaknesses:heavy for xc racing
Bike Setup:Freeride, nose up, 145mm gts fork,2 wide type rims mavic x138 in front & hen li double track-rear, v-brakes w/ booster, 2.0 specialized enduro front wheel, 2.1 little albert-schwalbe- rear.
Bottom Line:this rims are for dh but also good in freeride in the free world! makes me more confident to ride in the rocks even in a fast pace. No more tacoed drops worries unless your too heavy. Still you can climb but not too fast 'coz of weight. You won't regret this super wide rim folks
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jorge Zayas a Cross Country Rider from San Jose, Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2005
Favorite Trail:Finca las flores
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $100.00
Purchased At:Guilly's bike shop
Strengths:They mantain true no matter what
Good braking surface
Very light and fast
Weaknesses:None so far
Similar Products Used:Sun rims cr18
Bike Setup:Supergo's access full shimano xt
Bottom Line:I've been not only riding on these wheels but abusing them for quite a whike now and they seem to be indestructible, plus the bike looks great.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Steve a Weekend Warrior from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2005
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Purchased At:Bay Sports
Strengths:Been wicked reliable.
Weaknesses:None.
Bike Setup:Full suspension Devinci Massai.
Bottom Line:These rims have been excellent. They came with my bike. I have been riding on them for 5 yrs(light XC, with a few smalldrops here and there) and I have yet to even have them trued (sp?) Front and rear are both still straight as arrows.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by ED a Cross Country Rider from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2004
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Purchased At:Knapps Bikes
Strengths:Lasted 1 year
Weaknesses:Became bent beond Repair
Similar Products Used:N/A
Bike Setup:Specialized 2003 Full suspension FSR Pro Comp Disc
Bottom Line:This Rim is OK for light riding, very light. This thing became so bent the disc got messed up from rubbing the pads constantly. its probobly not good for you if your over 120 lbs and especially not if you own a hardtail.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Peter a Weekend Warrior from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004
Favorite Trail:Old Bay Rd
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $100.00
Purchased At:Christies Cycles
Strengths:Light, durable, holds its true
Weaknesses:No guady clour scheme for posers
Similar Products Used:Arai, Mavic X223disc
Bike Setup:MTB touring and XC
Bottom Line:These rims have stayed true for me over 6 years of xc and touring use. I wonder if there is a difference between the X138 and X139. Mine are X138 with 36 spokes and eyelets, can't understand anyone getting cracks around the spokes. I dont ride freeride stuff and for the past 3 yrs have mainly used them for expedition touring, but this includes carrying 30kgs of gear on mountain firetrail descents. Iam only a fly weight but have ridden these rims over rough stuff at speed with no ill effects. No spoke failures, rims have stayed true (well the rear has a little wobble), not too bad after 6 years of zero service and about 12000-15000 kilometres. I would buy these again happily for XC riding
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Sean a Weekend Warrior from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2004
Favorite Trail:the luge
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $1.00
Purchased At:Rock and Road
Strengths:So far, they take what ever I throw at them.
Weaknesses:No bragging rights about cool wheels.
Similar Products Used:none
Bike Setup:2003 Specialized Enduro with Marzocchi Drop off comps. The wheels have a Stout front hub with a Deore rear.
Bottom Line:This is for the 139's that came stock on my bike. I've been riding them for awhile now and I can't complain for coming stock on my bike. I weigh 225lbs and ride a few times a week and as of yet, they are still true and rolling along. I don't avoid drops and gaps but I don't seek out crazy stuff either and these have earned their keep. Of course, I'm going to upgrade them when they fail me but until then, why spend the money.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Jeremy a Cross Country Rider from CA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:Foresthill Divide
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $100.00
Strengths:Hmmmm...None
Weaknesses:These things tacoed going into an easy XC corner
Bike Setup:Kona Dawg
Bottom Line:I was going down a beginer XC trail and went into a corner and the wheel tacoed throwing me over the bars. I weigh 200lbs and am a decent rider. This scares me as I wasn't doing anything abnormal and they just bent in HALF! I will just get heavy string rims this time so I don't have to worry about dying on a ride.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Chad E a Racer from St.Catharines Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:Short Hills Niagara
Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:Rapid City Cycle (most awesome bike shop)
Strengths:-Wicked fast
-Wicked light
-Wicked stlye
Weaknesses:Not as INDESTRUABLE as every rider would like. We all want the lightest Indestructable Rim. you lose Strenght with weight... Its a given. so don't huck yourself on rims that arn't ment for It... tune your bike accordingly I would take a 100$ bike down a heavy shore line trail and drop It 7-10 feet, hey how did I bend my rims?
Similar Products Used:Rhyno Lite XL Rocky Mountain Wheel Tech.
Bike Setup:Norco Torrent/Mavic 139/Disc /Z5 Bombers / Shimano XL Drive Train
Bottom Line:Not only was I so overwhelmed by the difference the x139 had on my Rhyno lite XL both done by RockyMountain Wheel Tech. It Increase my response incredably. Acceleration was very noticable. If yah wanna pick up speed and not lose too much Strength these wheel sets rock... PROPS to rocky mountain.... "REVEIWS THAT ARE REAL"
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Fred not dead a Cross Country Rider from around
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $8.00
Strengths:Price, cool blue ano to match LX hubs
Weaknesses:Mavic low end rims
no welding/machining
Similar Products Used:Mavic 517, 221; bunch of Suns, Weinnmans/Rigidas, Bontragers
Bike Setup:steel hardtail beater with LX/x138 rims
Bottom Line:x138 are the basic Mavic XC rims, the lowest in Mavic food chain. As they are they are not welded just pinned; sides are not machined. Profile wise they're very similar to 221 (save CNC and welding) with 2 round loops on sides, made out of same Al 6106 alloy and after break-in perform similar.

For high end rims like 517 Mavic uses Maxtal alloy said to be 30% stronger then 6106. Still 221 and 138 should be about as strong thanks to triple cavities. Life expectancy is lower, but who cares if you can get 6 rims for price of one 517?

Some of the comments below are just plain ridiculous. Taco? easy to bend? break spokes? my ass.. YOU just got bad wheel build, period. I've build a set and after 3mo of abuse on hardtail (several rocky pinch flats) the most truing rear needed was 1/8 of the turn.

Notes about metal shavings are true. Mavic rim profiling/anodizing leaves microfractures on surface and since sides were not machined you may get it esp with cheap brake pads. Watch out for it on new rims and clean pads if need.

On new rims I'd also recommend to file seams to save brake pad wear.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Gordon Lo a Weekend Warrior from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:Kelso snakes and ladders
Duration Product Used:6 months
Purchased At:Cyclepath (came with the bike)
Strengths:Light and fast.
Weaknesses:The rims hit my brakes on some rocky sections making a pinging noise.
Similar Products Used:no-named brand garbage, some other Alex rims.
Bike Setup:Stock 2002 Rockhopper A1FS with M515 pedals.
Bottom Line:The rims are great, fast and light. The only complaint i have is that even with a new hub and properly tensioned spokes it still hits my brakes and pings. Aside from that try to avoid soft brake pads, they wear like crazy with these rims.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Olivier a Weekend Warrior from Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:cove bike shop (they rule!)
Strengths:double walls
strong for me
Weaknesses:none so far
(well can't use shrader with those without dremeling)
Similar Products Used:other mavics
Bike Setup:stock for now
Bottom Line:Well, I am starting to wonder if we are talking about the same product here: those are x139. I am pretty heavy (200+), use them everyday commuting, hit curbs, and on the week ends I go on those fantastic trails here in Vancouver (ouhou North Shore!). Never had any problem with those. Considering buying a new set to mount my slicks on, I'm tired of changing the rubbers every week end.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by CityCommuter a Cross Country Rider from Fort Lauderdale
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $100.00
Purchased At:Plaine's Cycle, New York
Strengths:Inexpensive, straight.
Weaknesses:Cheap. Major cracking around spoke nipples.
Similar Products Used:Various other Mavic rims.
Bike Setup:Old Spec. Rockhopper with drop bars, lights, fenders, racks, 1.25" slicks - commuter bike.
Bottom Line:I purchased the Mavic x138 wheelset for road riding and used it for a bit over a year. While retensioning the rear wheel I noticed large cracks and bulges around two of the nipples. There have been no major single stresses I'm aware of. I use this wheelset exclusively on the road, and expected to wear through the sidewalls before having any other sort of problem with it. I am still riding on it, and so far so good - there are two drive-side spokes that are a little loose now, but I'll just ride it until it's really shot.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Fermat a Weekend Warrior from Calgary
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:Mountain Bike City
Strengths:matches the yellow and black paint of my bike
Weaknesses:ONE LOUSY ROCK AND PIIIIIINNNNGGG!!!
Bike Setup:stock rims on 2002 Cannondale Jekyll 500
Bottom Line:the X139's came stock with the 2002 Jekyll 500 setup. I've been riding some fairly easy XC trails for the past month and ran into about a 100 foot long downhill sloping double track section with your average rooty/lumpy trail consistency. Halfway down, I blew my line and struck a smooth faced rock which cranked my wheel over about 60 degrees to the left (which also launched me over the handlebars as well). The front rim folded like a soft taco and has the curve of a sombrero.

Normally i'd expect more out of mountain biking gear.

I'm 165 lbs, I don't ride insane downhill (in fact, i'm freakin' scared of doing anything with a steep pitch), and I don't drive my front wheel into crap like curbs and rocks.

I'd expect that a rim should be able to stand up to the occasional root or rock that juts out on the trail - well, this one doesn't.

My advice, upgrade your rims before your stuck walking your bike back to the car.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Jeff a Cross Country Rider from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:any where in sedona
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Held up like a champ in sedona. Even big steps and drop offs on the down hills.
Weaknesses:came with cheap deore hubs other than that works just fine. I dont know what some of you guys or girls do but i am a heavy rider and i have taken these wheels to hell and back.
Similar Products Used:Mavic X221
Bike Setup:Rocky Mountain Hammer
Bottom Line:The Wheel works. Held up to what i have thrown at it. And i usually ride trails where dual suspension would be nice. Although there is much better rims out there so you decide.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by a from
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:none that I found
Weaknesses:you can put them on a bike
Bike Setup:fire mountain
Bottom Line:I ve just bought a bike with x139 on it ,and boy
they manage whole two weeks (at least the front one) rear
bend in somewhat "L" like shape after sunday xc ride.
If you like to woble ,and drive with out rear brakes than
theese are just for you.Oh they also look great so woble isnt a problem realy when I put a chick on my rear pack on top of that black x139 wheel so she could woble on ....but
the bottom line is - chiks like dicks - not wheels DONT BUY IT
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Kwik- Z a Cross Country Rider from Severna Park MD
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:patapsco
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:lbs, stock on bike
Strengths:relatively strong, dont bend too often cheap
Weaknesses:some bending, but once they are trued from the first dings and bumps, they seem to stay straight.
Similar Products Used:yo momma
Bike Setup:kona fire mountain, marzocchi Z4 air, XT derailleurs
Bottom Line:only an ultra-moron could possibly think this rim would stand up to 10 foot drops. its good for XC, even aggressive XC and wont bend even when i think it should be tacoed. sometimes i will have a horrible crash, blazing down a hill at 30mph or so with lots of rocks, i get up and look at it, and its fine even though i expect the rims to be semicircular or something.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by David Carter a Cross Country Rider from UK
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Strengths:Weight, Reliability
Weaknesses:Maybe strength issues would concern some riders but for their intended purpouse they are just fine.
Similar Products Used:Alex
Bike Setup:Scott Vail 98, Indy S, Panaracer SS, USE XCR
Bottom Line:Great Rims for light stuff, Mine have done over 5000 miles hard riding and show no signs of damage.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by John a Cross Country Rider from DC
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $1.00
Purchased At:Bothell Bikes
Strengths:Cheap
Sturdy
Weaknesses:Weight
Bike Setup:99 FSR, Specialized hubs
Bottom Line:These came stock on my FSR, and I planned on upgrading them from the start. Now, a year and 1800 miles later, they are still going strong. I'm not dropping off ledges or jumping big, but I do ride aggressively. I've had to true them a few times, but nothing major. They do weigh a ton, but just think of it as better training.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mark a Weekend Warrior from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:NONE
Weaknesses:Too much flex for jumping, trail riding, or any other type of riding. Bends like it's made of rubber and the spokes can't stay tight on the rim.
Similar Products Used:Alex
Bike Setup:2000 Kona Caldera Deore/XT setup
Bottom Line:These rims suck!! If you jump, these rims will probably end up slamming into your brake pad before the end of your first day. I've only had them less than two months and the front and rear rims are bent in at least two places. They are good for little more than street riding.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by zach brin a Cross Country Rider from pipe creek. tx. usa
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:flat rock creek
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:uhm, i couldn't find any
Weaknesses:weeker than a newborn
Similar Products Used:mavic x221
Bottom Line:i hate these rims, i'm 14 and i weigh 120 pounds, i was riding and did a small drop going about 25 and these stupid crappy rims folded on landing. i flew over the handlebars and was unable to walk for several weeks, these rims should not be used unless you just want to ride around without doing anything.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Alex Richman a Weekend Warrior from Norman, OK, USA
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:ClearBay
Duration Product Used:3 months
Purchased At:supergo.com
Strengths:* stays true
* works well
Weaknesses:* a little heavy, but nothing serious for me!
Similar Products Used:Weinmann ZAC19s
Bike Setup:99' Voodoo Hoodoo
Bottom Line:This wheel stays true once you true it. I have had no flat spots, or even bumps. I don't abuse it that much -- but it has lasted a lot longer (and stayed true a lot longer) than the ZAC 19's. Really good rims!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Scotty a Cross Country Rider from Vancouver,BC
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000
Favorite Trail:Urban Assault
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Purchased At:OEM
Strengths:Cheap, light compared to others at this price range
Weaknesses:Weak, flex a LOT, brake pads will rub on a 2.25 tire on these skinny rims.
Similar Products Used:138's, Rhyno Lites
Bike Setup:Kona Lava Dome, Z4,Chain God, Tioga DH2.1
Bottom Line:I destroyed the rear within 6 months. Lots of dents, flat spots and the seam began to seperate. I replaced it with a Rhyno Lite and curbed it(flat spot) in the first weak but its holding together flawlessly. The front is still OK but needs to be replaced by somethig wider and stiffer to fit a 2.3 tire. If your looking for a cheap rim and don,t abuse your bike(jumps, drops, logs & stuff) go for them, but not suited for aggressive riding.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Jon a from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:Indestructible (almost)
Easy truing once destructible
Weaknesses:Weight, I suppose
Similar Products Used:Specialized stock rims, Sun CR17's
Bike Setup:'98 Kona Caldera, Judy T2
Bottom Line:
It took three months of daily abuse to put a flat spot into the rim. It took three beer and a 2x4 to keep it going after that. Semi-regular truing kept it in tune after that.

Retired the back rim this spring, after two years of cross country pounding. The sidewall was going to give way soon. But the front rim won't die. I stopped checking the true six months ago. I guess I'll just have to upgrade the rims (more Mavic!) without breaking it.

It's a stock rim, most of the time. And it's a good rim while it lasts. Then you rebuild your wheels.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Tracee a Weekend Warrior from Douglasville, GA USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:After some major endo's the past couple of days I was sure they would be bent, nope still straight as an arrow.
Weaknesses:Haven't found one yet.
Bike Setup:Kona Blast with Manitou Mangnum
Bottom Line:Good rims, don't let the other reviews scare you off.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by buck wild a Weekend Warrior from nowhere
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:stand up pretty well to abuse
Weaknesses:not for serious riders
Similar Products Used:other mavic's
Bike Setup:99 voodoo hoodoo
Bottom Line:I have beat the hell out of these things and they have held up pretty well. i'm 200 lbs so i'm not a fly weight but not a tank ass either. After 3 months of solid abuse the back rim needs to be trued but I can still ride fine on it. I wouldn't buy them as replacement rims but if they come on a bike you should get atleast a couple seasons out of them.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Leev Traxx a Cross Country Rider from Nashville, TN
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:Land-Between-The-Lakes
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Appear to be a strong enough rim. Has taken some serious punishment so far. Price is great and name is good.
Weaknesses:Need trued after every two trips or so.
Similar Products Used:Mavic and more Mavic
Bike Setup:Modified Mongoose
Bottom Line:If your looking for a cheaper rim that will hold up well. This is the the rim. If your looking for that professional level, better go to something else.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by a Weekend Warrior from Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:Price
Weaknesses:spokes always break, Wheel needs to be trued all the time.
Bottom Line:If your thinking of getting this rim, look harder! The rim will spend more time in the shop with spokes being replaced, and the rim being trued.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Farrell a Weekend Warrior from Menasha, WI
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:zippin down speedy singletrack
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:inexpencive, hold up to nominal abuse
Weaknesses:cheap, can't take serious abuse
Similar Products Used:Zak 19 (cheap as they come)
Bike Setup:99 diamondback x-2, z3 100mm, lx-lx-xt, lx crank, ect.
Bottom Line:I'm only 130lbs. so they held up well, until... flyin down a ski hill at 30-35mph, hit a pointy, coconut-sized rock, ouch, left a rather large dent, went home early.

Value Rating:4Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Marc a Weekend Warrior from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:stay reasonably true
Weaknesses:heavy, bad braking surface
Similar Products Used:Ritchey OCR
Bike Setup:lx/xt GT hardtail
Bottom Line:I've used the front rim with a cheap GT hub for ~2 years, and the rear for 1 year with very little trouble. I should mention that I don't do many jumps and only weigh 150lb, which might explain my good luck with the rims. I've had no problem with the seams.

I think they're fine for entry level riders, when you start ruining them it's time to upgrade your equipment anyway! Don't think of these as quality upgrade items or you'll be disappointed.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by patrick a Racer from calgary, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:sammy's chanter
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:cheap
Weaknesses:worked in a bike shop. trued them virtually every day.
Similar Products Used:???
Bike Setup:lx/xt 99 cindercone
Bottom Line:bend easily. do not use for anything other than xc or road. a dual slalom crash left them as toast a good 3 inches out of true.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Charles Eckel a Cross Country Rider from Santa Clara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:Pine Mountain
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:Inexpensive, remained fairly true
Weaknesses:used for road riding only yet still cracked badly at one of the nipple joints
Similar Products Used:Mavic 238
Bike Setup:Schwinn Moab 1
Bottom Line:I purchased a Mavic x138 wheelset for road riding and used it for less than 2 years. When doing some routine maintenance on the bike I noticed the large crack and bulge around one of the nipples. I'm not even sure when it happened or why. Since I used it only for road riding I expected it to last forever. No more x138's for me. The only good thing I can say about it is at least it didn't blow up on me while I was riding.
Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Warwick a Cross Country Rider from Preston, England
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:Anything fast, with piles of mud
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:Cheap, better quality than any othe rims in this price range
good for suspension bikes,
Weaknesses:Bend real easy. But only on hardtails.
Similar Products Used:Cheap factory rims, mavic x217, and x222
Bike Setup:Marin East Peak, standard suspension system, and a GT Zaskar, custom build. also used on a GT Outpost, GT Tempest and a Marin Indian Fire Trail.
Bottom Line:These rims a pretty good for street riding (not trials) and moderate DH, but anything else without the aid of suspension will bend them beyond repair. No one ever buys these rims twice.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Col a Weekend Warrior from Scotland
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:Beecraigs
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Cheap but lasting lonhger than other rims that i have used
Weaknesses:none so far
Similar Products Used:MAVIC 217 ( Lasted 4 months ), Ritchey roc ocr
Bike Setup:Specialized Rockhopper comp, Manitou, XT
Bottom Line:Lasting longer than the other rims used, Go out of true occasionaly . I ride mainly cross - country on singletrack over varied terrain including some hard hits from tree roots, and rocks.
My riding style is commited and I am heavy, so if I cant bend them they must be OK. I build my own and lace them up tightly so that possiblty helps.
4 chillis only because I havent tried anything more expensive yet.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Kevin a Please Select from Saratoga, NY
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Round, hold up ok
Weaknesses:Kinda heavy
Bottom Line:They hold up ok riding cross-country. I have to true them every couple of rides, but that takes about 15 minutes. They have yet to be dented beyond repair. I picked up the wheelset (w/LX hubs) for $100. Those of you who expected these rims to hold up to downhilling are morons.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Sgold a Weekend Warrior from York, PA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
None
Price(but you get what you pay for)
Weaknesses:
Prone to bending beyond repair
Bike Setup:
GT I Drive
Bottom Line:If these come stock on your bike they may last for awhile, however, you will soon see that these rims are junk.
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Levi a Downhiller from Nanaimo B.C
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Oakridge [all of them]
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
stay strong for a bit.
Weaknesses:
bends pretty easily.
Similar Products Used:
none!
Bike Setup:
bikeKona Cindercone
shockZ5 marzocchi fly light air.
Bottom Line:TO WEAK FOR ALMOST ANYTHING BUT XC!!!
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Marc Tremain (J DOGG) a Cross-Country Rider from Stillwater, New Jersey
Date Reviewed: November 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Bikeshow Trails
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
narrow, looks good
Weaknesses:
BENDS
DENTS
TACOES
SHEDS
did i mention dents and tacoes?
Similar Products Used:
Arya 1.75
Weinman 517's
Bike Setup:
1999 GT saddleback
Manitou SX-LE
XTR rapid rise rear derauiler (nice!)
WTB Velociraptors kevlar
Avid Arch Rival 40 brakes
it will get better soon
Bottom Line:P.O.S. This rim sucks. I have it tacoed so bad its always making my tire rub on the chainstay or my derauiler cable. Also it assisted in the destruction of one of my Velociraptor KEVLARS!
This rim got its first dent the first week i was riding! Its a piece! Im thinking of saving the LX hubs that came on it and getting CR-18's Mavic X-138 Just basically sucks so dont buy it at all unless its the only other possible option.It only deserves 1 flaming poo
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Lari a Weekend Warrior from Helsinki (Finland)
Date Reviewed: November 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tullivuorentie DH Center
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light weight,resonably strong
Similar Products Used:
Several Mavics, Araya
Bike Setup:
Marin Rock Springs F/S, Disk Brakes
Bottom Line:Use disk brakes and small dings and wobbles won´t matter.
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Jim a Weekend Warrior from Fort Collins
Date Reviewed: October 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
slick rock
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
These rims bend very easily.
Similar Products Used:
Sun Ryno Lites
Matrix
Bike Setup:
New 99 FSR Enduro
Bottom Line:These rims are terrible. The rear one bent on the
first ride. I replaced them Sun Ryno Lites. I can't believe Specialized would spec. out a full
suspension bike with such junk.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Bal a Racer from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Delta Watershed
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very strong rim, hasn't bent yet
Weaknesses:
none, man these rims are super strong
Similar Products Used:
weinmanns and zac19's
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Piranha
Bottom Line:These are decent rims and should be considered when picking up a new bike, heck Devinci puts them on their bikes!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Danny Scott a Weekend Warrior from Sidney
Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Hartland dump
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
none at all
Weaknesses:
-pieces of small metal chipping of the rim and into the brake pads
-bend easy
-suck in wet conditions
Similar Products Used:
orange no.5
sun rims cr-18
Bike Setup:
Kona fire mountain
rst 381r
Bottom Line:these rims suck a lot
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by patrick a Cross-Country Rider from calgary, alberta
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
canmore nordic center
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap
Weaknesses:
bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend bend
Similar Products Used:
other cheap rims other cheap rims other cheap rims other cheap rims other cheap rims other cheap rims other cheap rims other cheap rims other cheap rims
Bike Setup:
cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes cheap spokes
Bottom Line:cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap cheap crap one chili!!!
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Luis Leon a Cross-Country Rider from Stone Ridge, NY
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
any I can find the time to ride.
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 217
Bike Setup:
Klein, Pulse Comp
Judy XC
Bottom Line:These came laced to a set of LX hubs. I bought them as a second set of wheels for my Klein. Am running Avocet K's 1.25 tires on them. Will be mostly using them for rough road riding and hard pack trails. My original set of wheels will be just for off-road riding... I will post again after using them for awhile. What attracted me to the wheelset was the price... I just got tired of switching the tires all the time... Now its 5 minutes, presto changO...RegardsLuisP.S. Can't really rate em' just yet... But I can't get off this page without rating, so I give them a three chillie rating for now... It could go up or down... time will tell
Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Nate a Weekend Warrior from Vic
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
better than wiemiemens 519
Weaknesses:
-dont stay true
-seam has formed a ridge
-nics and pits easy
Similar Products Used:
-some old steel ones
-wiemmeens
Bike Setup:
-kona blast
-rst gamma EL (crap)
Bottom Line:these suck for me but they would probly be a good enty level wheel for some.
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Ernie a Cross-Country Rider from Anchorage, Alaska
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Resurrection Pass
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Weaknesses:
These rims are not faced at the factory, unlike the Mavic 2xx on my wife's Mrazek
Similar Products Used:
Some really old rims on a '91 GT Talera - Heavy, but they never bent, untrued, or shredded
Bike Setup:
KHS Team Soft Tail, LX, Marzocchi Z2 Alloy
Bottom Line:1. The weld is crappy as all get out - I had the LBS grind it down, but it still thumps as it passes the brake pad when braking.
2. I've got the same problem with scoring described below.Poor quality on this set. Check them closely or make sure you can return them. I'll be talking to the LBS about a replacement/upgrade set tomorrow.
Overall Rating:1

Submitted by LLOYD a Weekend Warrior from TORONTO ON. CA.
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
CITY STREETS AND URBAN TRAILS
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
CATCHY NAME AND A REAL NICE STICKER.
Weaknesses:
I DON'T RIDE ON ROUGH TERRAIN BY ANY STRETCH, BUT MY REAR RIM IS NOW GOT A LITTLE TWIST TO IT. THE PAD THAT CAME WHITH THE BIKE HAD A SMALL NUB OF RUBBER THAT HAS NOW SCORRED THE HELL OF MY BENT RIM. SPECIALIZED WINED AND GAVE ME THE BUSINESS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, DON,T EXPECT ANY HELP FROM THOSE FUCKS.
Similar Products Used:
MY OLD RIMS WERE ARAYA. NOT SURE OF THE EXACT STYLE.
Bike Setup:
SPEC. FSR
Bottom Line:TRADE THEM IN IF YOUR NEW BIKE HAS THEM AND REPLACE WHITH BETTER EQUIPMENT
Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Andy a Cross-Country Rider from Paris
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Have taken a reasonable amount of abuse so far and stayed true
Weaknesses:
this is the weird bit. On a long descent I noticed a strange noise from the rims, stopped and checked the pad, as I thought they had moved out of alignment, that's how it sounded. When I looked closely there were a couple of small shavings of metal embedded in the pad. I took them out, and then a few km's later the same thing happened on the other side of the rim (the rear). On a later ride, the same thing happened on the front.
Similar Products Used:
Lots of stuff, I've been riding a long time; Mavic 517 sup's (the best so far), rigida, some kona and trek stock rims (made by whoever), never really had any serious problems.
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR, came as stock
Bottom Line:Erm, I'm happy with the solidness in terms of staying round etc, but the shavings thing is really strange, I'm kind of waiting to see what happens, and listening carefully to my brakes...
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Ryan a Weekend Warrior from NY
Date Reviewed: June 28, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
everything
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Weinmann zac 19s and 519s
Bike Setup:
98 GT Tequesta RS indy c
Bottom Line:Came stock on my bike and have held up pretty well. Can't ask for much more.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Chuck a Weekend Warrior from Phila, PA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
wildlife preserve
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
pretty tough so far
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
none, came stock on my bike
Bike Setup:
Stock 99 Kona Cinder Cone
Bottom Line:Really want to hear some opionions about these rims. I'm giving them 5 stars cause I didn't break them yet :)
Overall Rating:5






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