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Submitted by
Aaron W
a Cross Country Rider
from Needham, MA, United States
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Smooth rear hub design and engagement, solid bearings, etc..
Rim may be junk, but is 28H, so lacing to a fresh rim is possible. | | Weaknesses: | All of the straight pull spokes can rotate inside of the hub flange! That's why I got it for free! | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic XC717, X3.1, Bontrager Super Stock, Crossmax XL, Velocity VXC, WTB LaserDisc, Sun Rhynolite, etc... | | Bike Setup: | 1993 KHS Montana SS, rigid, tubeless, 23lbs | | Bottom Line: | If you're buying these as a used wheelset, bring a spoke wrench and check for the rotation of these damn straight pull spokes! If your a wheel builder like me, take some straight pull BLADED spokes and lace the hubs up to some nice 28H rims or some other nice rims if you like the hubs. The bladed spokes allow you to wrench away on the nipple without the spoke rotating with it. 5 for value, the rear wheel was free! 2 for overall, as they are repairable, but problematic. (Remember, back in 1998 this straight-pull spoke idea was relatively new.) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington,TN
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Stanky Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Looks, light | | Weaknesses: | weak rims | | Similar Products Used: | Spinergy Cyclone...Mavic Crossland | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS/Klein Mantra Pro/Santacruz Superlight/Serrota SS | | Bottom Line: | I purchase these wheels in 1998 and have used them on four bikes. Three years ago the one of the spoke nipples ripped out of the drivetrain side of the rear wheel. Instead of having it repaired for way too much money, I took a alluminium sprocket bolt, drilled it out to allow the spoke nipple to pass through it. I then countersunk a 1/4" hole to allow the nipple to seat inside the new "eyelet". This allows the spoke to put pressure on the inside layer of the rim instead of the cracked outside layer. I have repeated this repair five more times since then as other nipples have pulled through. I have been abusing these wheels on a single speed for the last 3 years. I have had no problems with the front or the hubs, only the drive side of the rear wheel.
If you have a broken older crossmax, instead of trashing it you might try this simple repair, it takes about 30 minutes.
I'm giving them a four because they did last five years with no problems. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EUAN
a Weekend Warrior
from TAYPORT
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | GLENTRESS | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | DALES , GLASGOW | | Strengths: | LOOKS, LIGHTWEIGHT, TUBELESS | | Weaknesses: | SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED | | Bike Setup: | S-WORKS FSR XC 2001 | | Bottom Line: | I only use this bike for proper riding (not for going to the shops) so they get a pounding every ride. never done any maintainence. Bearings still smooth, rims still true! I used to knacker wheels in no time and these have laughed it all off so far. I really should get the special tools to do maintainence.
Recomended for heavy XC users ( I'm 14 stone). I'm getting a disc set soon as i'm upgrading the brakes to disc.
Only 3 chillies for value as they aren't cheap. but running costs are zero. Tubeless rules. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Howard Kaiser
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | SoMo Geronimo | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | S Go | | Strengths: | Light and durable. Holds air. Needs very little maintenance. Alum spokes are holding up well. Looks good when clean... | | Weaknesses: | Lots of stickers to get messed up. Black looks crappy when dirty. | | Similar Products Used: | No other tubeless. These wheels came with the bike | | Bike Setup: | Stock 04 Hollowpoint Team - Panaracer Fire XC Pro Tubeless tires | | Bottom Line: | Love the tubless! I don't even carry a pump and spare tube on my regular rides. Getting a good tire on it is the trick to reliable rides. Holds air. No leaks. Stays true. Takes a lickin' Bearings and freewheel are showing no signs of going south after 2 years (close to 5K miles) of daily, cross-mountain riding.
I have trued them once due to a dinged spoke and thet's it! I have not kept the spoke really tight as I don't know how much tension the spokes or the rim can tolerate. Based on posts here about spokes pulling out, I have kept the spokes a little slack. The rear feels a littie loose on hard climbs but I've gotten used to it. It has not seriously affected the handling of the bike and I think has preserved the rims.
I've experimented with lots of tubeless tires and the best combo I've found for this bike (wheel) and my riding style (x-mtn) is the XC Pro's. Other tubeless tires were either too heavy or came apart or punctured easily.
Bearings and freewheel have been trouble free. I check them regularly because I've found that sealed bearing seldom stay that way. These boys are still sealed and still rolling smooth.
These are expensive wheels. That's why I gave it 4 on value as there may be equally good wheels out there for less money. I'm not sure that I would spend that kind of money ($800 list) to upgrade my other bike to tubeless, but they came with the bike and I'm glad. I would highly recommend these wheels if they can be gotten new or slightly used for a reasonable price (~$500?). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregg
a Weekend Warrior
from Indy, IN
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | light | | Weaknesses: | when you make something light, it can't be that strong | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 517's | | Bike Setup: | stock KHS soft-tail | | Bottom Line: | I got a deal on these wheels from my LBS, however I ride Clydesdale and these are NOT strong wheels. During one of my many trueing sessions with these wheels, I noticed the valve stem had torn the rim (similar to the nipple pulling through that others have mentioned?). I understand strength to weight ratio but come on! at this price there should be a gold stamped disclaimer if you weigh over 165. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Clemmow
a Racer
from Umhlanga
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Homtini trail Kynsna | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$510.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, strong, durable | | Weaknesses: | The ceramic bush in the freewheel unit is prone to wear | | Similar Products Used: | XTR / 517, | | Bike Setup: | KHS Alite 4000, XTR 03 everything, Easton and USE components, Marzocchi Xfly fork | | Bottom Line: | Lurv these hoops. I used to trash a set of XTR 517's every 6 months. I've been riding these suckers for over 3 years, racing most weekends and apart from a few scratches on the spokes they look like new. I've had a few problems with the freewheel unit, where the ceramic bush gets dry, rough and sticky, but regular stripping and relube has sorted it out. I weigh 165lbs and race cross country so I'm not that hard on components, even so, they've never needed truing, no wear, no chipping of ceramic absolutely nothing. I stick about 2 oz of slime in each tubeless tyre, mount it on the rim, and then dont even bother taking a pump, spare tube or anything. Awesome | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Looks, weight | | Weaknesses: | Durability | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh Special Products tinanium frame hardtail, Sid shocks, XTR | | Bottom Line: | Wheels came with the bike (bought 2nd hand) in 2000. Not ridden that much. Lasted fine until lately when rear developed a flat spot and rim starting rubbing on brake pad. On closer inspection saw that the spoke was pulling through cracked rim. Rebuild will cost £200! Whats the point if this an potentially happen again (judging by the other reviews this is not an isolated incident)?
Was happy with them prior to this catastrophic failure so gonna give three chillis. Never can out of true. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Irvine
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Read May22, 2000 review. I retired them for a while when I bought my Fuel with tubeless wheelset. | | Weaknesses: | I made a quick wheel change Sunday AM before a training ride (Whiting/Old Camp/Luge). I ripped a spoke nipple through the ferule and rim (rear) on the Luge. The wheel is ruined, not sure it is worth a rebuild as a tubed wheel.
The ceramic surface chipped, but not to loss of function. | | Similar Products Used: | Rolf Propel Tubeless, these had a compeltely different set of problems. | | Bike Setup: | An original Trek Fuel 100 with standard XTR and some carbon upgrades | | Bottom Line: | Oh well, I got about 3 hard years of use form the wheels, and loved every minute I rode them. Anybody know if Mavic will rebuild as tubeless? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Wa
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Swap | | Strengths: | Light, looks good | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Zed Team hardtail, manitou mars cl fork | | Bottom Line: | I read some other reviews about how these were weak but I rode the hell out of them in Moab and all I've noticed is a slight rub of the back wheel against my brake pads ( nothing a wheel true can't fix) i weigh 165 and they are still working fine, i am very satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Best
a Racer
from Lake Ann, MI
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North Country Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Super light. | | Weaknesses: | They have quite a bit of flex, due to the low number of spokes. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR-517's/Mavic Crosslinks | | Bike Setup: | K2 Zed Team, XTR everything, Crossmax wheels, Manitour Mars CL fork | | Bottom Line: | I love these wheels. I can tell that the roll better than any other wheel I've ever ridden. I got mine used after they had been raced on for a year, but they still work just like new. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GAVIN
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Grand Prix Cycles | | Strengths: | Very light weight,great looks,smooth bearings,ceramic coating provides good braking power....
| | Weaknesses: | Kinda expensive(I got mine at 35% off retail),but if ya want da best, be prepared to pay $$$...Aluminium spokes and ultra light weight rims are too flexible during cornering,rims gets out of true easily,ceramic surface causes lots of brake squeal using standard Avid pads(may try other pads)... | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic X221's on Formula hubs,Shimano WH-M535. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Giant ATX Team hardtail with lots of goodies, 9.8kg | | Bottom Line: | Its a good wheelset for light off road duties. Not recommended for downhilling,heavy XC or stunts. Heavy riders should be mindful that its a lightweight racing wheelset, therefore have to compromise on strength and durability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a
from colorado
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | They are really really light | | Weaknesses: | I have broken two of them. I broke my second one after one ride! I have also heard that the hubs sieze. | | Similar Products Used: | campy o.r. | | Bike Setup: | yo eddy fat chance | | Bottom Line: | I am actually embarrassed that I spent so much money on such a crappy set of wheels. For $600 less I could have a wheelset that is a hell of a lot stronger and not too much heavier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
todd
a Cross Country Rider
from boston
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Light! | | Weaknesses: | Extremely weak rims. Eyelest pull through rims. Hubs freeze. Customer service blows. This wheelset sucks for the money! | | Similar Products Used: | SUP, Cane Creek, Sun Rhyno | | Bike Setup: | Merlin XLM | | Bottom Line: | These wheels suck, that is the bottom line. For the money I would expect that these rims would be strong and come with impeccable customer service. Oh was I wrong. I will never buy another mavic product again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Elton
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Quantocks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | they are light, and look good! | | Weaknesses: | they are not made properly! see below | | Similar Products Used: | mavics, sun, xt, etc.... | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed tellico, xtr, syncros, pace etc.... a nice bike! | | Bottom Line: | well, today, after a quick ride out on some local trails, got home, wash the bovine excrement from my bike and generally got it ready for race in a few weeks time, only to find 3 spoke pulling out on the rear rim, quite bad cracking around the eyelets!!! i've never jumped, dropped or tacoed these wheels in any way what so ever, probably only covered 150 mile with them.... this should just not happen period, i've never had this before, read my review of mavic 230's!!! at this price it really is disgusting, also the front hub doesn't sound too hot either!!!!
This is mavics flagship wheel, and i feel cheated!!! i don't have a garantee, because they are 'second hand' but the previous owner never used the bike, and the rims where as new when i got them.... so, i'm not as gutted as i would have been if i'd spent 250 uk pounds on the back wheel alone!
The bootom line is,these wheels look great, are light, but unless your minted and can afford a couple of sets, don't waste your money, get some components, and get some wheels made up, they won't have to be sent to france to be fixed at a cost that will make you puke!!!!
do yourself a favour, give them a miss, pimpy, but pants! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wasted Bean, the
a Cross Country Rider
from Downingtown, PA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jim Thorpe | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Downingtown Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Really great wheels until they break. | | Weaknesses: | The eyelet design and Mavic's customer support. | | Similar Products Used: | You name it, Deore, XT, XTR, Spinergy (I've been around a long time) | | Bike Setup: | 95 Litespeed Obed with an old Indy fork, and a Sram drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | These wheels are super light, super fast, but most unfortunately, Mavic's customer relations and support stinks. When an eyelet fell out of the inside of the rim and it cracked,(I don't know how this happened, I've never seen anything like it before), I had to go through a dealer to get in touch with Mavic's support. After all of that effort was spent, they said it was one month out of warranty, and they would not do a thing. I only weigh 160lbs, and this wheel was never jumped, slammed, or crashed, but Mavic didn't want to hear it.
All I can say is, it's your money, but I'm looking to buy American next time. At least in this country, I can usually get in touch with customer support myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Kiara | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Bike Pro Centre | | Strengths: | Strong and Light. Ceramic coated rims perform well in the wet, making rim brakes adequate for most cross-country applications. Claimed weight is 650g fr and 850g rr. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive. Non-standard parts (26 and 28 hole rim, straight pull spokes) can be difficult to replace. | | Bike Setup: | XTR cogs and derailleurs, XC Pro and Deore thumbshifters, Syncros crankarms with Shimano rings, Dura Ace chain, Time ATAC, Syncros post, Flite Alpes, Seven frame with BTCs | | Bottom Line: | This was the first "system" wheelset, utilising nonstandard parts and specifications: 26 spoke front wheel, 28 spoke rear, straight pull spokes with radial lacing on the front wheel and non-drive side on the rear wheel, and cross-3 on the rear drive side. The rim is ceramic coated. Front hub runs on 2 sealed cartridge bearings, rear hub has 4 cartridge bearings. Freehub has 2 pawls that engage in 11.25 degrees (or 32 detents per revolution). Complete disassembly requires just 2 5mm allen wrenches.
The wheel is strong and light. They've withstood severe cross-country abuse and have held up well for such a light wheelset. My front wheel taco'ed on my first off-road ride with the wheels when I hit a tree head-on. The replacement rim has lasted 5 years, and is still true without any maintenance. The rear wheel lasted until last year without maintenance, when I struck the square edge of a kerb with low pressure in the tyres. The resultant dent caused a spoke to come loose, but the wheel was still true. Then the bearings went south.
I have since rebuilt the rear wheel with 2 new bearings for the hub body. The freehub bearings cannot be replaced without special tools. The straight pull spoke design makes the wheel difficult to build because the spokes tend to spin in the hub rather than tightening up when the nipple is screwed. I used a vice grip lined with old inner tube to clamp the spoke in place until sufficient tension is created in the spokes to hold it in place in the hub. The hub design also requires you to disassemble the axle to insert the non-drive spokes.
The replacement rim was very true, requiring little adjustment to build up to a very straight wheel.
Overall the wheels have lasted well. The ceramic coating is excellent in the wet. The hard rim surface also resists wear much better than the silver rims that I've used, which generally require replacement after about 2 years.
If I were to buy a wheelset today would instead use a non-system wheelset (eg CK hubs, DT revolutions and ceramic coated rims) purely because parts would be more readily available and the wheel would be easier to rebuild. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Kalter
a Cross Country Rider
from Norwalk, CT
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Private | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Dealer | | Strengths: | Strong, light, ceramic coating, good customer service, easy hub adjustment | | Weaknesses: | ceramic chips, slowwww customer service, hub loosens occasionally | | Similar Products Used: | Many | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Supercaliber OCLV with gripshift and lx, xt, xtr mix with original Quadra 21R. | | Bottom Line: | Great wheelset. I have never had to true them. Ceramic coating really helps braking until hard riding chips it off and the brakes grab on the chips.
After 3 years of hard riding my rear hub self destructed. Mavic rebuilt my wheel with a new rim, spokes, and most of the hub parts for $74. Luckily I had a backup wheel because they took their time.
I recommend anything from Mavic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Kalter
a Cross Country Rider
from Norwalk, CT
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Private | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Dealer | | Strengths: | Strong, light, ceramic coating, good customer service, easy hub adjustment | | Weaknesses: | ceramic chips, slowwww customer service, hub loosens occasionally | | Similar Products Used: | Many | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Supercaliber OCLV with gripshift and lx, xt, xtr mix with original Quadra 21R. | | Bottom Line: | Great wheelset. I have never had to true them. Ceramic coating really helps braking until hard riding chips it off and the brakes grab on the chips.
After 3 years of hard riding my rear hub self destructed. Mavic rebuilt my wheel with a new rim, spokes, and most of the hub parts for $74. Luckily I had a backup wheel because they took their time.
I recommend anything from Mavic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steven trottier
a Racer
from lewisville n.c usa
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | hobby park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | paceline | | Strengths: | vry lite and the tubeless is awesome i have a hardtail and it almost makes it feel like a softtail w/ out the weight.!!!! | | Weaknesses: | skewers are a little heavy but the rim itself is very lite | | Similar Products Used: | cross roc and cross ride | | Bike Setup: | supercaliber full xtr sid king thompson monkey lite 21 pounds! | | Bottom Line: | i really love my tubeless rims. they r so lite and look so sweet! i should have gotten them b4 i did beacause thy improved my riding soo much cause you can ride them at soo low pressure that you don't really feel the ground. no slippin when you fly into the tight turns you don't have to slow down and that can really catch you up in races! i realy love them! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob rupprecht
a Racer
from aiken,sc,usa
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | lbc | | Strengths: | smooooth,cool looks some what wider and gives tire a wider foot print | | Weaknesses: | rear wheel split around spoke nipples on very smooth trail | | Similar Products Used: | too many to list xtr/217 hugi/valiant white/sun | | Bike Setup: | litespeed ocoee,z1 bomber,esp9.0&xtr,racefacecanks&stem monkey lite bar, thompson post | | Bottom Line: | well.... i thought this was a great set of wheels, but after a very easy ride the rear started to crack around the eyelets. this set should not have done this! i have ridden for over 10 years and never had a wheel fail as this did. i haven't contacted mavic as of yet, so i'll have to wait and see. this set might be for sale | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rei nic
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tai Hang | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$385.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle World | | Strengths: | Looks. Build quality. So light. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic Crossride | | Bike Setup: | Porsche | | Bottom Line: | I was very lucky to get one of the last pairs of the non-UST Crossmax in HK. I've set them up with Conti Twister Pro's, 12-34 XTR cassette and ceramic pads on XTR V-brakes. In terms or ride, I wasn't expecting much of a difference between these and my Crossmax but I was really surprised! The Crossmax are much more responsive on hills and my bike surges forward. The ceramic rims and pads reduce stopping distances by 50% when compared to the non-ceramic Crossride. There is slightly more flex in the Crossmax so I've increased pad clearance by 2mm. These are best wheels I've ever had. They seriously cool on my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | whitting ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro Bikes | | Strengths: | Overall great set of wheels. | | Weaknesses: | Front brake squeal :( | | Bike Setup: | Santa cruz " Heckler" full xtr Bomber front! | | Bottom Line: | Basically, just wondering if anyone else is having front brake squeal. I've tried everything from koolstop ceramic pads to different types of toe positions. I've had xt v-brakes to xtr and still have brake squeal :(. If anyone out there has any tips or advise to get this problem solved please e-mail me. I would appreciate it.
Thanks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Lang
a Cross Country Rider
from Asia
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | see preceeding post | | Weaknesses: | see preceeding post | | Bottom Line: | Well, sadly found one 'weakness' in this non-zicral, non ust xmax wheelset which I had never experienced with any of my other wheelsets (again, see my preceeding post for the list). Setup my wheels in the inadvisable way of Torrelli extra light presta tubes (no threaded valve) on the schrader version xmax wheelset mentioned above, and rode them through water just to see how much water the wheels would collect (with the other wheelsets with the same setup I got almost none). Sadly, I found that a LOT of water collects (believe it or not) not between the tube and the wheel, but between the rim and the original rim tape. And believe me it was a LOT. Like I said, this set up isn't axactly ideal and using schrader (ugh) tubes or threaded presta's (such as the Maxxis for example would enable me to cover the 'gap' remaining from the schrader valve hole. But it was surprising to me that water would collect there. Still like them though. ;-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Lang
a Cross Country Rider
from Asia
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Price (for the old non-zicral spoke non ust version). Weight. Strength (for xc). Damn smooth hubs. And yes, looks. | | Weaknesses: | Too early to tell. | | Similar Products Used: | CrossMax zicral spoke version non-ust disk and non disk. CrossMax ust version, Crosslinks non disk, Rolf Dolomites, 321's, 521's, Deemax's. | | Bottom Line: | Purchased these for US$300 from my lbs to replace my Crosslinks on one of my hardtails. Initially was worried about it's performance as it was my first non-zicral spoke version of the CrossMax. Darned happy I got it. Works identical to the zicral version and MUCH cheaper.
I'm 178pounds and the terrain in my area is irregular rocky technical trails. They so far seem to be as stiff and tough as the newer xmax's so I'm smiling.
If you can get them cheap, go for it.
PS. Thanks to Dan Q for the tips from the tech section. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguel G.-Doncel
a Cross Country Rider
from Hoyo de Manzanares, Spain
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Mirador and Silla del Diablo | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Overalll finish and performance.
Weight
| | Weaknesses: | Price. The black finish used in the product initially looks great, but after time, you realize that it would have been smart if the guys at Mavic had leave the natural silver tone.
The spoke protector on the cogs' side is too small if you decide to use large cassettes.
| | Similar Products Used: | WTB paradigm paired to Araya RM-700-Pro rims | | Bike Setup: | Yeti ARC ('98); Moots Stem, General Kinetics raised handlebar, Moots seatpost, wtb saddle, Shimano XT brakes and shifting, Cook Bothers E-2 Crankset, RaceFace Bottom bracket, Onza pedals, Chris King headset, RockSox SID fork | | Bottom Line: | The wheels are expensive, that's true. But you get the whole set alerady built and trued.
The ceramic sides on the rims forces the use of specific pads. Braking is the best one you can get in the world of cantilever, U or -V brakes.
My XMax have stayed true since I got them, and after more than 6000 km.
The bearings are easily serviceable (in spite they are sealed, I always like to service them once every 6 months, like I do the same with all bearings including the CK headset, which I only service once a year) and have not gave me any problems to date.
I can say that my wheels are abused, mainly due to the terrain and conditions of the area where I ride (I am not a heavy rider: 155 lb): very rocky, irregular, and mostly dry, making the terrain quite hard and loose, therefore quite technical. Dute to this, there are bits produced by stones mostly on the edges of rims and on spokes. This is ok: is a minor detail and always happens, but if color had been silver, the scratches and bits would be a lot more difficult to detect and the wheels would always look brand new. But I repeat that this is a minor aspect.
The product is excellent but when the price is more affordable it will deserve the 5 chilis.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ortega
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$690.00 | | Purchased At: | now defunct shop | | Strengths: | light, stiff, looks, reliable, | | Weaknesses: | I paid almost $700 for them back in '98 but you can get them pretty cheap (relative, of course) now. You have to buy special brake pads due to the ceramic side walls. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, Hugi (absolute crap--the rear hub broke twice), Suntour XC pro, Nuke Proof | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | The best wheels I've owned. I've raced on them a bunch of times; done long rides. I've seen them as cheap as $449 and you can probably get them cheaper. They're more than worth it at that price. These are not bomber wheels, though. If you have visions of Richie Schley or Steve Peat, forget it; you'll destroy them. For their intended purpose--cross country racing and riding--there's nothing better out there. They're still pricey but really worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Cross Country Rider
from Fresno, CA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Lightweight, good braking, high quality hubs, stealth looks. Price was excellent since UST has replaced these as the high end wheelset. I wouldn't have bought them at $700. I would have built some king/517 and saved $300. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | xtr/517 | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz SL with super x build kit and sid 100 fork | | Bottom Line: | I have completed 10 races so far on this wheelset without a problem. I also have done numerous "epic" rides. I don't do jumps or dropoffs or other extreme type riding. This is an xc/race wheelset and it has performed perfectly. I would like to mention that I am no lightweight at 180lbs so it is not like they are being babied.
I'm going to give a midline value rating because unless they can be obtained at $400 or less they are not worth the cost over a king/517 combo. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ANDREA
a Weekend Warrior
from BIELLA, ITALY
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | VERY LIGHT.
SUPER STRONG.
THE CERAMIC RIMS HELPS YOU BRAKE EASILY.
| | Weaknesses: | SOME DOTS ON THE CERAMIC RIMS DUE TO STONES BUT NOTHING SERIOUS.
THE SPOKES IN THE XSECTION OF THE REAR WHEEL ARE A LITTLE NOISY WHEN DIRTY.
VERY EXPENCIVE. | | Similar Products Used: | OTHER MAVIC RIMS, ARRAYA ETC. | | Bike Setup: | MOUNTAIN CYCLE SAN ANDREAS +ZOKE Z1 +XT + MAGURA RACE LINE ETC. | | Bottom Line: | AFTER 4 YEARS OF USE AND MORE THAN 5500 KM I FINALLY HAD A PROBLEM; THE REAR HUB DRAGS THE SHIMANO CASSET WHEN NOT PEDALING AND THIS COUSE CONTINUOUS LITTLE TRACTIONS TO THE CHAIN. IN OTHER WORDS I THINK THE HUB IS GONE!
IN DESPAITE OF THIS I'M VERY SATISFIED OF THE WHEEL SET. COMPARED TO OTHER RIMS THAT I'VE TRIED THEY ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO BEND AND THE CERAMIC PART MAKES YOU BRAKE FASTER. I'VE DONE EASY DOWNHILLS,JUMPS, LOTS OF ROCKY SINGLE TREK, AND I'M NOT EXACTLY A FEATHER. I HOPE MAVIC CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE I COULD BUY SO LIGHT AND PERFORMING.
THE MAVIC XMAX ARE ONE OF THE PRODUCTS CLOSER TO PERFECTION THAT I EVER TRIED. TRUST THEM!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hard Guy | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Moo's Cycle | | Strengths: | Light, Don't go out of true, amazing acceleration. | | Weaknesses: | Spokes break with abuse, bearings only last about 100 rides | | Similar Products Used: | XTR/Mavik, XT/Mavic | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hei Hei, White Bros AT-3 Fork, SRAM, Magura Wheel Brakes | | Bottom Line: | These are great wheels, the best I've ever ridden. The only weakness is the bearings, if you plan on riding these wheels every day then plan on replacing the sealed bearings once every 4-5 months, which is why racers that own crossmax wheels only use them on race day. Some shops will pull the bearings appart and attempet to clean them but they really aren't all that well sealed to begin with which is why they don't last. So if your down with a $40/yr/wheel bearing replacement these wheels will definately last a while and are worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonds, WA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes West | | Strengths: | Light! Fast! Well Built! Excellent Customer Support! | | Weaknesses: | None. If you can't afford the product, don't buy it. | | Similar Products Used: | Spinergy Spox & others | | Bottom Line: | The Crossmax wheelset is one of the great mountain bike products of all time. These baby's excellerate like a scalded dog, and stop better than any wheelset I or anyone I know has owned. I've run the legs off these thing for three years in the greasiest goop and steepest skree slopes in the Northwest and have never had the ceramic flake or so much as bent a spoke. Being the bumbling incompenant that I am, I've landed some drops that have dislodged kidneys, but the Crossmax survived unscathed. Finally had to replace a rear bearing after a recent trip to Moab. Mavic sent the new bearing, for free, in less than a week. I'm sorry these guys below had problems. These ar truely great wheels. It must be bad Kharma. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Racer
from IOWA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | light,strong,maint.free,looks cool | | Weaknesses: | NONE, THAT I'VE FOUND | | Similar Products Used: | BONT.RACE LIGHT | | Bike Setup: | suger 1 baby! NEXT LP CRANKS,747S,CHRIS KING HEADSET,CROSSMAX WHEELSET | | Bottom Line: | THESE WHEELS ARE COSTLY BUT TALKING FROM EXPERINCE I'VE RACED ON THESE WHEELS FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND ONLY TRUED THE REAR ONE TIME LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF LOSE SPOKE. AND I HAVE REALLY ABUSED THEM RACING. GRANITE I'M LIGHT WEIGHT (150LBS) AND RIDE FULL-SUSP. DON'T GET ME WRONG THERE IS IS ALOT OF NICE WHEELS OUT THERE. BUT I'VE USED AND ABUSED THESE. THEY ROCK FOR ME. HAPPY TRAILS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joules
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any single track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light weight particularly under acceleration, excellent finish | | Weaknesses: | Rear wheel flexes under power, front break pulses at slow speed | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic X221 rims on XT hubs | | Bike Setup: | Scott Endorphin | | Bottom Line: |
When on the front granny ring I've been noticing some rubbing of the rear brake. Afer some balancing of the brake arms I discovered that on the pedal down stroke the torque off the granny gear is enough to flex the rear axle and slightly skew the wheel relative to the frame, resulting in brake blocks rubbing the rim. If I try to balance the entire cycling stroke it's not so bad, but still happens. Spokes have good tension and skewer is very tight.
At slow speed braking the front brake pulses, shimano ceramic blocks fitted. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
aaron cook
a Cross Country Rider
from waipahu,hi,usa
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | millilani,mango | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | buddy | | Strengths: | light, stiff, cornering acceleration is awesome | | Weaknesses: | spoke availibility | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 517/xt hub | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V, XT cranks, xt drivetrain, CT2 seatpost and bars, Crossmax wheelset | | Bottom Line: | bit pricey, was skeptical to drop the big dime on these wheels, but first ride on them made me a believer, they are very stiff and can handle the abuse of an 180 pounder on ssome very rough technical trails in Hawaii. i bought them from a buddy with minimal time on them, ceramic sidewall is in very good condition. Overall very pleased with purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Visconti
a Cross Country Rider
from Massapequa Park, NY
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Point, NY | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Junkie, Bethpage, NY | | Strengths: | Light, fast & mean looking set of wheels. | | Weaknesses: | Valve grommets go bye-bye if you look at the wheels cross-eyed. Not as durable as a top-of-the-line wheelset ought to be. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 217s | | Bike Setup: | Klein Pulse Pro (built from the frame up, with SRAM 9.0, XTR, Raceface cranks, Syncros seatpost, Marzocchi Z.2 BAM
Uzzi Intense built with SRAM 7.0, XTR, Avid V-brakes, Hayes front disk, LP Seatpost & Bars, Fox Vanilla shock, Marzocchi Z.1
Ventana El Fuego built with SRAM 9.0, Raceface cranks, XTR, Avid V-brakes, Thomson seatpost, Raceface Composite Bar | | Bottom Line: | First, these wheels are probably the lightest, fastest and meanest looking available as a pre-built wheelset. On all 3 bikes I own, they’ve taken about as much abuse and hammering as a set of wheels can take (without crashing then into things).
Yes, they do flex a bit (or maybe its my forks?) and if you are unlucky enough to land a big jump at an extreme angle with a lot of force, you will tweak the wheel.
I average approx. 130 miles each week of fast, tight, smooth to rooted singletrack, with some obstacles (logs, dirt berms and out tree stump holes). When the weather’s bad (and the trails are too sloppy) I hit the road on the same wheels. Again, hammering the straights and the corners.
For the most part, the wheels perform as advertised. They are light & fast, though not as durable as I feel a top-of-the-line wheelset should be. Have had spokes pulled out of the rims (the areas surrounding the nipples were deformed) with cracking along the left and right sides of the eyelets.
This has occurred 2 times each on all three of my rear CrossMax wheels. Yes I ride a lot. And I do like to push the bike (and myself) to the limits, jumping logs, running through heavily rooted sections and carving very aggressive lines through tight, twisted singletrack. Even still, I was disappointed by how often I walk into the shop with yet another spent wheel.
To Mavic’s credit, the first round of fixes were “on the house”. But with the second round or returns, I haven’t been so fortunate. $200.00 for each (completely new) wheel they sent back in return for my smoking hulk, isn’t bad for a wheel that originally cost up to $400.00 is a fair deal, but I wish I wouldn’t go through them as quickly as I do.
Having said all this, I haven’t seen another set of pre-builts that compares (though people swear by the RaceLites). The ceramic rims are quiet and stop quickly even in the dampest, soupiest conditions. My brake pads have been wearing like iron. The hubs have been virtually trouble-free. And aside from wearing away the ceramic surface at spots of the oldest (& most used front wheel of the bunch) I haven’t experienced any chipping of the ceramic surface.
Even with Mavic’s argument that they are light-weight, cross country wheels, I don’t see that as a supporting argument for the rim problems I’ve been experiencing. Unless the wheels are designed specifically at those weekend warriors who ride 10 - 15 gentle cross country miles a week, never bunny hopping an obstacle or backing their bike into a corner.
I won’t buy a different set of (mountain bike) wheels (until a better choice comes along) but if your interested in these wheels and feel you share a similar riding style, then be forewarned. Crossmax’s are an expensive addiction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derick Rousseau
a Racer
from Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | whatever's rideable on a given day | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike shop in Canada | | Strengths: | These wheels are light and perform well in terrain that is not too rough. For the most part, they handle well. | | Weaknesses: | Read the story below. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | True North custom Reynolds 853, with mostly XTR, Superfly, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Be afraid, be very afraid.
The CrossMax Crunch.
Here's the story
Of a guy named Derick
Who decided to go out for an easy ride.
And so he went to one of his favourite trails,
Just north of where he lives.
Along with 3 buddies,
He was riding a fun and very smooth trail
When all of a sudden he flew high in the air.
And landed ass-over-tea kettle,
a few feet from his True North.
Now, Derick was most perplexed
By this most unusual fall
As there were no roots, rocks or ruts to be seen around.
And upon scraping himself off the ground,
he looked at his fallen steed.
He was very surprised to see that his front CrossMax
Had spontaneously and catastrophically cracked in 3 spots,
and had totally taco-ed and wedged itself in his fork
Thereby sending Derick over the handlebars!
The CrossMax Crunch, the CrossMax Crunch, this is the story of the CrossssssMax Crunnnnnnch.
There you have it folks, my front CrossMax bit the dust and taco-ed on an easy, smooth trail.
The moral of the story - if you buy race wheels, use them for mostly racing and be gentle with them. This is essentially what I did and the damned rim still self-destructed.
Here's this CrossMax wheelset's history:
Summer 1998: I bought this wheelset. Within a couple of months, the ceramic surface of both rims started to crack off. Hmmmm, I thought. Top of the line wheels that are starting to break down already. Not good - boos all around for Mavic. Oh well, I lived on with these imperfect-looking, yet functionally fine wheels.
Fall 1999: I started to hear some noises from the rear hub. So, I contact OGC in Canada (Mavic's Canadian distributor) and mention the rear hub issue. They ask that I send in my rear wheel for a hub overhaul. Four days, it is back in my possession, and much to my surprise, I also have a new rim! Mavic fixed the rear hub free of charge and also replaced the rim free of charge, even if it is past the 1-year warranty. This was likely due to the ceramic coating peeling off - hooray for Mavic!
Summer/Fall 2000: It's the tale of catastrophically-failing front wheel, as sang above. I again contact OGC and mention that my front rim spontaneously failed in 3 spots. I mention to them that this should not happen on a top of the line rim, even if it is a light, racing rim. They ask that I send it in. A while later, I have my front wheel back, and it cost me $125 + shipping. Boohoo for Mavic :(
Here's my beef: I would have hoped that Mavic would have replaced my rim free-of-charge. Granted, this wheel was two years old, yet it had stayed true this whole time. I did use it alot, but never did I abuse it. It had lots of ceramic chips in it. I also think that a rim that is well-maintained should not disintegrate like this one did. I would have hoped that Mavic would have recognized the error of its ways. Obviously, they did not. Mavic has now lost a potential customer of future Mavic parts. I will also ensure that as many people as I know STAY AWAY from Mavic products.
Regards,
Derick | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Incredible lightness of being!
Noticeably fast acceleration possibilities.
So far, trouble free | | Weaknesses: | My wheels cost more than my friend's bicycles....so they look at me kinda funny. | | Similar Products Used: | I forget | | Bike Setup: | Sworks FSR, Conti explorer pros, XTR everything, CT2 bars | | Bottom Line: | Trouble free for me since I bought them. I ride smoothly, fast, and have given them enough punishment to be able to honestly say they are well built.
(I can't believe the guy who went off the curb, landed with his wheel sideways, and then writes a review 'dis'-ing these wheels! Whaddya expect----doh!)
However, the price! Sheeeeesh! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tore Beinnes
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Strong, looks great, large braking surface, light(where it counts, meaning low turning momentum). | | Weaknesses: | Has to be sent back to Mavic if you have to change spokes. The surface of the ceramic coating is very sensitive to brake pads. If you don't find the right ones, you'll have a problem getting the brakes to work properly. Works great with Magura ceramic pads. Not with XTR ceramic. In fact regular XTR pads are better, but not ideal. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 517/XTR, 221/LX, Crossmax disc | | Bike Setup: | Heckler, Z1 X-fly, Crossmax disc, Hutcinson Python air light, Shimano discs, Raceface post/stem, Protaper bars, XTR drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | The other Norwegian guy must have been very unfortunate with his wheelset. Mine held up to all kinds of abuse for 3 years before I sold them to a buddy, and they're still going strong! I'm 200 lbs, and they were on a hardtail most of the time, still they only had to be trued once during those years. The hubs also served me fine. Maybe not as strong and lasting as Kings, but I never had any problems. Who can live with that insane sound from the King hubs anyway? The ceramic coating has started to chip of a bit, but it's almost nothing. Not bad concidering they've been used in very rocky terrain most of the time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pal Kristoffer Sorvoll
a Cross Country Rider
from Asker, Norway
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Birkebeinerrittet | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Sykkeldelisk, Norway | | Strengths: | It is light and fast. I have not broken any spokes even though I am 205 lb. However, this wheels is not worth the money. After six months started the ceramic coating to fall of and after one year is it not possible to use the back-wheel at all due to a 15-20 cm long crack in the rim (on the breaking surface). This was the reason why the ceramic coating started to fall of. And now the whole wheel is falling apart!! DO NOT BUY THIS CRAP. | | Weaknesses: | Excellent product if you want to buy new wheels every year. | | Similar Products Used: | Spinergy Spox. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F 1000. | | Bottom Line: | Wheels should last more than one year with normal use, specially at this price. Do not bye it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pan
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, LA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | -low rotational weight (personally, the most important factor in lightweight wheels)
-light
-quiet, superbly-designed, easily-rebuildable hubs
-strong rims, never had a major wobble
-ceramic sidewalls | | Weaknesses: | -sidewalls tend to chip with hard use (but not catastophically so)
-some flex under upright hammering
-only 2 pawls in the rear hub, activated by miniscule springs
-broken spokes are not readily replaceable | | Similar Products Used: | xt on mavic 517's, white industries on mavic 517's | | Bike Setup: | '00 fsr xc m4, race face, xtr, crossmax | | Bottom Line: | im a fairly large mountain biker @ 6' 2" and 185lbs originally from the southern pa area and can attest to these wheels durability. i dont hesitate to jump or do minor trials-related stunts on them. dont forget they accelerate awesomely, too.
ive had this wheelset, and only this wheelset, for over 3 years with only 1 problem. i sent them both back about 2 years ago to have them replace a part of my back axle which had broken and my rims due to the chipped ceramic getting a little too noticeable. i had totally new wheels back in my care in under 3 weeks (thats what they sent back, a brand new set, completely under warranty). they had redesigned the particular axle piece (the short steel piece on the cogset side) that had broken and to date ive had no axle problems whatsoever. i do have a few sidewall chips, but on the rear only. never had a spoke break, never had any hub or bearing problems.
i love the fact that the hubs are so damn easy to rebuild. it takes only a simple plastic tool included with the wheels for bearing adjustment, and 2 5mm allen wrenches to totally disassemble the hubs, front or rear. everything that could be exposed to water or mud is protected by at least 1 0-ring.
finally, one word of advice - when rebuilding the rear hub, avoid packing a ton of thick grease into the rear hub freewheel body, as the grease will work under the pawls and cause terrible sticking, resulting in "freespinnin' action in the forward direction." ive found that answer prep m grease works the best for me or a small amount of pedros synthetic grease spread over the pawl spines only. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Western Australia
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Ambassador Cycles | | Strengths: | Light, fast. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 19" Giant frame. Magura HS33 brakes(excellent). | | Bottom Line: | These wheels are very light and fast. I also find the wheels to be very comfortable to ride on because they
help absorb shock. They have good power transfer and they
keep very true.
The ceramic does chip a little after a lot of use but it is still a much better braking surface than normal metal.
These wheels are only intended for cross country use and if respected as such would last very well. As for those who
winge in their reviews about the little things like a few
ceramic chips, or a little creaking or flex, or the extra
pocket money they lost by buying a set of these high performance wheels, I reckon these wheels are the best
on the market.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PhD
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, PA USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Brady's Run & Kennerdell | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Trueness retention.
Braking ability.
Low maintenance hubs.
| | Weaknesses: | Some flex.
| | Similar Products Used: | Riding buddy's 517's w Chris King's. | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose DX 10.9, full XTR, SID XC. | | Bottom Line: | My previous 3-month review indicated my dissapointment in not being able to obtain missing valve grommets as delivered from the vendor. Mavic subsequently contacted me directly and indicated that all I had to do was ask them! Good job Mavic -- it renewed my faith in obtaining future service, which appears that I won't need much.
These have been outstanding wheels. The ceramic braking surface has remained in almost original condition after 500+ miles -- just one chip from rock riding that is no problem. Braking in mud and wet using XTR ceramic pads continues to be amazing -- only a hint of squealing two or three times which cleaning took care of. I am on the original set of pads, and they now just need to be replaced. These wheels have remained true even after some solid hits (try avoiding the rocks at Kennerdell!) with no spoke loosening at all. The Force Transfer hubs have required no maintenance -- just a one time initial bearing adjustment.
Overall, a great wheel system. As far as value, they come close to matching anything at the high end in performance. Maybe even more so for reliability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Bentley
a Cross Country Rider
from Gloucestershire, UK
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bredon Hill / Forest of Dean | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LeisureLakes, Cheltenham | | Strengths: | Look lush, rotating mass so small, you really can feel the lightness on the move, minimal wear to rims and pads (make sure you use ceramic pads). A great tyre to add to the sprint factor you get with these wheels is the Tioga Semislick. | | Weaknesses: | I can't complain - I do lots of miles, I weight 180 lbs, and I wrote one wheel of on very rocky terrain. You can get a rebuild using new rims - I tild them to use the original spokes to save some cash .... the rebuilt wheel only lasted 6 months, so I think I made a false economy. Use new spokes next time! | | Bike Setup: | XcR1000, full XTR, Raceface stem post and riser bars, Tioga semislicks. The XCR is a bit heavy, but spec'ed with the Crossmaxs, it feels lively! | | Bottom Line: | If you are a DH orientated XC rider, in to 'big air' and so on - these ain't for you. If you rider smoothly, and make a line round stuff not through it, these wheels will last for ages. Once you have ridden Crossmaxs, its a drag to go back to conventional wheels. Try to get a bike with them already spec'ed - I bought a 98 GT LTS XCR1000 - they were included!
Big bucks - the best XC product. You pays your money - you takes your choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ariel
a Weekend Warrior
from Stockholm, Sweden
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hellasgården 11km out of Stockholm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, nice looks, smooth hubs. | | Weaknesses: | Ceramic chips very easily, after my second ride in the woods the cermic coating started to chip of.
Not strong enough for heavy, aggressive riders.
(The skewers are heavy) They aren't built for every day use, they didn't even last for three days. (First day: pavement (they stayed true!), second and third day: trails, (the ceramic cracked and I hade to true the rear wheel)
Expensive.
| | Similar Products Used: | XT/x517CD, XT/x618CD Hope Bulb/x517CD,
LX/x517 and so on... | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Mojo, XT/XTR, SID SL-00, Mavic Crossmax, Easton CT2 handlebars, Thomson seatpost, Avid 50's, X-Lite skewers, Time A.T.A.C.
The sweet steelbike only weigh 10,1kg (22,27lbs)! | | Bottom Line: | They accelerate like a dream. The wheelset follow the track in the curves nicely and let you lean more to the ground.
The durablity isn't good, the ceramic coating easily chips of. Don't buy these pair of (S.x.x.T) wheels if you are a heavy rider like me (160lbs). If you're light they are a great buy for competing ONLY...
2 Chilis because they actually did stay true after my first ride on pavement...! (Ironic...) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dakota Shauan
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | OAK GROOVE | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Super light, super strong, looks. ALWAYS stay trued. Braking walls... | | Weaknesses: | Number one I agree is the Price. I have had 2 sets, but I've never paid full price. The straight pull spokes are nice, but if you break one is back to Mavic to get it replaced! So that means about 6 weeks without your wheel! Yikes! | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic X222 with XT, King with X517 Ceramic. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed, Owl Hollow, full XTR Mega 9, SID Race, King head, RaceFace Cranks and rings, Titec Ti 118 bar, WorldClass Ti b/b, Panaracer Fire Pro XC, USE XCR Seatpost, blah, blah, blah... | | Bottom Line: | These have been my favorite wheels ever. But, if will never get rid of my KINGS on my 517s. I can service those all by myself, and if I break a spoke I can replace that right on the trail! But if you have the money, save it and buy them new on this site!! And really what are the wheel bags good for? BUy it if you are a racer or just plain rich, for get it if it's only going to sit in the garage.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | moose packers/ cox ridge/ anything challenging | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durability, light weight and quality finish. Great cool factor | | Weaknesses: | Price Price Price !!! I could do without the Gucci carry bags if they would drop the price a few hundred bucks ! | | Similar Products Used: | Always had a set of custom wheels built. Wheels are where I spend most of my money when building a new ride. | | Bike Setup: | Oryx True Temper Gold frameset, Marzocchi Z2 Atom 80, Raceface bars, post and stem, full XTR 8 speed ( 12/32ti )except for the Coda Expert 2X crankset.Panaracer Mach SS Semi slicks. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not exactly sure what everyone is complaining about? These wheels have been nothing but fantastic for the past 3 years. I'm a 180 lbs ex-roadie that grinds big gears up most climbs and have honestly not experianced any flaws in this wheels set.
In the past few years they have been trued twice..once after a crash which put a nice wow in the back wheel. After it was trued it never gave me a problem since. The hubs have been nothing but trouble free also. Maybe I'm lucky and got a good set ??
As far as the finish goes ..I believe they have stood up perfectly. You have to expect these wheels to get some chips and gouges after riding rocky terrain. The finish stands up just as good as any other wheel set on the market.
The only draw-back is the price. I really blieve they are not worth the big bucks you have to pay. I wish companies would relize that we are not all sponsored team riders that have the grand luxury of changing wheels sets after ever race. Overall they are a great wheels.... but I would not spend the cash for another set. Next time I'll custom build a lighter and stronger set for alot less money.
P.S. The brake pads that work the best with my V Brakes and the ceramic braking surface are "KoolStop regulars" not the ceramic type. Just give them some time to seat properly.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light, cool looking | | Weaknesses: | expensive, dedicated system | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 238 rims, shimano hubs | | Bike Setup: | moots yyb, manitou carbon sx, xtr and raceface | | Bottom Line: | These wheels worked well for about a year and a half. Then the rear hub developed a creaking noise. The LBS called mavic who told them to retension the wheel. They did and I rode in silence for about three miles before it returned. I regret now purchasing these wheels because the bike shop says they need to be sent back to mavic to be repaired but it's the height of the season. I'll probably just ride with the creak and save money for hand built rear that will match the front well enough but won't be a dedicated system. If you're thinking about buying these or any other dedicated system where you can't just replace the parts as they go bad, don't do it! The weight savings aren't that great over a nicely built and cheaper wheel. This is the only thing that I hung on my custom bike that I would do differently if I had the chance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkshire,UK
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light, Looks great, has stayed true through thick and thin for 12 months, bearings firm despite regular jet washes | | Weaknesses: | A few chips to the ceramic, nothing terrible | | Similar Products Used: | Other Mavic rims 517?? | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight (Stealth bomber!) | | Bottom Line: | I was wary of these having read the reivews - and got them cut price from a mate in the Trade - but they're the only wheels I've ridden for 12 months solid without the slightest trouble or need for truing | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Schilling
a Cross Country Rider
from Costa Mesa CA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Stairsteps | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light | | Weaknesses: | Ceramic chips very easily.
Not strong enough for heavy, aggressive riders.
Terrible customer service-they do not back up their products
Very Expensive
| | Similar Products Used: | 517, etc | | Bike Setup: | LTS DS 1000 | | Bottom Line: | I had many chips within 1 month of riding
Broken spokes
Out of true easily
Spokes pulled out of eyelets
Buy from another company until they back up their products with quality customer service.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gear Head
a Cross Country Rider
from Dayton, Ohio
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Caesar's Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, killer looks, stops on a dime... | | Weaknesses: | Flex, $$$$PRICE$$$$ | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 517, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | 99 Mt Fuji all XTR, 99SID, Wicked cool wheelset... | | Bottom Line: | I used this wheelset because they came on the bike... I rode them for awhile (see my first post below) and beat the hell out of them. One day I was spinning my wheels with a friend and somehow launched myself over the handlebars (if your not hitting the ground then your not riding hard enough) and cracked the front rim in 4 places. Taco city. I beat the wheel against a rock to straighten it out and it got me through 10 miles of woods back to the car. I rode the damaged wheel harder than my buddy with a golden bike. I called my LBS and they get a replacement rim and relaced it for 100.00... Kinda pricy but well worth the $$ if you ride alot.
I would only consider replacing this wheelset with a set of Dave's Custom's or mabe the 517 ceramic with Chris King hubs... Probably won't happen any time soon :) I give the wheels 3 flaming piles for value since they are pricy to rebuild and 5 big ones for overall since they do what Mavic promised... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Falk
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dorthmore | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | light weight, great braking surface, suprising durability | | Weaknesses: | price is heart stopping | | Similar Products Used: | Various wheels built standard 3-cross, DB, alloy nipples, Mavic, WTB, on Shimano and Machine Tech | | Bike Setup: | 2 years on Fat Chance hardtails, 1 year on Marin XC dual | | Bottom Line: | I am 145 pound gentle rider who likes long climbs, fast rolling single track, and hero descents. I always try to ride fast yet SMOOTHLY to protect my wimpy, chronically injured thumbs. I am also a Barnett trained mechanic and former bike shop owner/operator.
My Crossmax wheels really never required a true, though I couldn't quite believe it, and kinda touched 'em up a bit about a year ago.
Rear hub is easy to partially disassemble (bearing replacement probably requires bearing press bushings). I find that both the two piece axle and alloy adjustment "cone" loosen over time. Both benefit from mild Locktite.
Front hub stays snug all by itself. Both hubs are sealed adequately. I have not replaced the cartridge bearings.
Wonderful acceleration due to light weight, but some flex is discernable in rear. Very nice front wheel steering precision despite a touch of flex; better than a light front wheel built with 32 DT Revolution spokes. Superior braking power and feel with many types of brakes and pads including Scott-Mathouser (sp?), XTR regular, Koolstop regular, and especially Koolstop ceramic.
Over three years of use, first on a Fat Chance Buck Shaver, then a Fat Chance Ti Fat, and now a Marin Mount Vision Pro. Thousands of miles of commuting on steep, bumpy Pittsburgh streets, hundreds of hours of Western PA singletrack in all its slimy glory have left the ceramic coatings somwhat polished, hub internals burnished bright with wear, and most of the spokes nicked by stones... the spokes have faded to a near rootbeer color, and the stickers are wrinkled on their rims. I would never have guessed nearly four years ago that these miraculously under-spoked, race-only, king's ransom wheels would still be running trouble free in 2000. Crossmax wheels are spectacular, fast, and fun to ride. I would buy them again, or at least build up some ceramic Mavic rims if the budget requires.
I caution those who break things... do you really want to break wheels that cost approximately what three (3) pairs of XT/517s cost for small gains in acceleration, top speed (fewer spokes, less wind drag), and braking? If you regularily break spokes, snake bite, ding rims, rip knobs off tires, or jump and land crooked, look for cheaper wheels to ride/break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Novato, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pine Mtn Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | ????? | | Weaknesses: | I have had these babies for 4 months when two nipples on the rear wheel pulled through the rim. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Race | | Bike Setup: | Klein Mantra Race | | Bottom Line: | If you ever have to have them trued, you might as well throw them away, because the nipples will pull through shortly after. For the money, buy something else. The Botrager Race did the same thing? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Reynolds
a Racer
from Incline Village
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | beaver | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | super light | | Weaknesses: | fragile | | Similar Products Used: | cross ride by Mavic | | Bike Setup: | M2, with XTR | | Bottom Line: | I got these wheels for an incredibly low price (about 300 bucks) and was having my shop true them, I think their "professional" work led to a spoke pulling through.
Mavic charged me 160 dollars for a complete rebuild with new everything, minus the hub. (not bad for a 400$ wheel)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Lynn, Ma. USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light wheelset | | Weaknesses: | Extremely fragile. I am a 54 year old cross-country rider that weighs about 160 lbs. I am not a crazy downhiller. I've had these wheels for about 1 year and while riding in Moab the nipple pulled thru the rim. This happened to my buddy a year earlier. Prior to that his ratchet mechanism on the hub broke. Warranty is very spotty. Takes a year and a day to get the wheel returned cause I was told they take care of the European market first(French company)then the USA. They refused to warranty my wheel cause I ride it too hard. Hey I'm 54 and 160 lbs--how hard can I ride? They told me that the wheel is marketed as a cross-country racing wheel and should only be used for racing and not on rough off-road terrain. This is a quote from John in customer service and Bob in warranty dept of Mavic USA. Since when do we have to worry about which trails to ride when you're spending $799 a wheelset. Now I have to fork over another $160 for them to replace the rim. An example of being veritably caught between a rock and a hard place. | | Similar Products Used: | Cane Creek Deep V Ti. Wonderful bombproof wheels with great warranty service for the life of the wheel. Couldn't deal with nicer folks! | | Bike Setup: | Ibis Bow-Ti; XTR | | Bottom Line: | I would never buy another Mavic product again. The warranty and customer service people are smug and very unhelpful. For me there are lots of choices out there and the French can keep their fancy wheels that self destruct when the going gets rough. It's buy AMERICAN from here on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | First, I bought my wheels from Jenson for $ 499 plus tax, and I will evaluate them on that value. I would not have forked over $ 800 for them, but at $ 500, they are an excellent value.
The virtues of these wheels are:1) they are *light*, and 2) the braking is *incredible*. The control on steep single track is like nothing I imagined before riding these wheels. Beyond that, they have remained true and maintenance-free for me with about 18 months of use. | | Weaknesses: | 1). There is one very small chip in the ceramic coating of the front wheel.
2). The rims literally eat the brake pads. I use Ritchie red pads (NOT ceramic specific), and I replace pads in 3 to 6 months. I carry an old set of pads in my water pack, just in case a pad wears down, I don't want the metal to scrape the ceramic coating. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic Crosslink, XT/Mavic wheels | | Bike Setup: | Light weight aluminum hardtail, XT | | Bottom Line: | I weigh 180 lbs, and regularly ride 3000' vertical rides in the Santa Ana mountains. I don't push any extremes, but I do use my bike at least weekly and pretty hard. These wheels have held up just fine. I was concerned about the chip in the front, but my guess is that in another year or so I will either send them back for a rebuild, or buy something new and retire the wheelset to the road or another bike.
The brake control is what makes them really wonderful. I'm sold on ceramic, even in Southern California where it is almost always dry. I have not had the kind of problems that some of the reviewers have had, and I am no light weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Racer
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Weak, ceramic chips off quickly, rear hub problems | | Similar Products Used: | Spox, Hugi, XTR | | Bike Setup: | Moots YBB | | Bottom Line: | These wheels are very expensive and are not worth the money. I had a set that had a rear hub blowout. I received a free replacement. The replacement would not stay trued. I weigh 150 pounds and am very easy on wheels.
I finally pulled a nipple through the rim from having to true the wheel on the trail so many times so that my brakes would not rub.
Also, the ceramic chips very easily and quickly.
These are good if you can afford to replace them every season. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Lai
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Earth | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Very light, smooth, stiff, ceramic rims and looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot be rebuilt myself. | | Similar Products Used: | Cross Max Disc | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail with SID Race, XTR and a lot of energy | | Bottom Line: | This is a very good wheelset for light people as me (130lbs). they're very light and smooth, and tough enough for serious XC riding. I use them for more than 18 months and get tuned once only. Just be careful don't use Shimano XTR Ceramic brake pads because they will polish the ceramic walls and decrease braking power. Get 'KoolStop' and your rims will last longer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PHD
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, PA USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Brady's Run & Beaver Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight.
Superior braking. | | Weaknesses: | Inconsistent build quality (flex)?
Potential repair/maintenance problems.
| | Bike Setup: | Mongoose DX 10.9, SID XC, full XTR. | | Bottom Line: | Although the relative light weight is a plus, the real surprise has been the stopping capability of the ceramic rims in conjunction with XTR ceramic-specific pads. I can't imagine it could be any better unless one goes with discs. Even under muddy and wet conditions, they maintain their stopping power providing steady performance under all conditions. There has been negligible fade under sustained downhill braking with no brake squeal at any time which has been a real pleasure. The wheels have stayed true, even after occasional hard hits and log hopping. There has been no discernable wear or chipping of the ceramic rim coating, and the wear on the XTR pads has been acceptable -- after 6 months of wet winter riding, they are only now ready to be replaced. The hubs did need slight tightening (especially the rear) after 3 months. Time will tell how the hubs hold up to moisture and mud.
As an ultimate endorsement after riding these for 3 months, I purchased a 2nd set for quick tire changes. However, I have noticed a slight rear brake rub due to flex under hard climbing on the 2nd set, something which I did not experience on the 1st set. Perhaps this is due to build variability which may explain why some riders are experiencing flex while others are not. The flex is slightly annoying, but nothing more than that for now.
The 2nd set arrived missing the valve-stem rim grommets --the wheels handle both Schraeder and presta tubes. I was informed by the mail-order seller that obtaining small parts from Mavic is problematic. That sounds worrisome from a future service standpoint especially when the hubs need serviced or spokes replaced -- something that many LBS's may not be willing or able to handle. The seller's techs told me that I could run prestas without the grommets(!) -- but cut valve stems appeared to be a certainty. I secured suitable sized grommets from a machine shop. It was a dissapointing situation for such high-end wheels.
After these difficulties, I re-evaluated my choice. Overall, the braking capability and light weight of these wheels are possibly worth it; however, future maintenance and repair turn-around time and cost are now a concern as to their overall value versus other wheels with more common hubs that are serviceable by most LBS's. I'll know in a year or so, hopefully not sooner.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Flexy | | Similar Products Used: | Crosslands,,,XTR\517 | | Bike Setup: | All XTR Ti frame | | Bottom Line: | I would never buy them if they did not come with the bike. Not for 700 anyway. The wheels are too flexy. When your sprinting on the bike you can here them flexing by the way the rims scrape brake shoes. However for how flexy they are they seem quite strong. I have not beant them yet but I have only ridden them about a half dozen times so far. I have had Crosslands for the past 2 years and they were great.I actully feel more comfortable on the crosslands cause they are not as flexy and seem stronger.
NOT WORTHE 700 bucks...350 tops. 4 flamers for lightness 2 for flexyness and fragilness and expense. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gearhead
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Caesar's Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | As light as a fart in the wind! I knew the first minute on these wheels that I had entered a new arena. | | Weaknesses: | $$$. As my pop always said, you get what you pay for. If these weren't on the bike when I bought it I never would have shelled out the money knowing how tough I am on rims... | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing like this... | | Bike Setup: | Fuji Suncrest, all XTR, SID CC front... | | Bottom Line: | Go ahead and pull out the check book. These wheels are worth the expense. I ride CC and have not had any probs with them. They stop like RIGHT NOW. It took some getting used to but now I stop on a dime. They play well in mud and water (because of the ceramic). I get alot of comments on the trail about these wheels. Deservedly so. They fly. I do notice a little flex but that is acceptable due to my riding style. If your reading this to base a judgement on wheather or not to purchase them, then take this testimony to heart. I love these babys. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Saratoga, CA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Lightness, cool colors and hub
| | Weaknesses: | way too much flex on the front
scraps the front brake pads when riding | | Similar Products Used: | dave's speed dream-excellent worth the money | | Bike Setup: | dean oscar, xt-xtr, sx carbon, dave's speed dream | | Bottom Line: | save your money for something else
i crashed the rear one way too easily | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Davis Jones
a Racer
from Beverly Hills
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | very light and stiff. handles well and gives you good control | | Weaknesses: | i haven't really found any | | Bike Setup: | specialized stumpjumper pro | | Bottom Line: | these wheels are great. when i first put them on, i could tell right away that they were good rims. i wouldn't recomend them for anything but cross country though. if you free ride or down hill, the rims might bend. they don't seem that rigid, but for cross country, 5 chilis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C. D.
a Racer
from Roanoke,Va
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | light , strong ,stiff everything a crosscountry racer or rider can ever dream off | | Weaknesses: | The price ! look for special offers in the net now ! | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic X517 Ceramic+XTR 99 +DT Revolution spockes +alloy nipples | | Bike Setup: | Klein Mantra Pro '99, XTR comp. , Thompsen post ,Selle Flite Ti.,Kenda Cosmik lite , all in all under 24 pounds | | Bottom Line: | This is one of the best wheelsets on the market and it is just not fair that it gets such a low rating only because one guy crashed it . I know more than 20 people that have theirs for more than a year and don't even have a scrach on it . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steven
a Cross Country Rider
from hoeilaart, belgium
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | light, fast, black, | | Weaknesses: | none, as you use them for cc | | Similar Products Used: | spinnergy (too stiff and heavier) | | Bike Setup: | upgraded | | Bottom Line: | there just fine for me, I ride cc only, sometimes fast down a hill but no freeriding
some people had problems with the ceramic sides, but I found only a very, very little hole in the ceramic layer, so I don't worry,
also you have to be more carefull, they are lighter and therefor more fragile, you can't have it all !!!
and they are beautifull without being to eye-catching
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dimitris Lavernarakis
a Racer
from Heraklio
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very Strong ,Very light ,Proffesionally designed | | Weaknesses: | Very thin rims (I don't trust them for very difficult conditions (Shoks)). | | Bottom Line: | When I first ride them I felt that they're something different than all the others. But the thing that I don't trust is that they have very thin rims which makes them weak at axial loads. So you just have to be carreful with them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hunn
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | One of the lightest wheelset around.
Hubs spins well | | Weaknesses: | Cannot take much impact | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 217(XT hubs),Sun CR18(XT hubs),Velocity Cliffhangers(tested),Mavic D521(tested). | | Bike Setup: | Orange Evo2,Marzocchi Atom Bomb 98,XT drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | I was riding off a kerb about 3 inch high at about 20-25 kmh, then I landed akwardly with my front wheel 45 degrees off my centre. The front tyre(IRC Mythos)sreeched and I endoed over my handlebar onto the pathment.
Yes, it was my mistake that I landed poorly and was upset that I had damaged my front rims. A closer examination reveals a four point fracture on the rims twisting the spokes badly.The cracks extanded almost round the entire cross-section of the rim surface and I could see the nipple treads.
It was amazing that the amount of damage that was on the wheel, and that I am still alive!!
I love Mavic wheels, but after this, I think I'd think twice about any other mavic products.
PS: This happened about 4 hours before I posted this message. My elbow is still bleeding... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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