Submitted by
Bobert
a Weekend Warrior
from Themtharhills VIC. Australia Date Reviewed: October 21, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Ivanhoe Cycles
Strengths:
Nice and Light
Weaknesses:
I have had two sets of different tyres beads fold out during cornering, pressures of 45psi and above, instant over the handlebars action!
Similar Products Used:
Lots, not one for names, 20 years of MTBing
Bike Setup:
Giant Trance X2
Bottom Line:
These rims came STD on my Trance X2, a bike which is a light all mountain bike, with 5 inches of travel. So surely you would think the rims supplied as stock would be capable of coping with terrain associated with this type of bike. My experience is that the diameter of the rim is too small as the beads on tyres are not imbedded enough in the rim to stay in during hard cornering. I have had the bead pop out of the rear wheel with a tyre pressure of 45psi and the front wheel at the same pressure, I have tried higher pressures up to 60psi and while this stops the tyre from popping out and off completely it still rolls, jams in your fork or stay just for a second and bang instant lockup of front or back wheel. Nasty.
Flexi, badly made rims, STAY AWAY.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
srush
a Cross Country Rider
from Newnan,ga,usa Date Reviewed: September 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
tsali
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
They look nice and I liked them until they failed.
Weaknesses:
cheap. weak,in my opinion. If you look closely,they are not welded,only pinned. Is this to save a buck?
Similar Products Used:
other mavic rims and never had a problem in 10 years of riding
Bike Setup:
specialized Stumpjumper fsr
Bottom Line:
My experience is that the rim is weak. I am 195 lbs.I don't believe that this is too heavy for a wheel that came stock on a Specialized bike in size XL.The rim failed on my 3rd ride. It was a slight downhill and brakes were lightly applied. The front rim exploded (tacoed).I was taken to the emergency room with a broken collarbone....many bills have followed.If you have had similar experience ....please contact me.tsrush@charter.net
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LouisB
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area, CA Date Reviewed: August 4, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, Sturdy
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Various Alex rims
Bottom Line:
I picked these up to replace some old Alex rims and converted to disc brakes. The rims are solid, light and have stayed true. I haven't been that abusive but they take it and are still rockin'.
I'm about 230lbs and have taken some small drops without any issues. Any issues about people saying these rims being flimsy with clydesdales probably had a bad build.
Grabbed this set from Jenson for a pretty good price. I think I will be buying more wheelsets from them in the future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
conpoo
a Weekend Warrior
from devizes Date Reviewed: January 13, 2009
Favorite Trail:
salisbury plaini
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
never bend or warp, strong, quite light
Weaknesses:
as long as you donnot use them incorrectly for big drops or jumps they won't break!
Bike Setup:
giant xtc
Bottom Line:
good all round cheap rim, never had to have it trued
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lee penderis
a Racer
from south africa durban Date Reviewed: November 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
giba gorge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
dave wiseman cycles
Strengths:
very ridged rims, fats and fairly light
Weaknesses:
changed the hubs to dt swiss with flat spokes much better
Bottom Line:
very good rims i ride mostly dust road and single track very fast and light also hardy cannot break easly
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AngryDentist
a Cross Country Rider
from Richardson, Tx, USA Date Reviewed: November 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Rowlett creek texas
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
price
Weaknesses:
durability
Bike Setup:
stock 08 epic
Bottom Line:
If your a clydesdale, get a custom set up using more beefy setup. This stock set up is not for us. I have ridden this setup for one weekend and went thru both the front and rear rims on xc. The spoke count isn't enough and the lacing needs to be better for us heavier guys. I would recomend getting a FR or DH rim, dt swiss double abut 2mm, 1.8mm spokes, 36h laced 3x to 4x on good quality hope pro 2 or Chris King hubs. This should be rock solid, will cost ya 400 to 700 but will last and most of all be safe, nothing like having your spokes bust off on the rear from a small 2 ft. drop and nearly bust ya up. I would say it's a great setup for light riders definately not for heavy riders, 220 on up should look for a good custom set up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from South Africa Date Reviewed: June 1, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Good price for what you get. Sturdy. Rolls nicely, Looks good.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
DT swiss 4.1d
Bike Setup:
GIANT ANTHEM
Bottom Line:
Gppd price for what you get. Tough enough. Easy seating of tubeless tires. Get them for XC and trail. Not for jumps and DH!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from South Africa Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Looks good, strong enough, good price. Anodized finish
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy, but then you could always go for the 717
Similar Products Used:
Dt swissXR 1540, Mavic crossland wheelset, WTB
Bike Setup:
Giant Anthem 1 (OEM)
Bottom Line:
Tough enough for most XC purposes. Costs less than the DT Swiss alternatives. I did not have to true it even once. Reccomended!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sven Jacobsen
a Cross Country Rider
from BW, Germany Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
poison-bikes.de
Strengths:
Really good price, strong, reliable and light enough. What else is important?
Weaknesses:
I can´t see anything.
Similar Products Used:
Sun Rims.
Bike Setup:
Hardtail.
Bottom Line:
I have had so much fun with these rims so far, that I feel somehow a strong affection. High demands and since 6 years no problems at all. Of course I thought a few times about other and more sophisticated rims (and therefore more expensive ones), but I haven´t done yet, because there is no need. Look at the price, look at the weight, compare it with other rims and stay at the good old XM 317´s. Perhaps 5 Chilis have been given too often and too easily, but, damn, I´m happy with ´em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sparky
a Weekend Warrior
from northern ireland Date Reviewed: November 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
came oem
Strengths:
reliable, reasonably light
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
mavic 317
Bike Setup:
specialized stumpy fsr 2006 standard except for chain and cassette upgraded to 2007 xt
Bottom Line:
I have pounded these rims non-stop off-road, up and down, jumps, rock gardens, berms, you name it I've ridden it. Ridden anything the bike can take apart from full-on downhill. Passed a few downhill monsters wearing full gear on occasion. These rims have taken anything I've thrown at them for over a year, riding 2-4 times per week. They are still both 100% true despite the usual crashes and falls. I am fairly light, 11.5 stone, maybe that helps, but I've trashed other mavics on the same trails. These are good, reliable, forgettable wheels. What more could you want?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Milan Djukic
a Cross Country Rider
from Skopje, Macedonia Date Reviewed: August 29, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$56.00
Purchased At:
Probike - Skopje
Strengths:
Light, very strong. I have 90kg and i rode 3000km with these rims for one month. I ride the bike on street(uphill), and on rocky therein(downhill). And often i ride the bike on earth for about 100km. The rims are still in good shape
Submitted by
greg lewis
a Racer
from howell, michigan Date Reviewed: August 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Maybary
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Town & country
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
These rims suck I bought an Epic (awesome) and the 317 came on the bike. I ride every day after work about 10 to 15 miles. I get lots of pinch flats with this rim. At this point I bend the rear rim weekly. I am a heavy rider however I have been riding mountain bikes for about 10 years and these are by far the worst rims I have ever ridden. I am saving my money to buy a new set of rims that will last.
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek Rolf’s Mavic cross max. sun's rino
Bike Setup:
06 Epic disks with full XT drive train and Thomson setback seat post
Bottom Line:
If these rims don’t come on your bike don’t buy them save your money and buy something else. If your upgrading your rims DO NOT BUY THIS SET no matter the deal you think your getting you’ll regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zach Rosato
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder,Colorado, USA Date Reviewed: June 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
hall
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
university bicycles
Strengths:
Cheap
Weaknesses:
Im 6'2" and weigh 220 so I probably should have never bought these rims. But they suck. I dropped a 5' rock in Moab and my rim completely tacoed. I had to walk 7 miles out, so bottom line dont ever get these rims unless your a skinny and boring xc rider.
Similar Products Used:
mavic 321
Bike Setup:
Coiler, Marzocchi z1, chris king hubs on mavic 321.
Bottom Line:
DONT BUY THESE IF YOU LIKE AIR TIME.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Troy Williams
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale Date Reviewed: March 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Paradise
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Take a beating and stay true
Weaknesses:
Weight
Similar Products Used:
Salsa Cross, 29r Rims
Bike Setup:
Trance 2, XT components, Hayes 9, Mutano Raptor Tires, slime tubes, Race Face Cranks-bars-seatpost, FSA stem and Headset, DT hubs and skewers
Bottom Line:
Would do it again...great in their "value" line. Love 'em and thus far, zero issues.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Choc Buddah, Daisy Hill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light Look great
Weaknesses:
Flexing and breaking!!!
Bike Setup:
2006 Stumpjumper FRS Comp
Bottom Line:
MAVIC are pathetic when it comes to backing their product!!
These rims came OEM on my stumpjumper. They are only 6 months old and were only used 1 - 2 times a week when the front rim buckled about 4 inches. It then got caught in the forks and pitched me over the bars much to my surprise.
When my LBS contacted MAVIC they didn't give a damn and were very unhelpful, they really didn't want to know about it.
I was told if I wanted another XM317 rim that I would have to buy a pair and that the OEM rim looks different to the factory purchased rim. Forget it.
I will never ride another MAVIC rim, I will support a company that backs their product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ATBScott
a Cross Country Rider
from Castro Valley, CA Date Reviewed: January 17, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Can I have only one?
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
OEM on Spec. Enduro
Strengths:
Very strong for the weight, lightweight, stay true, look good in black when they are clean.
Weaknesses:
Could be a touch wider to run 2.3" + tires, look like sh!t when they are covered in mud (but then that can be a good thing too...)
Similar Products Used:
You name it - Araya, Original Bontrager (rolled-down Mavic MA-40's), Specialized, Sun, lots of Mavic products in approx. 29 years of mountain biking.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro Pro, 2003 mostly stock XTR/XT, DT, Mallet C Pedals, and FENDERS for this wet season we are having.
Bottom Line:
These rims have worked well for me. I am a middle-age rider that likes to ride fast and hard when I am in shape but I do not catch any huge air or ride in a thrashy manner. I learned and rode on rigid bikes for many years, and 5" of travel still has me aiming for the good (smooth) lines, it's just super-comfy when there is not a smooth line! The Mavic XM317 came on my bike and while I did re-tension the wheels after a couple of rides (I am an ex-pro mechanic) they have worked well. Only had to get out the spoke wrench a couple of times in the 31 months I have been on this bike. Recently, I had a spoke nipple (alloy) break, and then a couple of days later broke another spoke, both in the rear. I picked up 32 new spokes/nipples and will rebuild the wheel tonight. The rim appears to still be true and all the ferrules are in good condition, so I think I can get another run out of it. My plans are to build a set of Chris King Hubs with Mavic 819 rims before summer, so that these will be my back-up wheels at that time. For what they are intended, these have been excellent rims.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jo Dirt
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
mt fromme
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Strengths:
Light, disc specific design, surprisingly strong
Weaknesses:
designed for racing and NOT for freeriding or riders in the 190lb+ range
Similar Products Used:
too many to list
Bike Setup:
S-Works Epic w/F100RLT and a bunch of tasty bits
Bottom Line:
There is no doubt that these rims have been getting mixed reviews, but lets be completely honest, it depends entirely on: 1) who built them (a wheel-builder worth his salt, or some hack, or a goddam machine) 2) the lacing and spoke count, and 3)what you weigh/your riding style.
These are LIGHT WEIGHT rims and were never designed for serious thrashing; however, with a competent builder putting together a sensible wheel (ie no radial lacing, etc) this rim is actually a pretty tough little ba$tard!
I weigh 170 and I train 3-4 times a week and ride pretty hard over any terrain I can get my bike to -that includes everything from north shore stuff (no big drops) to 70km/h fire roads and everything in between. I've been riding these front and rear (3-cross, 32 hole) for almost 2 years and they have only needed minimal truing. Even after a severe impact to the front rim, resulting in an ugly dent, the wheel remains true.
I have ridden and ruined the lightweight offerings from ritchey, destroyed a machine assembled set of mavic 117's, mangled a sun 0 deg XC, flattened a mavic 517 and damaged several other rims over 12+ years of riding and racing. With that in mind, I have put the mavic 317 disc through hell and it remains solid.
Remember: it is BY FAR more important to have ANY wheel built by a professional, by hand, and laced up according to its intended use (racing, general XC, disc, etc).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood Date Reviewed: December 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Elk Meadows
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
Light, nice looking rim. Always admired them, was glad to finally get them.
Weaknesses:
Read below
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517 CD Ceramic on XTR non disc 36 hole. Great wheelset. Stolen. Bontrager select tubeless... sucked.
Bike Setup:
I've used this same set of Mavic 317's on XT disc hubs for every different frame I've built up and ridden over the past year and a half (three total).
Bottom Line:
Rode these for about a year and 4 months when I started to hear a wierd sound. Actually I don't remember when I started to hear the sound anymore. I just know when I put the bike on a stand and rolled the wheels slowly, a clicking knocking kind of sound could be heard plain as day. Thought it was the hubs. Started to notice my bike was noisy on the trail as well, thought it was the brake levers bouncing around. Nope. Took the wheels apart, tore off rim tape and after a few minutes of investigation, turns out some little block of aluminum INSIDE the rim where it gets welded together was loose. It's some kind of structural component, shaped exactly like the inside hollow profile... probably meant to hold the ends together before welding or something. Looks like the little piece was supposed to be stamped or crimped in place, but is no longer so. That's why my wheels only made noise at slow speed or over chattery bumps. And yes, BOTH wheels. Don't have the slightest idea why. Makes me angry. This is not a Ford automobile, I shouldn't have to fix or buy a new one every other year. Forget Mavic, I don't know who to trust anymore for a wheelset that will last me a good 4 or 5 years.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joshster
a Cross Country Rider
from oakland, ca Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Hella Cinder in the JMP
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$429.00
Purchased At:
universal
Strengths:
Really light, durable, silver instead of the ubiquitous black
Weaknesses:
narrow, slight discoloration around the nipples; so light, that I'm not getting enough exercise riding this bike!
Similar Products Used:
m223, SubIV
Bike Setup:
better than yours
Bottom Line:
Had these wheels built by Josh @ Universal Cycles as part of a Hadley hub promo; rims were substituted for Mavic 819s, yes, by choice. Ordering wheels from out of state felt like a gamble, but so far there's only a little discoloration around the eyelets; they're holding up fine. Required only the occasional truing. They look absolutely sick in silver with black nips, black DT spokes & black Hadleys. They're light around the edge, so they roll fast. Seem stiff enough too.
Mad props to Josh @ Universal for hooking me up right.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW,Australia Date Reviewed: October 29, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Oaks Fire Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Woolys Wheels
Strengths:
Look Good.
Weaknesses:
Weak Rims, Don't stay true.
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
2004 Specialized StumpJumper Comp HT.
Bottom Line:
Well I'm 6ft3" and weigh in at 216 pounds so these rims probably just weren't suitable for me in the first place. I also think that my wheel build quality was absolutely crap. After riding for about a month on relatively smooth trails (no major drop-offs or jumps)my rims were all over the place. I took my bike to my LBS to have them trued but they were never right.
Eventually gave up on them and used the same hubs (still perfect) to lace up to a pair of Sun Rhyno Lites. These were also built up by a good wheelbuilder. Absolutely no probs since then even though i'm now riding rougher trails.
In summary, i'm not sure if it was the rims that I should be blaming but I am definitely hesitant about buying them again. I think Clydes should definitely look elsewhere. Also will insist in future on making sure that the wheel build quality is up to scratch /get them looked over by a pro wheel builder.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Beer
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: September 23, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
light rim, pretty
Weaknesses:
bad for rear wheel, heavy w/ xt hubs
Similar Products Used:
first set of disc rims
Bike Setup:
avid mech, xt hubs, Jamis lamis, xt/xtr drive, duke xc, some thomson, raceface, king stuff
Bottom Line:
was riding on some good sized rocks in Washington and rear wheel got a major ding (tire pressure?). irreparable flat spot now. front wheel has remained true and round but have had nothing but trouble with the rear. Jenson didn't tension it correctly, always messed up on rotor side. contemplating the mavic 717 for a rebuild with the xt hub until the fundage comes for the king hubs (substantially lighter than the xt ones). good price for intro xc wheels but not strong enough for the rear wheel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ANDREW
a Weekend Warrior
from BATON ROUGE, LA. USA Date Reviewed: September 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
COMITE RIVER AND HOOPER
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
weight, looks, stiffness, durability
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
bontrager
Bike Setup:
stock 2005 Ironhorse Hollowpoint Expert
Bottom Line:
Very light and good looking rims. Not had to true yet. I weigh 245lbs with no problems yet. Had a pinch flat last weekend. Going to go tubeless with Stan's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Petch
a Weekend Warrior
from Warragul, Victoria, Australia Date Reviewed: May 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Lysterfireld Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
EBAY!!! BABY
Strengths:
Nice looking, light and oh so European in style :)
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
517, 217
Bike Setup:
hardtail, Pyslo race 02, trek 4300 frame, hayes hfx XC disks, Xt through out.... blah blah blah... just get a\out and ride!
Bottom Line:
Hey these are Sweet XC rims that look great and roll true. Build them up well and use good DT spokes and high end hubs and your laughing all the way down that rocky single track. Overall they rock.
As for you meat head downhillers.... THESE ARE XC RIMS YOU MONKEYS. So go winge elswhere or sign up in school to learn how to read.... these posts are for a sweet XC rim.
8' drops??? you idiots. *sigh*
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Lompoc Date Reviewed: November 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Siouxon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, strong
Weaknesses:
Uhhh...they can't run UST, and can't run V-brakes
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 221, Araya AR-7
Bike Setup:
Blur, Super-x disk
Bottom Line:
I thought truing rims was just a fact of life. I've gotten pretty good at it over the years. I've only had to make one minor truing on these rims in the year I've owned them, and these are also the lightest rims I've had. I don't exactly baby them either- I've taken them on some VERY rocky rides. What more could you expect from a rim?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch
a
from California Date Reviewed: October 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Weaverville Basin
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light and stay true.
Weaknesses:
Price.
Similar Products Used:
Sun, Mavic.
Bike Setup:
Full suspension XTR disc brakes
Bottom Line:
I ride hard on rocky trails. I weigh 175 pounds. These rims have stayed absolutely true for the one year I've been riding on them. Pretty much says it all. The main thing is having your wheels built by a real pro. Good wheel builders are hard to find. I think that accounts for most of the bad reviews.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris B
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: September 18, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Off Piste, Woodhill, Auckland
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Pack n Pedal, Botany, Auckland, New Zealand
Strengths:
Light! Strong!
Weaknesses:
They arent that cheap, but then again, they are pretty good value considering they only come as OEM on very expensive bikes.
Similar Products Used:
Only used V-brake rims before, using Mavic 517 and 221.
Bike Setup:
Alloy hardtail, running XT/XTR with deore shifters, Z5 forks.
Bottom Line:
I had these rims built up with wheelsmith straight spokes onto some XT disc hubs. Paul at PnP did a great job, and they have been faultless. I have had them retensioned twice, but they didnt need it, it was just me being picky.
I am around 185 lbs at the moment, and have found the wheels to take everything I throw at them. For a rim this light they are very strong.
I will be buying more of these before the last of them disapear from the stores as they are replaced by the 717 or whatever the new rim is called.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada! Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
still looking
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Light. Pretty in black.
Weaknesses:
Not very strong as a rear wheel. Kinda expensive for a wheel that needs spoke tightening every second ride. Don't feel very solid when railing corners. They have a narrow box for fat tires.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 221
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler, 5th Element coil, Fox Vanilla 125R, XT hubs, Wheelsmith butted (or double-butted) spokes, wheels hand-built by Wheelsmith from JensonUSA
Bottom Line:
The front wheel seems fine after a half year of riding aggressive XC over rocky and rooty eastern terrain. But the front wheel shouldn't take many hits if you know how to ride. The rear wheel on the other hand has not been so fortunate. It was happily humming along in the beginning while I remained fixed to terra firma XC style. All hell broke loose the moment I started doing 3' wheelie drops, bunny hops over rocks and logs, and launches off of rocks downhill. I had the wheel professionally re-built by the best wheel-builder in Ottawa (so say the national racers) with straight 14 gauge DT spokes but it has never been able to take the rocky and rooty riding in the Gatineau hills and has since gone out of round once again. I found a number of dents in the sidewalls as well so it's not a very sturdy construction. Oh yeah . . . and I'm only 150 lbs. I suppose I could be a more graceful rider so it's not a simple matter to describe rim strength in the real world. Nonetheless, you can see a pattern emerging.
I like the rim's weight for its get up and go acceleration factor but I can't stand knowing I'm riding a rolling timebomb. I wanna race and be competitive but I also wanna have fun on the trails. I think this calls for two rear wheels - one for racing and another for heavier riding. Truly a pricey proposition. I underestimated my needs in a rim because I'm light and I thought I'd keep the rowdiness under control. Neither of these assumptions appear to be correct. I can't really ding the Mavic 317 rim for its limited ability within its intended range of use but I can describe its limitations to prospective buyers who might be eager to save a couple hundred grams of critical rotating mass and forfeit reliability for acceleration.
The bottom line - if you expect to fly for any more than a 1/2 second of air on aggressive XC then don't buy the Mavic 317 or 717 disc rim. I'm not really disappointed. Just underwhelmed by its mediocre strength. It will not exceed your expectations in any way when used with XT hubs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rhame Ofeufter
a Cross Country Rider
from Corvallis OR Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
fairly light, stays true, fairly strong
Weaknesses:
I break spokes on the back wheel all the time, I am not a big rider at less than 160lbs, but every week i break a couple spokes. It doesnt matter if i replace them or have someone else do it, i still break one the next week.
Bike Setup:
enduro pro
Bottom Line:
They stay amazingly true even when the spokes break and i havent damaged the rim itself much (just one little fold in the sidewall) I do ride pretty hard, down steep single track with roots, and i love to take drops (no more than a 9 stair). I guess spokes are pretty cheap and easy replace but doing it constantly gets annoying and since i dont have the money to buy better wheels I will stick with them until they are destroyed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ride Downhill
a Downhiller
from SoCal Date Reviewed: March 10, 2004
Favorite Trail:
The one you're not on.
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
My shop
Strengths:
You get to ride around saying, "I have MAVIC rims, I'm sooo cooool!"
Weaknesses:
You get to go back to you LBS saying, "I have MAVIC rims, I'm soooo stupid!"
Similar Products Used:
Sun rims, exclusively.
Bike Setup:
v10.
Bottom Line:
Listen guys, I know I'm a downhiller and you probably hate me already, but for cryin' out loud, would you get a little wiser and stop slathering your hard earned money on a giant company who doesn't give a rat's ass about you or your rim issues? Mavic is all about European roadies. Nothing against that, I like road riding, too. But they're focus is not on you, the mountain biker. Let me repeat myself, THEY'RE FOCUS IS NOT ON YOU MOUNTAIN BIKERS! Sure, they have some mountain rims, a bunch of them. But the vast majority of them are 26 inch versions of road rims, not suitable for most of today's more aggressive XC sector. You ride hard? Don't ride Mavic. You weigh 120 pounds and race expert XC? Ride Mavic. Give Sunn a call. You'll be surprised that a real person will answer and they'll actually care about you. Really. In the 6 years that I've been riding downhill I've only full-blown destroyed one wheel. A Sunn Doublewide. And I did it by forgetting my front wheel under my tailgait and I backed over it. But here's the kicker: I called Sunn, told them what I did and that it was all my fault, and they sent me out a new rim for just a few bucks over cost. Give Mavic a call and see if they'll do that for ya. We all blow rims at one time or another, some of us even do it the old fashioned way: we forget'em under our vehicles. But Sunn takes care of their people.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado Date Reviewed: January 18, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Look nice. Not very heavy
Weaknesses:
didn't last very long
Bottom Line:
I have these laced to king hubs and have only been on em for about 70 miles. today I joined the many who have posted that the front wheel taco'd. coming down a rocky section the wheel folded. I was lucky enough to have the rim also damaage my rotor :-(. My wheels were built by jensonusa, I should have checked the build a little more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mikse S
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, WA Date Reviewed: December 20, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
wheelset f/r, at Jeff's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Lightweight, relatively inexpensive wheelset (with XT disk hubs). Look good in black.
Weaknesses:
Not strong enough for a 220 lb rider. (but I dunno, maybe this is builder dependent)
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517/XTs, Bontragar
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Paragon, Hayes hydro
Bottom Line:
The 317 rims with XT hubs are a nice way to get started with disks. They were inexpensive and seem well built, for the most part. Mine wheelset was built by QBP, who I thought would be good builders, but maybe the build quality had something to do with the problems I had, along with my big ass. The front wheel taco'd after a few weeks of XC riding, (no drops, few jumps, light XC riding). Maybe it was a fluke, I don't know. I replaced the front and haven't had trouble with it since. The rear wheel stayed true for 9 months of riding, then developed a wobble that cant be trued out (the rim is visibly bent). It's still ridable, but I'm shopping for a stronger rim. This rim would be great for an under 200lb XC rider looking for a light disk setup. Possibly they would be even better when built by a good builder.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno NV Date Reviewed: November 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Out my front door
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Cambria
Strengths:
Strong and light. Easy tire changes.
Weaknesses:
A little expensive compared to Sun, Etc. Get what you pay for.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 221's & Bontrager (cheap), Velocity (never again...barely could change a tire with motorcycle tire irons)
Bike Setup:
SC Blur, King, Fox, Ti...yada yada yada
Bottom Line:
I've worked these rims, laced to Chris King hubs, for over two years on four different bicycles, several thousand miles riding all over CA and NV, especially in the Tahoe area (rocks, lots of rocks). I'm not a hucker, a couple of feet of air max, but I regularly clock 30 MPH plus on some pretty rutted and rocky downhills. I haven't had to true these in a year...so I'm buying another pair for my backup bike. From looking at the other reviews I'd say the builder makes a pretty big difference on whether these hold up or not.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Ravensdale, WA Date Reviewed: September 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my post a month ago. Mavic refuses to warranty this rim. I can't even give 'em a turtle head for this treatment. In the biking industry I have learned that some company's, Cane Creek, WTB, Planet Bike, Hayes, have great customer service and will try to work with you. Then along comes Mavic, WTF??? I realize they can't go handing rims out every time someone says, "So there I was just riding along when...", but then when your dealer goes to bat for you, and the rim is only a few months old?? Off to Velocity rims next. I called their number to ask some questions about which rim to get next. The nice guy there talked with me without concern to do anything but answer any and all questions I had.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jon
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh Date Reviewed: August 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Lightweight, black
Weaknesses:
Weak
Bike Setup:
GT avalanche
Bottom Line:
Rear wheel with XT hubs from good wheel builder, out of true, developed bad wobble, etc This rim went bad within 10 rides. I am going to the F219s, I think 317s are too soft for an aggressive XC rear wheel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Ravensdale, WA Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything/Everything
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$165.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Path, OR
Strengths:
Light weight
Weaknesses:
They broke
Similar Products Used:
223's, Singletracks, DSII
Bike Setup:
Enduro FSR Pro
Bottom Line:
Not sure what or why it happened, I use these rims for nothing worse than hard XC riding over roots/rocks and drops of no more than 1 foot at good speed for soft landings, but the front rim gave away yesterday sending me augering into the ground. Everyone I encountered on the trail on the 6 mile walk out said they'd never seen a rim do that before. It broke in 2 places, 180 opposed, straight in toward the hub, bent my rotor. I can only surmise that DB spokes an aluminum nipples aren't meant for this type of riding. I'm 6'5"/200 fyi. Maybe back to the Singletracks, they always rode good, except for their weight they are a great rim.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Light weight, Durability.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 221
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bottom Line:
I have these rims built up with XT disc hubs. I've ridden them pretty hard over the last two years and they've only ever required minor trueing. They've performed much better than my old Mavic 221's which developed flat spots after one season. I'd definitely buy these rims again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jesse
a
from ny, ny Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
sid's nyc
Strengths:
light
Weaknesses:
bends
Bike Setup:
'03 Yeti ASR with "03 XTR
Bottom Line:
My wheels were built by Wheelsmith with ’03 XTR hubs and they bent to an unfixable useless shape in under 12 rides. I have ridden some rocky stuff but thought they would have held up for longer than this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terry
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar Hills, UT Date Reviewed: March 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
LBS in Macon GA
Strengths:
Strong cross country rim. Good looking in all black. Strong and light.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Coda rims (too soft)
Bike Setup:
Cannondale f900sx stock plus egg beaters, 317's & carbon bar.
Bottom Line:
The only one of these I have ever managed to knock out of true was due to a bike rack failure at 80MPH on the freeway. It bent way less than the coda that was on the back.
I think the strength of the rim saved my Lefty fork and frame from damage.
I am a heavy (220) and aggressive trail rider that's not afraid to take moderate drops as speed. The 317's have never flinched.
I am building up a Santa Cruz Heckler now with 317's. I am a believer!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Hlavin
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Pandapas Pond
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Great lightweight disc rim. Holds the tire well and is extremely light.
Weaknesses:
Its not meant for big hits, I have broken two trying to do rough terrain and rocky sections.
Similar Products Used:
Spinergy SM-3, Mavic F219 Disc
Bike Setup:
Fisher Sugar frame, Race Face cranks, all XT drivetrain, Black Elite 80/100, Avid disc brakes
Bottom Line:
I think this is a great rim, Mavic builds quality stuff. But if you are a rough rider, or even think about doin any free riding don't do it on these rims. If you are looking to upgrade your ride to disc brakes and use for just XC or racing, these are the rims to get.
I have broken two of these rims just trying to ride the stairs on my campus and through a rock garden at my local trail. They just can't take any really heavy impacts.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tapeng
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stay TRUE and ROUND
Similar Products Used:
mavic 517
Bike Setup:
hardtail
Bottom Line:
Replace the 517 with 317 for disk upgrade. I weight 150 to 160 lb and do not jump but ride hard on trail with rocks, root and like to do fast decent on these things. When I disassemble the wheel due to real hub failure the wheel stay true and round. Oh, I bumped into my car twice severely and the front wheel stay TRUE. BTW, I built the wheel set myself with half of the day to just make sure each spoke is perfect and rim stay TRUE. I think that make some difference.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Lahaina, Hi. Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Anything dirty & steep
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
West Maui Cycles
Strengths:
Strong, light, and they stay true.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
The cheap (read crappy) sun rims that came with the bike. Don't recall the model, and I realize not all sun rims suck, but these sure did.
Bike Setup:
Jekyll 2000, Ti lefty strut, Fox RC, XTR cranks & drive components, Hayes hydraulic discs, easton EC70 bar, Thompson post, etc.
Bottom Line:
I have absolutely no complaints, these rims have held up and stayed true through a lot of serious riding and a few races. I'm sure a lot has to do with the quality build - thanks Scott. The difference between the machine-built suns that came stock on the bike and these 317's is night and day. By the way, I'm 6'4", 205 lbs, and I rely on my jekyll's suspension to soak up all the rough stuff at speed, and these rims haven't even flinched once.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dennisd
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, Ontario Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Kanata Lakes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$250.00
Strengths:
-light -quite strong -beautiful to look at -disc specific
Weaknesses:
-strength of wheel dependant on who biulds them
Similar Products Used:
Mavic X139 Sun CR17 Specialized Araya TM829
Bike Setup:
X317 rims laced to XT disc hub with Swiss DT spokes
Bottom Line:
First off, these are NOT downhill rims! They aren't really for free-riding either. What they are is a good XC rim and that's what they were designed for. The other thing here is that the quality of the wheelset is not soley dependent on the rim. You can have a great rim, but if the wheelbiuld sucks then then you're wasting your time and money.
Mavic puts together a great rim. I would definitely recommend them for cross country use which is their intended purpose.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
justin faint
a Weekend Warrior
from brisbane, queensland, australia Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
gee out
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
strathpine bicycle centre
Strengths:
there is none
Weaknesses:
bend easy and crack at the eyelets
Similar Products Used:
sunrim mamoth
Bike Setup:
cannondale f900sx lefty
Bottom Line:
if you want a rim that is going to hold up cross country racing and a bit of fun on the weekend DONT buy mavic 317. they are the biggest heap of crap rim i have ever bought. i never realy rode them hard just a couple of jumps and alot of shaley single tracks.
the bottom line is if you want to buy this rim you have to treat it like your girlfriend, nice and gentle.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BP
a Cross Country Rider
from OR Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
Gregg's Greenlake in Seattle
Strengths:
Builds easy, takes hits, stays true
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Element Race FS w/ Marz Z3, XT disk brakes. Rims laced 3x with DT 14/15G double-butted to XT hubs (36h).
Bottom Line:
I ride aggressive XC/downhill 2x/week plus urban assault. I built the wheels myself (w/ 36spokes) and I haven't had to re-true the rims for 3 months. These will take 5ft drops (maybe higher?) onto concrete with my weight (~200lbs) if they are built properly and you know how to land correctly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek Gale
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Russ Hay's
Strengths:
Looks good, light-ish, disc specific
Weaknesses:
It buckled at the valve stem and folded up on me while descending a minor run-out.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 217, Mavic 117, Sun CR18
Bike Setup:
Kona Bear Dee-Lux
Bottom Line:
I have had good performance from other Mavic rims - I thoght they were the best. While I am 6' 4", 200lbs, I ride pretty smoothly cross country and in 15 years have never tacoed a wheel. This was bizarre - a 5' run-out, (not a drop-off), with no wheel traps or rocks and the front wheel buckled at the valve hole - metal was torn. All the riders that stopped to comment as I walked out said they had never seen anything like it, as did the guys at my LBS, except the manager, who said it was normal and that I must have got the wheel sideways - happens all the time. Still, I feel let down by Mavic. I bought another (it matches the back), so I'll see if this is the new "normal" quality for Mavic. For now, 1 warm thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Noah Jensen
a Racer
from St. Cloud, Mn, USA Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Elk River
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Mavic
Strengths:
Sexy, strong and light. all black looks good with black hubs and spokes. Build up wonderfully when you get some round ones. Durable finish. Build up quite good.
Weaknesses:
Got two in a row from mavic that were defective. For one the seam was welded improperly. I guess they must line up the to ends by hand because at the seam one side was about 2 mm higher than the other. So when I went to build them up they slowly hopped up and then right at the seam dropped back down. And one there was a slight flat spot at the seam. No big deal but when i called to get them coverd by warranty he told me that no rims were perfect and the was going to be inperfections in all rims. I understand that but all i want is rims that are round.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517's(silver, black, and citron), 217's, 221's, Bontrager Mustangs, WTB speedmaster (crap) Sun Mammoth, Sun rhyno lites,
Bike Setup:
Soulcraft Option3, Fox float RLC, King headset and ISO hubs laced to 317's through some DT comp db, Hope Mini's, Dean bulged Ti bar (sweet) Titec steel stem, Carbon 100's bar ends, Race Face turbine LP's, XTR rear and front Derailluer, XTR rear shifter 8spd, XT Front Shifter, Gore Rideon Cables, Crank Bros Egg Beaters, Tioga Factory XC Extreme tires, Xtr Seatpost, Serfas ARC saddle.
Bottom Line:
Wonderful XC rims Buy some have someone you trust build the wheels. Someone who knows what they are doing. Some shmucks try to build wheels but don't know what they are doing and then the wheels suck and people blame it on the parts. Mavic rims are great. And DT spokes are the only way.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dante
a Downhiller
from peekskill,ny Date Reviewed: December 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
trumbull
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
amazingly strong, light
Weaknesses:
umm, none that I know of
Similar Products Used:
rhyno-lites, 517s
Bike Setup:
2001 bullit, z1, vanilla RC
Bottom Line:
these things are amazing. they were hand-built by some shop in boston, and they have held up to everything I can throw at them. Built up using straight 14 guage spokes, brass nips and XT hubs. They've survived DH'ing at Killington, plus free-riding around here. Highest drop was 8' to a flat landing and these held up fine. Haven't landed crooked yet, so not sure about that, but in the 5 months I've had them, I've only had to do a couple minor trues. *note* It really all depends on who builds them and how they're built, of course if they're machine-built with crappy spokes, then no, they're not going to last. Built up right, though, they'll take quite a beating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kip smith
a Downhiller
from idaho Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
tubbs hill
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
vertical earth
Strengths:
will not bend
Weaknesses:
none
Bike Setup:
kona nunu
Bottom Line:
they are the best i hit a curb going 20mph with a flat and i did not even get a scratch on them
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bülent K
a Weekend Warrior
from Venray Date Reviewed: June 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
South Turkey
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
mtb shop
Strengths:
after 2 jears of riding and jumping,thru sand,mud,rocks,drop offs between 2-3 meters,three roots,rocky gardens,fast dh,freeriding ,kliming and XC it's still straight.
Weaknesses:
no weaknesses,and the paint is still new.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager disc rims,on mine fourth ride on 99"holiday in turky,the rear rim bend after an 3 foot drop of,on an fast sheep shepherd track down the mountains. on the same tracks the mavics still holding like new.
Bike Setup:
Trek vrx400,shimano XT / XTR drive,race face bar,stem,seatpost,chris king head set,discotech hubs,hope pro discs,pace rc 37 forx,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Bottom Line:
are you not more then 130 pounds,you dont do only DH and scary jumps like bike cross,and likes also to klime first to the top ? then I think this is good and strong enough for the work. I used it everywhere I could bike,in turky,holland.germany,in the alps and still going strong. but after 2 years it's time for something new and it wil be again Mavic
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
big wiffer
a Cross Country Rider
from usa Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything evil
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came on jekyll 3000sl
Strengths:
light, gold anodize looks cool on bike,
Weaknesses:
bend easy
Similar Products Used:
sun disco/rhyno. mavic 223,weinmann
Bike Setup:
jekyll 3000 SL
Bottom Line:
These rims are light look cool, seem best for light cross country. First ride in rocky area, bent edge, developed a hop way out of true. I have abused cheap rims and they have held up better.Cannondale should put better rims on high end bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Orsini
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Petersburg, FL Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mo Bridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist
Strengths:
I have ridden on these rims for over a year with no problems including two trips to Georgia as well as a lot of Florida riding.
Weaknesses:
Not as sexy as my 517 CD ceramics.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517 CD Ceramics with XTR hubs.
Bike Setup:
2000 Jekyll 900sl with coda hubs, coda brakes (that work fine), xtr shifters and derailleurs, Thompson seatpost, Fizik team replica seat and easton ct-2 handlebar, and Hutchinson Mosquito 2.0 airlights (another product that works great but gets lousy reviews).
Bottom Line:
These are great rims. I am about 6'2" and 195 and I have bashed around on these for a year and have had no problems whatsoever. Plus the grey looks cool with XTR stuff. Most of my riding is x-country with a few hairy Georgia downhills thrown in. So if you are the normal weekend x-country rider or even a racer and you have disc brakes, these rims are for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DC
a Cross Country Rider
from Marlboro MA USA Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Killer 290 in Marlboro MA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Light and come at a good price
Weaknesses:
Not as strong as I though they would be
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Mostly XT with Hayes Hydraulics
Bottom Line:
I bent the front rim on a pretty tame rock. Dented the rim on one side and the tube exploded out of the front tire and wrapped itself around the fork! Friggen bizarre. I deflated the tube and was able to reuse it. I had to use my chain breaker on my all-in-one to bend the rim back into shape.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DonJoey
a Cross Country Rider
from NH Date Reviewed: February 22, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Salem
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Bikeman.com
Strengths:
STRONG and light. Disc specific and oh so pretty (citron)....
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
138's and Zak 19 (piece of monkey chit)
Bike Setup:
Citron 317, blue Spline Drive nippies, Dt 14/15 db, and I had to give in on hub (grimeca) soon to be replaced with blue King's. Wahoooooo
Bottom Line:
My first wheel building experience went quite well. Still as true as when built (6 months) after having 200lb riding bud learn to hop around on um, and busting down trails. Thats pretty swwwweeeatttt!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Haw Ridge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At:
Wheel World
Strengths:
Light, strong (when used correctly), and sweet color.
Weaknesses:
None that I see
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 223 disc
Bike Setup:
Giant XtC SE-1, SID XC (99, when they were good), XT components, XT discs, etc.
Bottom Line:
If you ride cross country, these are sweet rims. If you ride downhill, go buy some downhill rims and don't complain when a XC rim breaks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lewis
a Cross Country Rider
from england Date Reviewed: November 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
drive up, ride down. Ahhhh.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
mud dock cycleworks
Strengths:
Looks make the bike, disc specific, looks, lightweight, looks. Funny colour.
Didn't seem a lot of point in having braking rims with disc brakes, I had some good hubs and the rims were 30 quid each plus 35 for both wheel builds. For 140 dollars (or so), it seemed rude not to. I think they make me go faster, and who are you to argue? They are light and quite skinny - they're for XC not downhill. Mavic make downhill rims - get some of them instead of whining that your rims bent. Use gear within the scope of its design and it will perform. So there. And they look good, although the yellow/green/gold colour will clash with anything. Eyecatching, especially with discs and a good cassette and rear mech, i.e. XTR.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ray (elsaltamontes)
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbell, CA Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Tahoe
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
well, they're cheap.
Weaknesses:
i bent the rims after a dozen rides. needed to true them after the first 6 rides. granted i was really hard on them. but hey we're suppose to right? these are the x317s by the way, for disk brakes. they're also pretty heavy. i had shimano xt hubs.
Similar Products Used:
right now, i've got the wtb laser beams. i have ridden bontrager mustangs
Bike Setup:
frame: ventana el saltamontes fork: bomber z1 cr cranks/chainrings: raceface next lp seatpost: raceface xy stem/headset: raceface handlebars: monkeylite rearshock: fox rc
Bottom Line:
i'm disappointed. i didn't expect these rims to bend so easily. i weigh 165. a pretty hard downhiller, but i've seen other guys worse than i. i'm more of a cross-country that likes fast technical downhill. i'm psyched on my new wtb laserbeams. been riding it as hard for the past couple of months and not a tweak.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nikolas Ojala
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampere, Finland Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000
Good for XC riders that understand the value of disc brakes. There are other good rims for DH people.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
June Mizoguchi
a Racer
from Elizabethtown, KY Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Otter Creek Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
strong and light weight
Weaknesses:
Haven't seen any problem
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 222
Bike Setup:
Homegrown 99', Hayes F/R Disc, Marzocchi X-Fly 2000,XT Components, 9speed
Bottom Line:
I'm pretty aggressive rider and my local trail is pretty rough. With condition where I train, the wheel is handling good.
Custom wheel is the best, depends on who builds it.. make the big difference
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Machesney Park, IL Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
strong, eyelets, anodized, only 395 grams
Weaknesses:
the stickers on mine are starting to come off.
i wonder if i could buy some from mavic?
Similar Products Used:
mavic 223, spin, lots of junk
Bike Setup:
giant mcm team
Bottom Line:
good rim could be lighter, less $$$, and come with an extra set of stickers.
best disc only rim on the market!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517s Weinmann Zach19s (stay away from these)
Bike Setup:
C'Dale SuperV with Lefty Coda Hubs with 14/15/14 spokes, Coda Expert Disk brakes, ESP 9.0 Drive train, RaceFace chainrings
Bottom Line:
At nearly 200 lbs I always have problems with wheels. I have yet to ride a OEM wheel that lasted 3 months (not everyone is 160 pounds).
Any custom made wheel is only as good as the wheel builder; that said I am happy with this rim so far.
Overall the rims look great, 4 stars.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Duckworth
a Cross-Country Rider
from Acworth, GA Date Reviewed: July 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tsali if it isn't crowded
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
eyelets lightweight strong - so far
Weaknesses:
expensive compared to Sun DS1-XC disc rim
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 238 Sun DS1-XC disc rim
Bike Setup:
DT/Hugi/Hayes hub DT 14g black spokes DT red alloy nips
Bottom Line:
So far, so good. I've put them through alot in a short amount of time and I haven't had to true them yet - although it's hard to tell if they are bent or not without brakes to judge by. 4 stars because of the price.
Overall Rating:
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