-The Crossmax SL, an even lighter version, is designed for intensive use in Cross Country racing, for racers who refuse to accept compromise. Using the ISM technology developed on the road, the profile of the rim has been made considerably more lightweight. This reduction in weight does not compromise its stiffness, which remains as good as on the previous versions. Finally, these wheels always offer the possibility of riding tubeless, for even better performance, and reducing the risk of flats from a pinched tube.
Submitted by
B1k3rchr1s
a Cross Country Rider
from Barnsley Date Reviewed: April 19, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Hagg Farm XC
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Pauls Cycles
Strengths:
Outstanding Lightweight wheel set and surprisingly strong. They look fantastic and weigh only 1520g per pair. Superb acceleration and rolling. Honestly never ridden anything as smooth.
Weaknesses:
Bearings I have now had 2 pairs and the rear wheels on both have suffered from the bearings startingto seize. Sets of these are readily available and it's a fairly easy job to change, just a bit annoying.
Similar Products Used:
Crossmax slr
Bike Setup:
Giant team carbon, sid team, full xtr.
Bottom Line:
Buy these wheels and roll with it, you will not be disspapointed, if the only thing you have to put up with is changing the bearings in the rear every couple of years, then when you drop your mates on that killerclimb it'll make it all worth while...Superb!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pabsw
a Cross Country Rider
from Hampshire Date Reviewed: April 12, 2009
Favorite Trail:
oxdrove way
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
second hand
Strengths:
lightweight, stiff, smooth rollers. don't have that annoying dragging sound when going fast with air resistance. improved my aveerage speed by about an mph and a half which I didn't expect (on my road circuit) great acceleration no wind up like with my old xc717's. saved a pound in weight. are true as true can be. when combined with a stiff frame the power transfer is amazing
Weaknesses:
rear wheel is gonna need stripping down and the parts reset as it's just started waggling about a .25mm from side to side. not really concerned but I think I'll get them serviced. but not bad for a second hand wheelset with a 3-4yr history!
I thinnk that they will not handle drop-offs too well. I'm not aggressive and weight 180lb
Similar Products Used:
xc717's with hope hubs, Rolf propel (back in the day! sniff)
Bike Setup:
Klein attitude XV w/ full XTR m960, fox f80Rl, thomson pin & bar, conti 1.5" tyres. 21.5 pounds with these puppies!
Bottom Line:
get them!
cheapish if you can get them second hand but ensure hubs are sound. expensive if not.
If you can imagine an exponential graph with price against performance, at the beginning you pay a little more for a big gain in performance, at the top end you pay big money for a little gain. these wheels are a big gain over the xc717's.
I run with tubes and 1.5" tyres and mounting is dificult. LBS advised washing up liquid to ease tyre into place. when inflating you hear unnerving popping sounds, this is just the tyre setting itself and is normal. You don't need rim tape!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ntj
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: January 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Ourimbah
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$600.00
Strengths:
Light, strong, reliable
Weaknesses:
Could have more points of engagement
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz SL 07, RS REvelation
Bottom Line:
I've been riding these for years, sometimes pretty badly too. I've smacked them on things and been sure that I've damaged them only to see them as true as when I got them. I have cleaned and oiled the pawls 3 times since I got them, and the hub looks and works well still - just some more points of engagement would make them perfect.
They mount UST tyres easily and hold air well. The bike climbs well with these wheels. They were a bit expensive when new, but they have turned out to be good value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
FancyPete
a Racer
from Chico, CA, USA Date Reviewed: January 1, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$900.00
Strengths:
Durable, Light, Tubeless.
Weaknesses:
$$$$
Similar Products Used:
Various DT Swiss wheels, various Shimano etc.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic
Bottom Line:
I've ridden these wheels like they were intended for all-mountain use for about a year now. Granted, I only weigh 145lbs, but they have stayed amazingly true, I have NEVER had a flat tire, and have had absolutely no issues from the rear hub. Awesome wheels for racing as well. Very easy to set up tubeless also. Less one chili because they are freakin' expensive.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lesvan
a Weekend Warrior
from Valemount Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Saturday night loop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Rocky Mountain
Strengths:
This is a bomber wheel set. Stays true transfers energy well and....tubless tech is great!
Weaknesses:
Thee have been complaints around me about the bearings and I have had some wheel loosening problems and the freehub seems to have loosened off a bit.
Similar Products Used:
Tons!
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Elemnt 90 pretty much stock!
Bottom Line:
I rode these rims through the transrockies and the were great withabsolutely no issues. I have had them apart once for servicing and met one other fellow who had non drive side bearing issues but...Mine have worked flawlessly. I flipped a huge stick up into the bladed spokes during the TR and the stick broke and my rim didn't. I love the rimset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dannyjoy
a Racer
from grass valley ca Date Reviewed: June 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Dirt merchant
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
pro deal
Strengths:
UST works great. strong rims. i beat them hard
Weaknesses:
the rear hub lasts only a few months- then needs to be replaced
Similar Products Used:
hadley. shimano
Bike Setup:
ibis mojo carbon
Bottom Line:
i got these wheels really cheap- thank god. they only lasted three months and the free hub is not working anymore. ive had 4 different sets (cross max and dee max) of these wheels and all of them fail after a few months. which really sucks because its left me stranded way out in moab. bottom line- get something of higher quality if you ride hard.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
messyhair
a Cross Country Rider
from Sioux Falls SD Date Reviewed: June 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Came on a bike
Strengths:
They stay true.
Weaknesses:
Rear hub. The first set i had i never had problem with. The second set i have had nothing but problems with the rear hub. I overhauled the freehub body myself the first time and it still Didn't work. So i sent it to mavic and it worked even worse when i got it back from them.
Bike Setup:
08 S Works Stumpjumper HT,
Bottom Line:
Fast wheels when the rear hub is working.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lance
a Cross Country Rider
from Aspen, CO Date Reviewed: February 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$740.00
Purchased At:
Friend of a friend
Strengths:
These are the 07 SL with tubeless Kenda Nevegal. These wheels are extremely fast, even while coasting! They are strong and relatively light. They are sweet!
Weaknesses:
Don`t know yet, but I have a noise that sounds like my rear nobbies are rubbing on the frame. I can`t pinpoint the problem while charging down singletrack. It goes away when I stop. I`m losing my mind!
Similar Products Used:
Old XT front wheel replacement that slowed me down considerably!
Bike Setup:
07 Ellsworth Truth, Sram Xo, Juicy Carbon
Bottom Line:
No doubt about it, these wheels rip! Upon reading Mike Mann`s post, it was nice to hear that the sound his free hub was making is similar to mine. It sounds like my nobbies are rubbing against the frame or elsewhere. So, I will take the proper steps to hopefully eliminate the problem. I`ll get back to everyone and let you know what I find...I have never taken the hubs apart to clean or service them because they always ran well. Now`s the time!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shad
a Racer
from Mission, KS Date Reviewed: February 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
came on my Giant Anthem
Strengths:
Tough, light
Weaknesses:
Freehub
3 buddies had these go out at about the same mileage
Similar Products Used:
DT swiss, Specialized, Mavic, Felt, Richey
Bike Setup:
Anthem or XTC Carbon
Bottom Line:
I'm a 140 lb X-C racer who rides hard. I've raced these all over on some pretty rough trails... I've never knocked em out of true and never unseated a bead. At 1.5 years old I was in the middle of a race and the free hub started screaming at me. While it might have been neat to imagine I had a King rear hub, I was more concerned with shelling my bottom bracket 20 miles from anywhere in the middle of the mountains. I knew it was coming so I made sure to keep it cleaned and lubed always but it still happened and was over 50 bucks just for parts. Luckily it was an easy install (pawls, springs and freehub body) to do by myself. Still a pretty sweet set of wheels if you don't mind replacing parts once in a while.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder Date Reviewed: November 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Strengths:
Lightweight, stiff, fast. Track very well at speed. Terrific race day wheel, and for me, all-round wheel set.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race Lite/tubeless with Swiss DT hub. Wheelsmith handbuilt with XT hub.
Great wheelset. Logged 1200 miles on them this season, including a 7 day MTB stage race in British Columbia that featured many stream crossings, difficult (for me) downhills-including black diamond rated descents at Whistler. Absolutely no problems, and being the lazy person I am, no service in that interval. No flats either. During the race, my team mate destroyed both his front and rear wheels (hub in the latter case) and his shock. Although expensive, I love the wheels. I recently had to substitute a handmade wheel with an XT hub on the front, and I noticed a difference immediately in coast down speeds and acceleration-and I don't usually notice subtle stuff. In contrast to others I have had no problems with the rear hub.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Mann
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho USA Date Reviewed: October 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anything in the Stanley Basin
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Used Set on Giant Anthem
Strengths:
Rigid, Light, Roll easily. Have zero problems with leaks with tubeless tires and Stans. Better control in all conditions than I have experienced on any other wheel. I love this wheel set.
Weaknesses:
This is a racing wheel so it means the rear hub is built for speed and it's sensitive to dirt and wear on the drive system. Their patented force transfer system uses just 6 tiny steel parts that weigh just a few grams (2 pawls, 2 springs, 2 stainless bearings) to transfer all pedal force to the light weight alloy wheel. It's light and it works. It also wears because there is so much force on the tiny parts. When it wears, eventually, the pawls grab the freewheel when you are coasting fast downhill or back pedaling and the wheel lets out a banshee moan that would raise the dead or be quite popular on Halloween. The first thing you do is look down to see what the tire tread is rubbing on because that's where it seems the sound is coming from. But as soon as your begin pedaling, the sound goes away.......
If you buy these wheels and ride them a lot, you can expect to clean and lube the free wheel drive system occasionally, and you should be prepared to replace the wheel bearings if they begin to wear. For racers, that's something normal. For normal humans, it means that the best features of the wheel set, light and fast also requires that you clean and lube the hub and occasionally and replace parts that are out of tolerance.
If you want to ride without maintaining your ride, or if you like free riding and big air downhill, this isn't your wheel set.
This is not a free ride or downhill wheel and isn't designed for that environment. Buy something with a beefier drive system and looser tolerances to withstand the abuse they will take.
Since my wheel set had been used by a racer for a season without any service, and I didn't know what service was required, I wasn't expecting problems. I began experiencing this issue intermittently about 4 months after I started riding the bike.
Mavic has a fix - it is to replace the worn pawls, clean and lube the bearing surface with super thin, super slick lube. There are other things that will contribute to the problem. Worn wheel bearings that allow the pawl and free wheel engagement angles to change, dirt in the mechanism and dérailleur jockey pulley bearings that aren't running free.
If you want to own these wheels, the recommended service is to check and clean and lube the pawl system every few rides if you are riding in dust or water, and make sure that bearings and deraileur jocky pulleys are free running and not worn.
These are race wheels. They will spoil you. And while I was at first angry about the problem when it showed up. It appears that the prior owner of the bike did zero maintenance and I needed to preplace several worn parts. This drive system will wear again and the next time I'll know what to do. If I were a racer, I'd probably clean and lube the hub drive system before every race and after practice if I were riding in water or dust.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic Crossland, XTR, Deore
Bike Setup:
Giant Anthem, X0, XTR, Raceface, Hayes Carbon, 2006 Manitou Suspension
Bottom Line:
I love these wheels for their precision handling and Cross Country performance and will pay them back for the enjoyment they give me with a little maintenance now and then.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Fyfe
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Niguel, Ca Date Reviewed: October 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Fyfebruce@hotmail.com
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
RBikes.com
Strengths:
Great wheels, lite and strong
Weaknesses:
None noted
Similar Products Used:
Alex Wheels
Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix, Mavic SSC SL,
Bottom Line:
Would highly recommend this wheel set and also recommend RBikes.com as a compny to do business with...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SAL VENUTO
a Cross Country Rider
from VINELAND, NJ USA Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
MIDDLE RUN DELAWARE
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$700.00
Strengths:
LIGHTWEIGHT - SMOOTH ROLLING - DESIGNED FOR LIGHTER WEIGHT RIDERS < 175 LBS.
Weaknesses:
NOT VERY DURABLE - MAVIC CUSTOMER SUPPORT STINKS - CAN'T BUY REPLACEMENTS PARTS EASILY - CASSETTE FREHUB WEARS AFTER ONE SEASON $75 FOR THE PART - SPOKES BROKE - CAN'T BUY REPLACEMENTS MUST SEND THE WHEEL OUT FOR SERVICE - BETTER OPTIONS BY AMERICAN CLASSIC AND BONTRAGER
I WOULD NOT RECCOMEND THIS WHEELSET. VERY EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN AND THERE ARE BETTER OPTIONS OUT THERE. THE CASSETTE FREEHUB INCOPORATES A NON-REPLACEABLE NYLON BUSHING THAT WEARS AND CAUSES CASSETTE WOBBLE. SHIFTING BECOMES A PROBLEM AND THE REPLACEMENT PART IS MORE THAN $75. MORE IF YOU NEED TO HAVE PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED. THIS PART LASTS FOR ABOUT ONE SEASON
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Marquette, MI USA Date Reviewed: August 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
dirt...
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$799.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Weight. They are very light. Hubs seem to have an easily servicable design...especially with sealed cartridge bearings. The wheels are also plenty stiff in my experience. I weigh 180 with gear and ride XC trails. Fit and finish are exceptional, and you would expect that after paying the premium price.
Weaknesses:
Have yet to find any structural issues. Price is high.
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek Terros. XT/717 wheelsets. DT/819 wheelsets.
Bike Setup:
2007 Specialized Stumpjumper comp. Mostly stock. I use tubes.
Bottom Line:
Nice wheelset. They make my bike feel MUCH more lively than the heavier wheels I've ridden. Acceleration is immediate...there is no spoke wind-up.
Stiffness seems good. The wheels feel solid. No issues to speak of in that regard. I don't jump off things more than 1 foot high. I don't bash my stuff. I ride hard and often, but I am also careful to maintain my equipment.
I think you are paying for the weight benefit when you buy these wheels. Sure...other wheelsets do just fine and cost much less, but those sets also weigh substanitally more. I'm no weight weenie, but I have to say that I noticed an immediate and pleasing difference in performance when I put these wheels on my Stumpy.
If you can afford these, go with them. Even if you don't like them, they'll still hold tremendous resale value. Would I buy again? Yes. It'll be hard to go back to riding other wheels after riding these. Outstanding wheels...just a bit pricey. You get what you pay for, though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Greenville, SC, USA Date Reviewed: August 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
PMSP
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$85.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Light, stiff, stay true, roll smoothly
Weaknesses:
Make the rest of my bike look bad; hope I don't have to find a replacement spoke when in some podunk town without a handy Mavic reseller
Similar Products Used:
Cheap Deore/Mavic wheels found under every rock
Bike Setup:
2000 Marin Eldridge Grade w/ following revs: SS conversion (Singleator, Endless cogs, Salsa rings), Crank SL pedals, Serfas gel saddle, 2.3 Maxxis Larsen TT tires, this front wheel, and Avid BB5 disk brake up front.
Bottom Line:
I only bought the front wheel. It was cheap @ Performance because they were clearing out a previous year. If I paid straight retail the value rating would have been lower.
My initial impression of this wheel was bad, but turned out to be due to poor setup by my LBS. Back at the house I retrued the wheel and reinstalled the disk brake. So much for paying people to do my own work! Since then I have been very happy with the wheel. It's very light and responsive, yet quite stiff and has needed no subsequent retrueing after a good amount of all-mountain style riding. I'm sure that at some point it will need some love, but it's looking to stay true better than standard wheels.
I run 2.3" tires on this wheel, and that's probably a bit outside of the envelope. They work and I'm happy, but 2.1" is a more realistic max. The rim is pretty skinny.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gary edwards
a Weekend Warrior
from wales Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Innerleithen
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Strengths:
super smooth, strong ,lightweight
Weaknesses:
slow air loss through tubeless rims, free hub wear.expensive
Bike Setup:
Orange 5 with manitou 4 way shock, manitou minute forks, xt hollowtech chainset, Hayes HFX brakes and xt mech gear.
Bottom Line:
top wheel set, but have to admit i can only compre the Mavix crossmax to the wheels used by my riding budddies who always seem to be repairing punctures or loseing ground to me when free wheeling. wouldnt want to change to anything else
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from San Joose Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Tractor at Demo
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Strengths:
These wheels are super strong! I've had these wheels trued once a year that's it. I ride them very hard, they've been raced in 2 24hr races and once at Sea Otter. I love them!
Weaknesses:
Not a one!
Similar Products Used:
317's with XT hubs
Bike Setup:
SC Blur, XTR, Easton, Thompson, Hayes Carbon, Race Face Deus
Bottom Line:
These are worth the money for sure! Bombproof for XC and light trail riding. Do not use these for drops, these are XC wheels!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eli
a
from Miami Date Reviewed: April 30, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$760.00
Purchased At:
Bike America Trek Super Store - Plantation Florida
Strengths:
I immediately noticed a difference in the rotational weight. Awesome feel and climb.
Weaknesses:
None, Except poor SUPPORT.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Discs, Xts
Bike Setup:
07' Trek Top Fuel ex7 with SLs
Bottom Line:
Well, After 2 weeks of hard riding the back rim start making noises. Sounded like those little plastic things girls put on their spokes to make noise. Also shortly after a spoke popped out. I took it to the shop they put it back in and said it was fine. (the noise was caused from dirt in the spokes, they said) Went one weekend the noise happened again, and took them back to him. (He stated it was because I was washing my bike with water. "?" apparently water makes rims melt.) Currently I am leaving on a trip I paid for with stock rims and still 760 in the hole from bad service, and a defective product. This will be the fourth time going back to the shop with these Rims ~not the only issue with BIKE AMERICA~ Friends crankarm fell off after riding twice on a NEW Gary Fisher bought from there. All in the the same 2 month period as my issues.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Showman
a Racer
from Norman Oklahoma Date Reviewed: April 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Draper
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Bay Area Schwinn
Strengths:
Rolls like crazy, very dependable
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
XT and other wheels that came on stock bikes
Bike Setup:
2004 S-Works Endro
Bottom Line:
Have used these wheels 2 years and only problem I have had was drove into a rock and bent the rim. I have jumped onto rocks so hard that the tire has burped and have not even knocked the rim the least out of true. Cleaned and lubed the free wheel mech. and just hammer on them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Half-Dingo
a Cross Country Rider
from WNC Date Reviewed: February 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
take your pick in pisgah
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
these wheels are rock solid and look great.
Weaknesses:
cant be used for anything but their designed purpose which is xc racing. these wheels will fail if you expect to do anytype of drops or urban riding. they are a very specific cycling component but thats how i treat them like ultra light racing wheels and they hold up fine. buy these wheels on an existing bike through ebay or whatever. if you dont you will pay like $850 if you dont get em on sale.
Similar Products Used:
old school original cross maxs' w/ ceramic rims. mavic 317 disks
Bike Setup:
epic sworks world cup fork xtr gruppo w/ disks bontranger xxx racelite carbon riser bar and stem and these sweet wheels
Bottom Line:
ive never even had to true this set or my other set of old crossmax wheels on my hard tail. i love these wheels they have never let me down in any way and i can feel the difference in acceleration and stiffness. once again you get what you pay for. peace
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Racer
from Rad Racer from the Northwest Date Reviewed: February 7, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
A coach
Strengths:
Stiff Awesome acceleration Durablity Feel Bad ass looks
Weaknesses:
All the nay-sayers giving these amazing wheels a bad reputation.
Similar Products Used:
various other mavic products and sunrims
Bike Setup:
2005 Kona Kula Primo
Bottom Line:
These wheels are ridiculous. Fast, strong, light, and sexy. These are the best wheels i've ever seen or ridden. They handle great, hold up a lot better than all those other people say they do, and add class to even the rustiest clunker.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from East Setauket, NY, USA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Shoreham
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Light and stiff
Weaknesses:
The pawls failed after 6 months of riding. MAVIC WARRANTY SUPPORT IS NON EXISTANT. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GARBAGE.
Similar Products Used:
I've used wheels built on XTR hubs and Hope hubs.
Bottom Line:
I never touched the XTR hubs after 3+ years of riding and I cleaned the freewheel/pawls on the Hope hubs only 2 times in 3+ years and both wheelsets are still running fine.
I weight 170lbs. and I'm not the most aggressive rider in the group. No problem, things break. But .... MAVIC WARRANTY SUPPORT IS NON EXISTANT. Just look at this list of reviews. Do you really want to be approx. 1 in 3 buyers stuck with garbage wheels.
One chili for value because for $650 the warranty should cover ANY malfunction.
Two chilis for Overall because you have a 2 out of 3 chance of getting a nice wheelset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cross Country rider
a
from Illinois Date Reviewed: January 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
looks
Weaknesses:
durability, customer service, repair costs
Similar Products Used:
cane creek
Bottom Line:
This wheel is extremely weak! I purchased these wheels three months ago and Mavic refused to warranty them. Their customer service is the worst in the industry. Stay away from these fragile wheels!! Any drop over 1.5 feet will damage the rim and hubs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a
from Alpine, UT Date Reviewed: December 31, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
For a long time I held off buying expensive wheels. Thought it couldn't possibly be worth the expense to save that much weight. And I already had pretty light wheels.
I probably saved about 200g per wheel with these wheels and the difference is dramatic. Feels like moving from a family sedan to a sports car. The acceleration is so much better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa City, IA Date Reviewed: November 23, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$599.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Looks Cool, light weight, super fast
Weaknesses:
Durability. Customer service.
Bike Setup:
05 Stumpjumper, XTR group, fox shock, thomson stem & post, kris king headset
Bottom Line:
I was doing some trail riding and went off a small 2ft ledge and 3 spokes ended up coming out of the hub which also bent the rim. I weigh 190 lbs. and this little jump was never an issue with my old cheap rims. I am not impressed. Contacting Mavic is impossible. I will not buy Mavic again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pedal
a
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: November 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
not the road
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Absolutely bulletproof in my experience. Light & stiff enough for me. Spin fast.
Weaknesses:
Would prefer SL's in black or stealth colours than silver. With a new frame coming wish they made a 29 inch.
Similar Products Used:
No need when you find a product this good
Bike Setup:
Slide them onto the Yeti ASR-SL, Kula Deluxe HT or DMR Switchback SS at my whim
Bottom Line:
Have had some original Crossmax wheels since 1997 through about 6 years of racing & training & trails in different countries - never touched them, never broke a spoke, did a bearing, opened the freewheel or had to true the rims - they are still on a rim braked bike & although the ceramic is thinning out on the braking surface they're going strong
Got the disc SL's in 2004, expected the same & got the same. Run endurance races & high country trails through all day snow, mud, rocks & river crossings and never touched them. What more could you ask than a great performing product that you can virtually ignore for service. Worth every cent.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny
a Racer
from Foothills near Denver Date Reviewed: July 15, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Ridiculously smooth, solid, and seemed nicely laterally stiff.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Chris King hubs on multiple rims, spokes, etc..
Bike Setup:
YETI Asr-SL XTR and Sram X.O
Bottom Line:
These have been the best wheels I ever used, hands down! The "slow" Chris King hubs due to their greasing deal was hard to deal with, and these SL roll beautifully. I have hammered these wheels and they could care less. I have put well over 700 hours on these wheels and they are perfectly true.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Giancarlo Pelosi
a Weekend Warrior
from Miramar, FL, USA Date Reviewed: July 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Markham Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Bell's Bikes
Strengths:
Very light and stiff. Great looking wheel and hub. Great features. I love the spokes and rim design.. Always an eye catcher on the trail. Love the reflective decals.
Weaknesses:
None. If I had to, I would only substitute these hubs for Chris King's or White Industries hubs.
Similar Products Used:
DT Swiss and WTB.
Bike Setup:
XTR, XT, Race Face, Kenda, Shimano, Chris King, WTB, ODI, SRAM, and Hayes Carbon.
Bottom Line:
Great wheel if you can afford it. If not this one then the Mavic Crossmax XL Disc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wolvie
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz, CA Date Reviewed: July 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
secret trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Light & Stiff
Weaknesses:
There is a pin that is used to hold the rim together in the manufacturing that comes loose. You then get this metal on metal sound that is coming from inside the two walls of the rim. Apparently this is happens all the time! Three local bike shops new what the sound was in a second. The fix is to either drill a hole in the rim and squirt some glue in or pound it with a punch. There is no info on their web site about this and there isn't any contact info on the site either. I'd love to find some specific info on how to fix this. This is wrong for a $800.00 set of wheels. I'm 52 years old and weigh 150 pounds. How much dmamge could I do?
Similar Products Used:
XTR, Dave's Speed Dreams
Bike Setup:
Intense Spider, XTR, FOX 100X & RP3, Easton Carbon Bars & Seatpost, etc.
Bottom Line:
There is no such thing as Mavic support. If you want great support buy you wheels from Dave's Speed Dreams. He is the best.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Logan
a Racer
from Concord, Ca Date Reviewed: June 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Anything long, technical and singletrack; redwoods oriented
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
OEM
Strengths:
the coveted XC race wheelset; looks cool; light
Weaknesses:
Durability?, price, bladed spokes and magnet availability
Similar Products Used:
this is my first high-end wheelset
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Scalpel Team Replica
Bottom Line:
I weigh only 117lbs, use this bike and wheelset exclusively for XC racing -- my Jekyll is my training bike even -- and somewhere in three race I must have caught a rock on the side of the rear wheel. There is a dent, or bowed-in section of the wheel that just cut my UST tire. I'm concerned I will have to pay upwards of $400 to replace this or continue blowing $50 race tires . . . . I'd rather ride a slightly heavier wheel that's going to last -- I've riddent my old Kona and Jekyll through the Rubicon Jeep trail as well as numerous other rough, rocky Tahoe trails for over six years and never had an issue like this; scratches, metal tears, yes, but no bending. Is the high-cost lightweight worth it. I only make $25/hour man.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clay Hubbard
a Weekend Warrior
from Rancho Mirage, CA Date Reviewed: June 21, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Velobum
Strengths:
The wheels are solid and true.
Weaknesses:
The rear hub has gone out two times. Glen at Velobum replaced it once and Mavic warrantied it after about 5 months. The second time he sent it in to Mavic thinking it was a manufacturers defect. Mavic would not warranty it and I have to buy a new rear wheel.
Bike Setup:
Turner Burner, XTR, SRAM mix
Bottom Line:
Although the wheels stay true the rear hub is apparently poorly designed. On an $800 set of wheels the hubs should last longer than 5 months. I going to try Dave's Speed Dream with the ZTR Olympic rim and King hubs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leonard Cheslock
a Cross Country Rider
from Monument, Co, USA Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
bike source
Strengths:
Works great, stays true, rolls about as well as my XT set on the other bike.
Weaknesses:
Website suggests easy and regular maintenance but perscribes use of Mavic mineral oil. I cannot find this porduct. It's not at the local bike shops that sell these products.
Bike Setup:
xc bike
Bottom Line:
Great wheels until the free hub buzzes. The fix is Mavic mineral oil, a product developed by Mavic that is not readily available, but identified in the web site.
They should provide the oil with the wheel set, make it available for purchase, or suggest other.
Rate lower for lack of support
(Lube suggestions welcome!)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville, AL, USA Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$689.00
Strengths:
Keeps trueness so far ... no broken spokes.
Weaknesses:
2 rim cracks already. Spokes are starting to come thru rim.
Similar Products Used:
Spinergy and other Mavic sets
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Team Scalpel
Bottom Line:
I purchased this wheel set because of great reviews. Not only starting to find out that others are having the same problems with this set but that Mavic is one of the most difficult manufacturers to get the warranty thru. Fool me once, shame on Mavic. Fool me twice, well ... NEVER AGAIN!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven Gordon
a Racer
from Warrenton Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Beauty, Pandapadas Pond, Blacksburg, Va
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Relatively lightweight, stiff, ease of maintinence
Weaknesses:
Not very durable in the long term
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 517/Chris King, Mavic 717/XT disc, and other Bontrager wheels
Bike Setup:
Racing Hardtail with lightweight stuff
Bottom Line:
This is a nice wheelset, for about a year. After a year of hard riding and racing, I started breaking spokes for no apparent reason. Not worth the money unless you're willing to replace them in about a year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eric
a Racer
from fall city, washington, usa Date Reviewed: April 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Fall City loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
stiff strong light good lookin pimpin
Weaknesses:
none at all
Similar Products Used:
too many products
Bike Setup:
2006 Kona Kula Primo, Ritchey Pro mtn. stem, Fizik Nisene wingflex seat, FSA Orbit headset, Crankbros candy pedals, yellow oury grips, Sram pg-980 cassette all of the other stuff stock
Bottom Line:
These wheels are worth every penny you spend on them. They are the fastest, strongest, and coolest wheels on the market. They are not made in Taiwan, but in the awesome mavic factory in france by hand. Buy these wheels, they can take abuse and are the best!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SLP
a Cross Country Rider
from Newbury Park, Ca Date Reviewed: March 22, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
MTBR.com
Strengths:
Stiff-Light-Appearance
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Mavic Crossrocs
Bike Setup:
2005 Epic - SRAM X.O Drivetrain, XT Hydros, XT Crankset, Thompson Seat Post, King Headset, Answer Carbon Bars.
Bottom Line:
The greatest difference I think most will notice instantly when trying these wheels for the first time is the increased acceleration. Compared to lower-end wheel sets, these feel expensive. It's impossible to explain, it has to be experienced. Looking down at the front wheel during a long climb and watching that sweet hub spin around and a round is a plus, too. Remember, these wheels are stiffer than most wheels on the market, so there is a noticeable change in the way your forks compress due to the wheel not "giving" as much when descending. It's nothing to fret about, but is noticeable. The rear hub is virtually silent. Don't expect a loud ratcheting sound like some of the other hubs on the market. Very stealth! If you can swing the cash, I would recommend this set to any one contemplating the purchase. Just make sure you don't buy a set and let you bike hang upside down in your garage. These wheels are meant to be used.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoffrey Montague
a Racer
from St. George, UT, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: February 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Stucki Springs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Desert Cyclery
Strengths:
Stiff, Lightweight, Forgiving, Looks, Minamal Rolling Resistance.
Weaknesses:
None so far!
Similar Products Used:
Chris King, WTB Laser Disc
Bike Setup:
Kona Kula Supreme with Sram X.O. shifters and Deraillers,Crossmax,XTR cranks, Thomson seatpost and stem, Hutchinson Python Gold Tires, Eggbeater pedals, Ultegra Cassette, Flite SLK seat, Carbon Flat Bar!
Bottom Line:
These wheels are extremely fast! I have only had them for a short while but I can totally notice the difference over the Chris King Hubs. There is a lot less friction from these hubs. I average 3-4 miles an hour faster on these bad boys. If you want to keep up with roadies on your Mtn Bike then these Wheels are a must. I am a weight weenie so these wheels are right up my ally! Couldn't be happier with these wheels!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris brayman
a Racer
from lake isabella Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
this one
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
these rims really kick ass, I've never ridden a set of rims that didn't need truing after two years of riding. We've been all over the country they are as true as ever.
Weaknesses:
Free hub, so if you don't maintain the free hub you'll have problems. Yes I know, its my fault. But I've searched high and low for a new free hub body and they don't seem to exist. The part I need is the FTS-L free wheel body kit. If anyone can help me my email is cmbiker@hotmail.com
Similar Products Used:
santa cruz, shimano
Bike Setup:
cross country, road, dh, unicycle
Bottom Line:
need some help with the diagnosis, When I'm leaning into the bike on the right side the cassette rubs on the hub, it only happens when I really lay it to the right, and the only part thats rubbing is the composit part of my sram cassette. We thought it was a mistery tire rub but finally found where the rub was happening. I dissasembled the hub and the only thing I could find was the free wheel body has some play. Then with a little digging I found I should be maintaining it with mavic mineral oil. If anyone could help or has had a similar problem let me know.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Lock
a Cross Country Rider
from Glastonbury, Somerset, England Date Reviewed: December 12, 2005
On my first ride I could not belive the differance, I found that my front wheel was lifting to much and was sketchy on the corners, this was obviously due to the lightness of the wheelset which I soon adapted too! These wheels are stiff and track realy well, they also accelerate well and roll fast. Seem to be holding up to the British weather well which is a bonus. The only downside is that I will NEVER consider buying any other wheelset, which might end up bankrupting me!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shiny_car
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$683.00
Purchased At:
ebay + shipping, 'used'
Strengths:
great build quality; stiff and quite light; great for XC
Weaknesses:
free-hub maintenance; expensive if new
Bike Setup:
Specialized HT; Hutchinson Scorpion Lite UST; Avid Juicy 7
Bottom Line:
bought these 'used' off ebay in very good condition; needed new front axel cos one end slightly conical (presumably from jumps) but no probs through LBS; very stiff and remain perfectly true; amazing build quality and design, typical of high-end Mavic; usual maintenance of free-hub required (lubrication) which is a minor hassle; good seal with Hutchinson UST; I'm 70kg and do XC, so these should do me very well
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a
from Florida Date Reviewed: August 31, 2005
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$700.00
Strengths:
This wheel set has been one of the best I have riden so far. I will never take that statment back. I am 220 Lbs. and ride hard. I have had spoke issues on more than one occasion and made it out of trails and home. WOW!
Weaknesses:
MAVIC CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!!!! What a joke. The rim in reference was and is "warranty" what ever that is to mavic. Who knows but not very much at all. It was sent to mavic by my authorized dealer for the issue of a spoke popping out of the ball mounts at the hub. Did not seem that big of deal since the rim could of been replaced or repaired. But NO! It cant be that easy. "Quote Customer service" I put it on the wheel stand and did all I can do. Dude is that what you want to here from a company service rep?? I seriously doubt it. I now have the rim back. It is in the worst shape. I haven't seen a rim laced up in that condition in years. It sounds like a harp when ridden. The spokes were over tightned in some spots and loose in others. Shame on mavic for returning it in that shape. Yea I guess its policy of mavic to not provide Vaseline to there customers with a set of rims.
Similar Products Used:
Spins, Spenirgy SPOX. Mavic, ect..
Bike Setup:
02 cannondale f2000 carbon lefty all xtr hayes breaks thompson seat post, easton ec70 bar of course crosmax sl and a flight saddle and I will never leave out panaracer 2.1 A must in my singletrack trails.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that for the time I have ridden this one set of rims. They have been wonderful. I have had only one single issue. The rear rim. They are fast and so strong! BUT when a warranty issue comes up. Basically you can pound sand per customer service. So understand the product is a good one overall. Just pray you never never have a defective product or warranty issue.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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