Submitted by
skippy
a Cross Country Rider
from burlington Date Reviewed: July 3, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
rock solid look spiffy decent price
Weaknesses:
heavy
Similar Products Used:
stock stumpy M4 wheelset sun rims XT hub wheelset
Bike Setup:
specialized epic
Bottom Line:
Really solid wheelset - I've been riding these for 2 years now and I haven't had to true them yet. Had these wheels on my hardtail, moved 'em over to my epic. Not the lightest, but the price/performance combination is really good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor Komma
a Racer
from Tokyo Date Reviewed: August 24, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mostly city riding these days
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$270.00
Purchased At:
Yoshida Cycle
Strengths:
Strength, durability and stays true no matter what.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy but once rolling, the inertia makes a positive difference.
Similar Products Used:
Standard high-end hand-built wheels- ringle / middleburn / XTR hubs / Mavic rim combos
Bike Setup:
GT Zaskar LE frame set up for urban assault, 1.00 X 26 slicks, XT / XTR mix
Bottom Line:
Three years back I gave a thumbs-up review of this wheelset a few months after I put them in service and I'm here to tell you that more than three years on and over 25,000 kms later that they are so good, I went out and bought another set brand new. Basically they stay true despite the hard knocks of urban commuting, only needed to true them ONCE and that was after the initial run-in period, not as harsh as hand built wheels, very well built despite being 16 spokes. Great hoops for urban commuting and the general cross-country riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
roehl
a Cross Country Rider
from paranaque, metro manila, philippines Date Reviewed: April 5, 2004
Favorite Trail:
anywhere as long its outside the city
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
ordered
Strengths:
it pedals really light and it looks cool
Weaknesses:
none that i could think of except for its weight but who cares i'm a strong guy
Similar Products Used:
lx/mavic
Bike Setup:
gt hardtail, xtr's, xt disc brakes
Bottom Line:
if you're into long journeys, this wheelsets are a must. don,t let its flimsy looks fool you, they're strong. i intend to keep this wheels forever and if i have the money right now i'd buy another set or maybe its younger brother, 765's for my other bike
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Liquid Chaos
a Racer
from Toronto Date Reviewed: October 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Albion Hills, Ontario, Canada
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Freewheel cycle
Strengths:
Super strong, and rigid. Low rolling resistance, accelerate like a PORSCHE. Look very cool.
Weaknesses:
a Little heavy, but you can really beat them up and they stay true.
Similar Products Used:
XT hubs with 517's
Bike Setup:
Scandium hand built BRODIE spark, xtr shifters, derailers, crank, egg beater ti, Easton carbon post and bars, king headset, selle italia TT. Super fast cross country hardatil, Hayes Comp Hydraulic disc brakes, blah, blah, blah.
Bottom Line:
These wheels are strong. If you have ever had problems before with bending/warping wheels, these puppies take a beating and never need truing. I raced 12 races this year in sport, and put over 3000km (1800 mi)and they are as straight now as the day i got 'em. I will buy the 965's when i upgrade, i'm sold on the fewer spoke setup. These wheels came stock on my bike, and i'm happy they did.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Philip
a Cross Country Rider
from Vilvoorde, Belgium Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong. Nice design. Stiff.
Weaknesses:
Nog the lightest on earth but weight is OK.
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Instinct custom, Marzo Marathon, Hope Mini disc, XT, Race Face components.
Bottom Line:
I have used this wheelset for 11 months now for XC riding. They are really strong and rigid for so few spokes. The hubs are very well shielded against dirt and water. My bicycle dealer sells them a lot and uptil now, no customer has had any problem with them! Of course, these are XC wheels, not freeride!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Heiko
a Cross Country Rider
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: October 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Werenbach
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Look
Weaknesses:
-The axle of the front hub is too small. I first used them with my V-brakes, they worked great! Then I upgraded to XT discs. Amazing breaking power, but the front hub flexed heavy in my SID XC. so, it seems that the standard 9mm axle is too small to manage the power of the discs! The hub changed the position in the dropouts after hard braking, and then the disc touched the pads :-( maybe it's due to the combination of an ultralight fork and the wheel! -they're a bit too heavy!
Similar Products Used:
Chris King ISO, Nuke Proof, Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
AN6 hardtail, SID XC, King Nothreadset, Thomson stem+post, XT
Bottom Line:
This wheelset is well suited if your bike is hanging more in your garage then pushing over the trails! The less-spoke design works great, and the look is awesome. Remember: Ringle has invented the superbubba front suspension hub about 10 years ago, with a bigger axle... I wouldn't use them with discs any more!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sting
a Cross Country Rider
from Box Hill, VIC, Australia Date Reviewed: October 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Merri Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
CycleWorks Box Hill
Strengths:
Great looks and can take a real beating. Dual V / Disc option makes upgrades a breeze. Very smooth when in motion.
Weaknesses:
Slightly heavy but only really notice it when lifting the bike. Non cartridge bearings. Need to be drilled out for non-Presta valves.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 221 built wheelsets.
Bike Setup:
GT LTS 1 upgraded to full XTR.
Bottom Line:
I was looking for a very strong wheelset, irrespective of weight. These where much better than I expected. Very strong and smooth. All doubts vanished once ridden. Great on tarmac as they are smooth and aerodynamic. Great on the track as they are strong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Oliver Whalley
a Cross Country Rider
from Nelson, New Zealand Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002
KHS alite 4000 frame, full XT, Magura Marta hydraulic discs
Bottom Line:
Kick ass value in a wheel that turns out lighter than a standard XT hub/spoke/mavic combination. Have been invaluable in would recommend to anyone who is looking for an unbelieveable value wheel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002
Counterweight for valve stem, braking surfaces for v brakes, minor difficulty in finding long stems.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Disc
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500, Hayes Hyd. Disc Brakes
Bottom Line:
These have been an awesome upgrade compared to my stock Bontrager disc wheels. Very stiff for improved acceleration. Low rolling resistance due to 16 spokes. Cool appearance. The hubs are dead true with 0 offset and 0 slop. Also, my slightly out of true discs were suddenly perfectly straight after mounting on these hubs. They could be lighter but at 185lbs I'll take the extra durability. The valve stem counterweight makes no sense because even with long stems it overcompensates by a large degree. Also standard 35mm stems will work although they are more difficult to use. I wish Shimano would have ditched the dual use idea on these wheels. Perhaps that's why they have discontinued them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Floyd Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from London Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Box Hill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$361.00
Purchased At:
Halfords
Strengths:
Looks, Stiff but with a degree of damping, disc & v-brake compatibility
Weaknesses:
Presta valve only, you may not be able to fit a cycle computer to a bike with these wheels due to the unconventional spokes (flat) & weight
Similar Products Used:
None - previously used Mavic wheelsets
Bike Setup:
2001 Stumpjumper Pro M4, Boxxer Z3.5 & XT Groupset
Bottom Line:
Not sure how well these wheels could take a big drop off but as I don't do drop offs - this is not a problem. They are stiff and do not flex as much as you would expect. On the street they accelerate rapidly and just about anyone who is into bicycles will comment on the looks.
Coolest looking general purpose wheels apart from Cane Creek's WAM disc and half the price too. Get the disc version if your bike has suitable mounts and you can still use V's until you 'upgrade'. The weight of the wheels has made my lightweight Stumpjumper slightly heavier when you lift it but the way these wheels roll offsets this limitation. Had problems setting up a rear Shimano XT V-brake with these wheels as they have fairly narrow section rims and the non car type valve opening in the rim limits your inner tube choice especially as you need to find tubes with a long valve. If the price were not so steep and the weight so noticeable, this wheelset would get full marks from me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lewis Loh
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia/Singapore Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
none
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Shimano Staff Sale
Strengths:
Looks!!! Keeps inertia and accelerates well. Full fledge 2.1 knobbies felt like semi slicks on gravel and slicks on tarmac!!!!
Weaknesses:
Weight, they're a tad bit heavy though.Also, special tools needed for truing (not that it hasn't got out of true)
Similar Products Used:
No other wheelsets as fancy dancy or as expensive, just normal 32 spoke heavy araya or taiwan rims so far
Bike Setup:
Small small 13inch frame Full Deore SPD M-515 pedals Manitou Spyder 99 Front WTB Raptor or Kenda semi slicks Rear Panaracer Smoke or Trailblaster
Bottom Line:
I noticed the rims hobbled a bit when I spun them without mounting tyres on. Felt a bit puzzled. I eventually realised why. Coz after I mounted the tyres, the hobble was that the end Opposite the valve had a sort of ballast that balanced the weight of the valve. SUPERB!!!!!
Did some drop offs around perth metropolitan area. Hopped up a flight of steps along Westpac bank building. They felt rigid and had quite a fair bit of shock absorbing properties. Didn't flex as much as I'd expect from a wheels with so few spokes. Blasted down King's Park in perth and recorded a maximum speed of 63km/h! Orgasmic feeling when u can keep that speed for quite a length of time.
the wheels are attention grabbing. Hubs are smooth and it really accelerates and keeps its speed very well.
Another thing I've felt, probably this is a personal opinion. I felt faster riding with less tyre pressure on knobbies than higher. Not sure why, probably personal preference. Felt less tiring running around 30+ psi than 50+.
On slicks they're simply awesome!!!!! Maintained 35km/h on gears 44F 11R VERY VERY easily!! Managed to trail some racers along Matilda Bay near my unieversity, and they were clocking 40+ km/h, they were pretty amazed as well.
Felt quite previliged to own this pair of wheels, they were obtained by a source in Shimano Singapore during a factory sale. Got it at an obscene price... too obscene to post... really dirt cheap. If the price was lower in retail, would've probably gotten it.
Those who have the money, got get any of the shimano wheels, They're fantastic. But seriously, I'd prioritise getting a reasonably good front fork and spd pedals first then consider buying these set of beauties.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, MA Date Reviewed: March 13, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At:
www.Cambriabike.com
Strengths:
Strong for XC, looks good.
Weaknesses:
Don't jump too high with these wheels; the rims may not stay circular when you land.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic CrossRide
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper, XTR and XT
Bottom Line:
The best $330.00 I've spent on bike components. These wheels rock! They're little heavy, but well worth it. If you care how nice your bike looks, get these wheels. I don't think Shimano makes anymore, but you still can get replaceable components from it's big brother WH-M959.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CHUCK "GATORMAN" COOK
a Racer
from NASHVILLE,TN.U.S.A. Date Reviewed: February 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
LOCK-4.& HAMILTON CREEK
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$329.00
Purchased At:
CAMBRIABIKE.COM
Strengths:
VERY FAST,COOL LOOKIN,STRONG
Weaknesses:
A LITTLE HEAVY,BUT WORTH IT.
Similar Products Used:
NONE.MAVIC,BONTRAGER.
Bike Setup:
MARIN PINE-MT.XT ALL THE WAY,BONTRAGER RACE LIGHT STEM,PROFILE CARBON FLAT BARS,SELLA ITAILA FLITE TI GEL,THOMSON SEAT POST,ROCK SHOX SID,SHIMANO 959 PEDALS,AVID DISC BRAKES,AVID FLAK JACKET CABELS,SHIMANO M-575 WHEELSET ON HUTCHINSON GOLD TIRES.
Bottom Line:
THESE RIMS ARE AWESOME.THEY ARE VERY COOL LOOKIN AND THEY WILL TURN SOME HEADS.PLUS THEY ARE A VERY FAST RIM.TWISE AS FAST AS MY OLD MAVIC'S.THEY ARE A LITTLE HEAVY,BUT NOT AS BAD AS YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE FOR ONLY 16 SPOKES.IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN I WOULD DO IT IN A HEART BEAT.SHIMANO HAS THERE ACT TOGATHER ON THIS PRODUCT.GO OUT AND GET YOU A SET.YOU WON'T BE SORRY.
5 FLAMIN CHILI'S FOR SHIMANO
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jimmy
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Very strong, smooth, takes the sting out of the bumps, nicely machined braking surface, very easy to clean because of the lack of spokes, and, of course, excellent aesthetics.
Weaknesses:
Maybe a tad heavy. (Had to write something, but this is of no concern to me.)
Similar Products Used:
Mavic
Bike Setup:
Lots of good stuff.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that I have absolutely no regrets buying them. If these broke, I'd buy another pair in an instant. Even if they were more expensive. For the price that you pay, you get an excellent, good looking set of wheels.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
busty hall
a Racer
from utah Date Reviewed: October 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
saltlake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
very smooth during uphill and the tom cruise of the wellset arena.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
deemax,dolomite
Bike Setup:
xc fullrace
Bottom Line:
this wellset is very well made exept. for the wt factor but if you want added speed and head turning good looks buy this wellset. its a sure ting.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jojo deleon
a Weekend Warrior
from kobe japan Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001
this wellset is very strong and extrimly cool when it comes to looks! its better than a rolf. exept the wt. this product is the best. and also disc ready. shimano again comes up of another cool product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor Komma
a Racer
from Tokyo, Japan (Aussie transplant) Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Blue Mountains fire trails NSW
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Mr. Charley
Strengths:
Increadibly strong and rigid but with damping qualities. Spins faster than conventional wheels due to low number of spokes and bladed design. Value is outstanding.
Weaknesses:
The XT grade freewheel is garbage, engagement problems from day 1, will have to replace with XTR. A bit heavy but makes up in strength.
Similar Products Used:
Standard high end wheelsets, Ringle, Middleburn hubs, Mavic 217 and 517 rims
Bike Setup:
Urban assault weapon, GT Zaskar LE frame, XTR group, Logic rigid fork, built for speed, acceleration in an urban environment on 1.00 slicks
Bottom Line:
Very impressed with the performance, I will never go back to conventional 32 spoke wheelsets, zero vibration, acceleration,increadible handling with the reponsiveness of the Zaskar frame. Have not run it on single track yet, only sealed roads. Good to have the disc brake / V-brake option with the machined rims. Next year I'm going for the disc only version M979. If it not for that buggy freewheel, I'd go 5 for rating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aryan Hadisumarto
a Cross Country Rider
from Jakarta, Indonesia Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
GT, KHS
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
PD MINI, Roxy, Jkt
Strengths:
Looking good with only 16 spokes, very smooth and strong.
Weaknesses:
Came without skewer..so i have to bought a pair of skewers.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic crossmax.........but it heavier than WH-575........
Bottom Line:
Beside its look good its ride very smooth. I used it with Hutchinson Top Slick Gold 26 X 1,20 and they both work very well in on road........
$
Overall Rating:
