Submitted by
forjness
a Racer
from Denver, CO Date Reviewed: September 22, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Buff Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$829.00
Strengths:
These wheels are super lightweight and are perfect for racing, competitive XC riding, and XC riding in general. I was most impressed with the quality of the hubs as they are buttery smooth. These are nicer than any other stock XC hub out there in my opinion. I like Ksyriums, but these wheels roll faster than Mavics--hands down.
Weaknesses:
The tubeless aspect is like using a Stans rim or something like it. You have to use rim tape. This means that you have to replace the rim-tape every once in a while (if you are changing tires often and mess up the tape). But, this helps to make the wheels stinkin light, so is that really a weakness??
Similar Products Used:
Many Mavics/Stans/Roval/DT Swiss/
Bike Setup:
Lots of bikes
Bottom Line:
This is a top-notch wheelset, and I am very impressed with them. After hammering on these wheels for a season, they required little maintenance. The DT swiss insides of hubs are as nice as it gets for ride quality. These wheels roll longer and faster than almost anything out there (I suppose a DT 190 ceramic bearing would top--but not by much). Stiffness was no issue for me on this set. The spoke design was plenty stiff when accelerating. I am 150 lbs and I beat the crap out of these wheels. These are freakin sweet. If you are a heavier rider, you should check out the Traversee wheel as they may add a little more beefiness and versatility for other ride styles (different axle configurations). Get these wheels if you like going fast and want super light wheels!!
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Submitted by
fredjjjj
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: August 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Obsession Bikes
Strengths:
Extremely lightweight.
Weaknesses:
Front wheel (8+16 spokes asymmetric) not strong enough for
hard x-country. Difficult to true.
Similar Products Used:
Mavic 717, 819, Roval Traversee, 2008 XTR.
Bike Setup:
2008 Specialized S-Works Epic and 2008 Specialized S-Works
Stumpjumper. Both have Roval Controle as stock wheelset.
Bottom Line:
Rear wheel (12+12 spokes) seems ok, but the front
wheel with asymmetric spokes is too weak, flexy, and difficult to true. It's ok for light cross country (Epic), but I had to replace with XTR on the Stumpjumper and am
also using the same on the Epic for rugged x-country trails.
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Submitted by
A-Hol
a Racer
from Orcutt, CA Date Reviewed: June 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$640.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Scary light
Weaknesses:
Scary light, rather expensive new ($830 MRSP)
Similar Products Used:
FSA XC-300
Bike Setup:
Epic Marathon
Bottom Line:
Fantastic wheelset for racing (DT hubs prove quality build). I am a little disappointed I could not get Specialized 2Bliss tires to seal w/just the blue tape and sealant (like Specialized claim they would). Rear Captain tire kept burping. Decided not to get UST tires.
Ended up running Stans Olympic strips and Kenda SB8s on the rear and Nevegals on the front. Finally got them to seal and they are holding air fine.
We'll see how they hold up to racing and my 190 lbs. I've got my trusty FSA's ready to go if there's a problem.
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Submitted by
Sammy Rutherford
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden,CO Date Reviewed: January 20, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Buffalo Creek/Colorado Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Super light 1400 grams! Quick handling. Ceramic bearings in front hub.
Weaknesses:
Tend to be a bit flexy; especially with heavier riders. Heavier/Aggresive riders may find them hard to stay in true.
Specialized S-Works Carbon Epic 08' Full OEM except the Wheelset & Tires; Switched to Mavic CrossMax SL with Continental Mountain King tires.
Bottom Line:
A nice super light wheelset to race on; especially if you're under 150lbs. Otherwise, you'd come out better in the long run stepping up to a stronger more stable wheelset like Mavic CrossMax SL. That's what I did.
$
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