Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Taiwan (residing) Date Reviewed: June 7, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Popularity - lots of people have them They look cool They're light, I think
Weaknesses:
tire mounting difficult
Similar Products Used:
non-tubeless rims
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance
Bottom Line:
I've had trouble getting tires onto these. My last two sets of tires fit very tightly. The trick is to slip them into the center groove of the rim which is a smaller diameter than the outer part, then to overinflate them to get the beads to 'pop' out and into their seated positions. I inflated and deflated my Specialized tires 3 or 4 times to get them seated correctly, inflating the tires, which are only rated to 50 psi, to up over 70 psi. The first few times, portions of the tire's bead remained in the center groove, causing the tires to be untrue. This was using tubes. Perhaps this is not a problem with no tube, but a repair out on the trail requiring a tube I think would be a hassle using a little hand pump.
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Submitted by
Ev
a
from Edm, AB, Can Date Reviewed: April 8, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
light, cheap, solid, strong
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
This is the next best tire if you can't afford crossmax ust disc. THey are solid great tires. They work awesome.
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Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio Date Reviewed: December 19, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Vultures knob
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
UST, no leaks, stiff and stable.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
sun xc, singletrack
Bike Setup:
Titus switchblade, RF next cranks, Marz forks, Mavic 3.1rims on Sh XT hubs, RF stem, Thomson seatpost, candy pedals, WTB saddle, Cane creek headset, Hutch spyder ust tires, Avid discs, Rogue lock on grips and some other stuff.
Bottom Line:
My first UST rims. Hutchinson spyder tires were easy to mount. I filled the tires up with a portable hand pump with ease. I don't notice any leaks so far. I bought the rims attached to shimano XT hubs with 24 spoke pattern and have had no problems. The wheel feels pretty stiff. I do mostly cross country with small jumps. I would buy them again.
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol, CT USA Date Reviewed: November 13, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Never had any problems
Weaknesses:
None in iver a year of riding
Similar Products Used:
Several wheelsets, can't compare because I never had any trouble with them either.
Bottom Line:
Since I swtitched to UST with this weelset, I have nothing but praise for the hweel. They are built up with Chris King ISO disc hubs, and DT spokes. 32 hole Mavic X3.1 rims front and rear. For the amount of times I have hit tress , logs, ledges, and the minor jumping and some wild crashed I've had, they have held up great. Minor truing twice a year, but nothing serious.
If there had been a light version back then I would have done that, but durability is number one thing I want from my bike.
I run STAN's in the tires, just for the punctures I maght get, no problems with leaking.
They were expensive because of the King hubs ($680) but so far worth it. They have been on 2 frames now. I won't replace them until they break.
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Submitted by
Chris
a
from Texas Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
hammerheadbikes.com
Strengths:
Strong set of wheels.
Similar Products Used:
I was sold on the UST design but there was too much flex in the CrossRock hubs.
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 Spot
Bottom Line:
Built with a set of King hubs for a strong and light (for UST) wheelset. I had a slow leak from around the valve stem that was cured with 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive, purchased at Napa Auto Parts for $4. No need for Stan's now.
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Submitted by
Tim XCRider
a Racer
from Chester Date Reviewed: April 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
betws-y-coed at night
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$169.00
Purchased At:
The edge
Strengths:
Strong Light UST
Weaknesses:
needs special tool to insert spoke beds
Similar Products Used:
Mavix X517/XTR Rolf Dolomite
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Scalpel with Xtr Group
Bottom Line:
Although I have the 32 hole versions these are the strongest rims I have owned. They have put up with all manner of abuse on race courses and trails and hav stayed true till I had a flat and hit a rock. Definately a worthwhile purchase but It's Cross MAx next for me
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Submitted by
Jason D
a Downhiller
from Seatle, WA. USA Date Reviewed: October 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Whistler
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Incredibly strong and true, very lightweight, love these rims for crosscountry and the city.
Weaknesses:
Nipple brace stripped out when I was tightening them, probably my bad though. A bit** to get worked on because 2 years ago ust was brand new, took 3 weeks for mavic to send local bike shop brace key. After that never once had to touch the wheels, still in great shape.
Bike Setup:
K2 disco monkey, full xtr, 02 jr-t, mavic d321's, fox vanilla rc, whatever.
Bottom Line:
I love these wheels because they're so light and always have stayed true, have used d321's for a while now but can definitely tell the difference in weight because they're huge. If you want one of the best XC wheelsets on the market, buy these, the factory mavic disc hubs that came with the rims are still in great shape too. Cheers to mavic for a great product.
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Submitted by
life speed
a Cross Country Rider
from santa rosa, ca USA Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Rohnert Park, CA
Strengths:
Uses standard hubs and spokes, non-proprietary.
Weaknesses:
Had to buy from the frogs (French), one more special bike tool required
Similar Products Used:
haven't used tubeless before
Bike Setup:
Cannondale hardtail, air head shock.
Bottom Line:
Tire was easy to mount (WTB Weirwolf 2.1), holds air well. Only had to adjust 14g/15g spokes once after the first ride, surely due to the wheelbuilder (myself, 1st time) not the rim. Use loctite on the nipple inserts when building.
I haven't hit any really big rocks yet, so I don't know about strength. I suspect it is fine for my 190 lbs.
Tubeless benefits are nice, tire is more supple and traction is better. I'm at 40 psi in the rear tire, and could probably go lower.
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Submitted by
Ben ROOG
a Downhiller
from BC Date Reviewed: April 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
ALINE
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Kamikaze
Strengths:
Super cool, strong, peaty uses them , lighter than deemax, you can run tubes or tubeless!
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strong rim, Stays true, Minimal to no leak down
Weaknesses:
If I have to pick something, maybe weight over Non tube wheels.
Similar Products Used:
Misc Bontrager Rims
Bike Setup:
Full XT/Raceface. Rolf front disc hub/X3.01 rim, Rr XT disc hub/X3.1 rim mated to Michelin UST XLS tires
Bottom Line:
These rims are great. The rear wheel has had no leakdown, while the front has had minimal. These are my first UST/Disc wheels I have run and I'm sold. The ability to run lower air pressure has definitely improved my climbing ability. The wheels are stout, and have taken what every I've thrown them at with little flex and I haven't had to true them since they were built.
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Submitted by
adamant
a
from denver, co Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
***
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Easy to build your own custom UST wheels Cheap to replace a rim if you break a wheel UST tires and tube/tires mount easy Strong like other Mavic rims
Weaknesses:
Weight of spoke ends holder not shown in product weight... probably adds 2 ounces per wheel.
Similar Products Used:
no other do-it-yourself UST rims many other rims
Bottom Line:
Great do-it-yourself UST wheels. Why spend $600+ for a pair of Mavic CrossMax pre-built wheels(check Crossmax reviews for some negative comments on the hub durability), when you can use good hubs, spokes to suit your weight, and build the wheels yourself. This setup allows a "free ride" person to use UST when they want, and still have the ability to cheaply rebuild a wheel, if/when needed.
Compared to pre-built wheels, building your own has many advantages. If you break a rim on a road trip, a bike shop can rebuild with any rim in stock. Not the case with a pre-built wheelset. I saved $$$ using these rims with XTR hubs, and the weight is the same as the 2003 CrossMax XL.
It took me 32 seconds to install Kenda Kharasma tires on these rims (with a little soap & water on the tire bead). No hassle at all. I have also run tubes & tires on these wheels-- again, no hassles.
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Submitted by
Matt Rems
a Cross Country Rider
from Willow Grove, PA,USA Date Reviewed: January 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
These are great rims. I have them paired with Shimano XTR disc hubs.
Weaknesses:
Leaks very little air, not noticable
Similar Products Used:
Nothing
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 80
Bottom Line:
These are the best wheels i have ever had or seen.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Edward Baguer
a Cross Country Rider
from N. Newark, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Webcyclery
Strengths:
Let's you have the benefits of UST and hubs of your own choosing.
Weaknesses:
sharp valve hole not kind to tubes if you do flat your UST tire.
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Toccoa
Bottom Line:
I like these rims married to Chris King Iso hubs. The only problem I have is when you do get a UST flat. You have to use a regular tube because you aren't supposed to try and patch them. The valve hole cuts into the area where the valve stem meets the rest of the tube.
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Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from West Yorkshire, England Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any off road
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
Wiggle.co.uk
Strengths:
Look the dogs danglies. Make for one solid wheel.
Weaknesses:
Valve snapped off on day 2 (using mini-pump). The special eyelet tool (not supplied with the rims) which is required to build the wheels (oh and Mavic also recommend spoke-lock/freeze to secure the eyelet screws).
Similar Products Used:
First tubeless wheels.
Bike Setup:
MARIN Alpine Trail, with Mavic UST 3.1 Rims mounted on Hope Bulbs, brakes are Magura Julies.
Bottom Line:
These rims make for a fantastic looking disc only wheelset when built onto some black hubs with black spokes. The wheels are quite light and feel totally solid. I have been running these wheels with Conti-Explorer Pro UST tires with some anti-puncture gunge and have had no problems with leakage so far (the gunge also makes a good replacement for soapy water whilst seating the tire). The valves need to be stronger as it seems I am not the only one to break one whilst inflating with a mini-pump.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clarence
a Cross Country Rider
from Platteville,Wisconsin Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Santos in Ocala,Florida
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat.com
Strengths:
Very strong,good looks,builds up very nice.
Weaknesses:
checking the PSI's every day, but that's the only weakness.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic x223,Mavic D521,X-Lite phatso and I still use the Pahtso's just for a change
Bike Setup:
Cannondale F800,Lefty headshok,Coda lefty front hub ,Chris King iso Disc rear hub,DT Swiss Champion spokes,Hutchinson Python UST tire on front rim and Kenda Kharisma UST on rear rim.
Bottom Line:
Mavic UST RIMS are DA BOMB ! Great all around rim for training and riding the rough stuff. They seem kinda heavy, but that is one of the very few downfalls of UST. So far they seem to stay true no matter what kind of hell I dish out.They work best with Kenda Kharisma UST Tires. The Kenda's have excellent edging knobs for traction and improved cornering.I love to ride over rocks, ride in rivers. The traction with UST has been much better than any tubed rims I have used.
Buy them and you will see why everyone talks about tubeless!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nelson
a
from Northern, New Jersey Date Reviewed: April 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
yellow trail, ringwood
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
you can build them up with any hubs you want. i had my built with king iso hubs, 14/15 spokes and brass nipples (thanks jenson), resulting in a very strong wheelset. so far not one complaint. well, maybe just one. the ust system leaks air very quickly.
Weaknesses:
leaks air a bit.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
'01 truth, xtr, marzocchi z1, hope mini's, king disc hubs
Bottom Line:
i wanted an alternative to what was offered as complete wheelsets and this is what i came up with. most people around here don't even know that this rim is even available! i would recommend to anyone. if you're interested in trying tubeless give them a try. you won't regret it. best thing is that i had them built for less than what cross max ust go for and i got the super nice king iso hubs!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scot
a
from Westchester NY Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Canaan, West Virginia
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Durability
Weaknesses:
Rotational Weight
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
IBIS Silk Ti W/SID SL & XTR/Hope Mini's
Bottom Line:
Built the wheelset up with the aforementioned hoops and Hugi 240 Disc Hubs and 14G DB Spokes. To start the MAVIC 3.1 is actually 510 grams vs listed 450 grams. The company fails to note the additional hardwear included in order to mount up the spoke nipples. Overall excellent rim but looking back should have built conventional Mavic 317 hoops and used the NoTUBES.COM set up. Lower overall rotaional weight with no sacrafice to the integrity to UST setup. I also used Stans Sealant from NOTUBES to seal and protect the tire as well.
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Submitted by
Jason Schiltz
a Racer
from West Chester Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Shirks Bike Shop
Strengths:
light weight, stiff
Weaknesses:
the amount of waiting to get a pair
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
Indy Fab. Deluxe with Hope Mini Disc's, Hugi 240 Disc hubs, and xtr/xt components, 2002 Sid Sl.
Bottom Line:
Well, I have ridden on these rims a couple of times now, and I feel that they are a excellent match of both strength, weight, and versatility. You have your choice of hubs, you don't have to worry about buying hard to find spokes, and you still get all the benefits of tubeless. This is my first tubeless wheelset, but compared to other wheels that I have ridden the setup that I have now is the best. They are stiff, strong, and light
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from provo, utah Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
universal cycles
Strengths:
Strong, stay true, tubeless, fairly light, and you can build them up with any hub you like.
Weaknesses:
you need a special spline tool for the nipples. If you don't order it you can't put the wheel together.
Similar Products Used:
mavic 217, 317, 517's, crappy Bontrager's, etc.
Bike Setup:
Fuel 100, Marathon fork, king, thomson, hutchinson rubber, xtr, and marta disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
I am a big guy at 210. While I don't ride drop-offs or freeride, I do ride 3+ times a week in local Utah cross country spots. It has been hard for me to find a wheel setup that didn't flex like a noodle in the corners, but here it is. I had this built up with Hugi 240 disc hubs and straight gauge spokes and I havn't felt any flex at all. Tubeless have proven themselves countless times, even in the short time I have owned them, as my buddies have had to fix countless flats while I have yet to have any kind of problems with my tubeless. If you are interested in building up an excellent and custom tubeless disc wheelset than this is for you! Just make sure that you or your wheel builder has the special spline tool for the wheel nipples. I will update you all in a few months on how these rims are longevity wise. Happy trails!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cole
a Racer
from easley Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
poplar tent
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Bike Source of Charlote
Strengths:
Very strong and durable, while still light enough to race on
Weaknesses:
valve broke
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
2002 cannondale F2000 , hugi 240 disc rear and lefty front
Bottom Line:
I'm posting again because of all the emails I get from people, I don't mind but I thought I'd come back and give a little more details as I've now had the rim for 6 months. It has stayed very true, Yes I think that it is worth the money, and yes I think it is better than traditional setups. The only problem I've had is once on a ride and I got a stick caught in the rear wheel and I didn't stop to get it out thinking it would break and I would be on my mary way. But the stick snapped the valve in halve. So I walked the last 3 miles of the trail. Still I like them. Shoot me and email if you have any more questions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cole
a Racer
from easley Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
catawba
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
bike source of charolete
Strengths:
it's the first ust rim to be used with a lefty hub
Weaknesses:
a bit tricky to get used to taking the tire off, but thats probaly true with any new ust rim
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
2002 cannondale F2000, with hayes, xtr\xt, lefty elo
Bottom Line:
This is a very nice rim which i would recomend to any one that wants a non mavic, bontrager, or any of the other set hubs used for ust wheel sets
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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