Tabulate this. Three cavities. A twin-rib roll cage design. Custom built by Weinman. Yup. It adds up to 45% more torsional stiffness than any double-cavity rim in the world.
And stronger means lighter. Our 400g superlight XLR is lighter, stronger and faster than any so-called high-performance twin-cavity rim.
Submitted by
Dirk
a Racer
from Hohensyburg, NRW, Germany Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Dolomites
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
0
Strengths:
light, no weaknesses
Weaknesses:
-
Similar Products Used:
Campa K2 / XTR ; Mavic Ceramic / XTR
Bike Setup:
GT Zaskar LE/ XTR / Syncros
Bottom Line:
My sponsor had an nos pair of syncros rims, he build it up with white brothers titanium hubs. I have used them at 3 XC-races, and had no problems at all. I don't know why so many people have problems with this rims, I don't have any kind of problems even though I weight 75 kg, and I think I´m a powerful raider (I'm a not so bad track sprinter).
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Submitted by
Nick Griffiths
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: October 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$184.00
Purchased At:
Kendells Cycles Castleford
Strengths:
Looked ok in the shop
Weaknesses:
performance, quality etc
Similar Products Used:
mavic 217/517/crossride
Bike Setup:
GT Zaskar xt hubs, dt db spokes
Bottom Line:
Extreme front wheel judder under braking renders it almost useless. I too thought it was the RS fork which was worn, & replaced it with a new marzocchi. Problem still as bad as ever. Now run the wheel on a fully rigid bike with project 2 forks. Judder problem persisted. The only way I could improve it was to sand the braking surface smooth with finishing paper under the brake blocks to remove the peaks & troughs. this has helped & made the front wheel just about useable. Do not buy wheels with syncros rims.
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Submitted by
Doug Payauys
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbus, OH, USA Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Snowshoe, WV
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Lightweight.
Looks cool.
Weaknesses:
Strength - Rim split at the seam while inflating. Even after working in a bike shop for 6 years, I've never seen anything like it.
True - Hard to keep this rim straight.
Braking surface - Very rough, eats pads and holds brake pad material on the rim. Flecks of aluminum imbed into the brake pads and score the rim.
Similar Products Used:
Sun CR-18 Mavic (many types)
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Hiawase
Bottom Line:
I can't believe after reading all the rim failure reviews on this site that Syncros has not issued a recall. It is quite clear to me that Syncros does not stand behind their products and certainly doesn't spend much time with engineering / R&D if this is the best they can produce.
DON'T BUY THIS RIM. I attempted to contact Syncros about the problem buy they did not respond to my inquiry about a replacement or my offer to send them the rim to look at. Sooner or later, someone is going to get seriously injured as a result of this inferior product.
HERE'S THE PROOF: http://www.mindspring.com/~ydouglas/syncros/
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Submitted by
MAT MULLEN
a Cross Country Rider
from SHEFFIELD IN UNITED KINGDOM Date Reviewed: March 15, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
QUITE LIGHT & RESONABLY PRICED
Weaknesses:
VERY BENDABLE
Similar Products Used:
MAVIC 217
Bike Setup:
HARDTAIL
Bottom Line:
THIS RIM WAS A DIRECT REPLACEMENT FOR MY MAVIC 217 WHICH SPLIT COS IT WORE OUT. IT WAS REBUILT ONTO THE ORIGINAL 97 PARRALAX SHIMANO XT HUB. IT HAS GONE OUT OF TRUE A FEW TIMES MORE THAN THE MAVIC 217. BUT AFTER READING SOME OF THE REVIEW POSTED I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT THIS RIM IS CACK (THATS BRITISH FOR RUBBISH). THIS IS THE ONLY RIM THAT I HAVE MANAGED TO DENT NOT ONCE, TWICE BUT I MUST BE IN DOUBLE FIGURES. OK, I COULD BEND IT BACK BUT THATS NOT THE POINT. TO BE FAIR IT HAS WORN OK BUT I HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 600+ MILES ON IT. SO I WOULDNT BUY ANOTHER, BACK TO MAVIC I SUPPOSE.
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross-Country Rider
from Waterloo, ON Date Reviewed: November 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the hydrocut
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
These rims look great on paper
Weaknesses:
I have the rim vibration problem described by others, I tried different types of brakes, and replaced the bushings in my forks before realizing that the problem was in the rims the whole time. The variation in rim width was subtle enough to go undetected while building, but it really shakes the front end of the bike when braking moderately, or on loose descents.
Similar Products Used:
I liked my MAVIC 217 on the rear, and I had a BCX 1 up front, both were great for the light rider that I am (217 may have even been overkill)
Bike Setup:
I built the front 2-cross, and ran it on a long travel mag-21 (still a kick-ass fork!)
Bottom Line:
The vibrations when braking are an unacceptable manufacturing defect, but if they fix that problem, its been true, and stong enough for me (135lbs).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Boyd
a Cross-Country Rider
from New Brunswick , Canada Date Reviewed: October 13, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Backyard Noonan
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
lace up nice weight(if it matters}
Weaknesses:
too weak for aggressive or larger riders
Similar Products Used:
Mavic,Ritchey,others
Bike Setup:
Heckler,XTR,Bomber
Bottom Line:
I should have known better than to try to build a light set of wheels for myself since I weigh 200+ lbs after a toenail clipping.I destroted the rear rim in 3 rides.If you want a second set of wheels to put slicks on for road spinning than these work nice.Just don't take them past the rubarb patch.2 slightly used , smoldering tampons.
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Submitted by
BOB WOLF
a Cross-Country Rider
from OCEANSIDE,CA Date Reviewed: August 4, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
LIGHT WEIGHTDURABLE
Weaknesses:
QUALITY CONTROL?
Similar Products Used:
MAVICRITCHY
Bike Setup:
CANNONDALE M700 WITH SOFTRIDE SUSP STEM AND USE SUSP SEAT POST
Bottom Line:
BOUGHT A PAIR AND LACED THEM TO A SET OF WTB HUBS TO REPLACE A PAIR OF AGING MAVIC 230'S THAT HAD REACHED THE END OF THEIR LIFE SPAN. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT RIM AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF RIDING. IT DEVELOPED A GASH IN THE SIDE WALL. THIS HAPPEN WHILE I WAS STATIONED IN GUANTANAMO BAY , CUBA. THE TRAILS THERE ARE VERY ROCKY AND THE GASH OCCURED DURING A FAST DOWN HILL PORTION. SYCNCROS WAS QUICK TO SEND ME A NEW ONE. THEY SAID THEY HAD SOME QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEMS. I HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SINCE AND HAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES ON THEM. MY COMPUTER JUST CLICKED 8000. 5 STARS FOR THE ONES I GOT AND 4 STARS FOR THE QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEM.
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Submitted by
Danilo Souza
a Cross-Country Rider
from Brazil Date Reviewed: May 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anyone
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light rim, and looks good
Weaknesses:
the sidewall blew off...
Similar Products Used:
Mavic (way better)
Bike Setup:
KHS cromo HT
Bottom Line:
This is a beautiful rim, but it´s too weak. The sidewall is soft, and broke when I was at 10 mph, climbing in the city street. Sorry Syncros, I´ll go to mavic.
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Submitted by
Timur
a Racer
from Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: March 16, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
light weight and good looks
Weaknesses:
disappearing sidewalls the whole front end vibrates when braking
Similar Products Used:
Velocity Aeroheat
Bike Setup:
Cannondale hardtail with a Manitiou SXTi. Avid brakes w. Corratec pads.
Bottom Line:
I have expected the sidewalls to wear rather quickly. It is the vibrations that bug me. I built up the rims with CK hubs and have almost stoped using the front wheel because of the vibrations (I think it is bad for the fork). So now I'm using an alivio hub laced to a cheap rigida rim and the setup is working a million times better. When I get some money I'll look to replace the syncros rims with something else. They still make good seatposts and stems.
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Submitted by
jon myers
a racer
from portland, OR Date Reviewed: February 24, 1999
Bottom Line:
Terrible rim. I could not keep this thing true from the first day I had this rim. After about 1 year of constant truing of this rim, I destroyed it with a hard hit on a sharp rock. Replaced the rim with a Bontrager Maverick which has worked perfectly.
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Submitted by
BrodieLover
a cross-country rider
from Netherlands Date Reviewed: February 11, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have never ever seen such a poor product! I've been riding m'bikes for about 10 years, so I tried several makes and types of rims. I thought that every Syncros product was high quality......not! After less than3 months (with less then 500 KM ) the whole rim exploded together with the tube and tire! Guarentee...no of courese not. The only Syncros product I will still buy in the future are their seatposts. I was using quite a lot of components (rev' cranks,3 seatposts and one racestem).It's very sad that a company like Syncros sells products of this quality. A few years ago Syncros (also Rocky Mountain cycles) was a great company with almost bombproof parts. Last 2 years some idiot over there got the idea to make some new things, very cheap and poor quality QR's, an total ugley XTR-collored stem (Yuk,Yuk, Yuk), their new type of stem (I saw one with the bar on one side 10 cm higher then on the other side, so weak are they) and at last; the poorest rim ever produced.To tell all above in short;NEVER EVER BUY A SYNCROS RIM!!! THEY WEAR FASTER THEN ANYTHING ELSE.
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Submitted by
Damon Fealy
a cross-country rider
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: December 22, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've had these rims on for around 5 months now, and haven't had any problems. Perhaps I got an earlier product? Light with minimal truing required, and a joy to ride on. Set up with 14/15g Sapim spokes on XT Parallax hubs, hitting lots of logs and things....
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Submitted by
Duncan Maxwell
a cross-country rider
from Edmonton, Canada Date Reviewed: December 22, 1998
Bottom Line:
Okay, the scoop as I understand it is as follows. The rims break, The new rims break. But then again you can't even BUY the new rims in Canada. Trust me, I spent 4 months trying to get them and got no answer from the supplier to our bike shop as to why they were unavailable.Im running an XLT rear wheel, radial on non drive side and 3x on the drive...so far no problems, its been easy to bring back into true and generally a solid performer. Admittedly its not as bulletproof as my old Mavic MA-40, but at the same time at least I can get my damn tires on and off (Mavic MA-40 was quite possibly the skinniest rim I've ever laid eyes on....next to some Matrix ones). So, thus far theres been no problem with the XLT I have, although it is OLD...as in it was laying around the shop forever, and its also 36 hole.As to the new rims, Id say check with your shop as to when they got the rim. If it arrived recently don't buy it and suggest they contact the supplier of the rim or Syncros directly in regards to returning it. At this point I could only reccomend the old rims, and I think everyone else that has posted a review is in agreement. Buyer beware on these puppies. If you want a rim like this, buy the Mavic 517. If you cant afford that Buy a Bontrager Mustang or even a Matrix swami, both are about 30 bucks cheaper in Canada, and I havent had problems with either one (they're the same damn rim actually.....). Just be sure to get the one with Eyelets.So, in summary, old rims: 5 stars. one nice rim, and cheap too. New ones, see below, and for goodness sake DON'T buy them!
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Submitted by
Truly Canadian
a cross-country rider
from Montreal, Canada Date Reviewed: December 17, 1998
Bottom Line:
The first production from Weinmann was truly the best that Syncros has seen since. After this run, the quality control really sucked with rims that could simply not trued. The seams have always been average, a by-product of being a pinned rim. When they went to machined sidewalls, the rims just got worse with the awful variations is rim width causing the rim grabbing endo death. New production was supposed to come from Alesa in Belgium but now the word is that Alesa isn't interested in dealing with Syncros. One the bright side, I had a bundle of 14 of the original production and have built up a bunch of wheels that have lasted and lasted through the best and worst of conditions. I even rode one downhill tireless after flatting 3kms from the car and the rim is dead straight.
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Submitted by
Nutty
a racer
from Victoria, Australia Date Reviewed: November 9, 1998
Bottom Line:
The Syncros Altrax rim... Oooer.. it looked so sexy in the shop. All black and nice,.. and it matched my frame! Wow! On the bike it looked even better. I was so happy!! And it was *so* cool the way it only lasted four friggin months. I was surprised :( I have *NEVER* seen such a quality RIM from any *QUALITY* company blow apart *so* often. It's happened twice now - the rim blowing off the sidewall. It's gotta shit ya. The rim does wear evenly when you ride 10kms back up the hill minus a front tyre.
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Submitted by
J. Matthews
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa, Canada Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998
Bottom Line:
Sunday morning and there is a chill in the air. God I love this sport!As I begin to pump up my JONES to the recommended PSI there is a deafening explosion at my finger tips(5 months old)....The SYNCROS XLR lost a huge chunk of sidewall, tube is toast, and my buddies drop their jaws!!! I borrow a front wheel and begin what would have been an epic ride(if it had begun earlier).30 minutes into my ride I get to a grassy meadow before a fire road ascent, as I am coasting(honestly coasting) down a gentle grade there is an incedible blast from my rear wheel and a ferocious grinding sound....Rear rim blew(2 months old) in the same way. Sidewall is blown away and it killed my new tube and tire along the way. This SYNCROS XLR was replaced in late August because my original rim blew in the exact same way(3 months old). I can't believe how poorly these units are built and engineered, soft as butter sidewalls and a tendency to blow up before or during a ride. SYNCROS ruined alot of my Summer with substandard equipment. You wouldn't believe it unless it had happenned to you.....MAVICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
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Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from Oak Harbor, Washington Date Reviewed: September 26, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have two sets of XLR's one laced 3X on White hubs the other 3X on XT both sets have given extraordinary service. They are light, stay true and have survived pretty aggressive root, rock and mud riding for over a year. I will replace one rear this year with the new off center rear rim. These are good rims - my guess is those that have had major trouble should change their wheel builder. To S. Fung do the revolutions - I have, they are great.
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Submitted by
Mike
a cross-country rider
from Sydney Date Reviewed: September 15, 1998
Bottom Line:
I got this rim after toasting my Bontrager BCX on the front (I weigh 170lb). After a couple of months, it is still as good as new. It's pretty sexy too, with the black on top. I must have a rim from the good production, my sidewalls are fine, and this rim came highly recommended from my LBS. However, I wouldn't run it ont the rear. I think I'd have to go for an off centre rim or something beefier for the rear. But, because I ride with a bomber, and a riser, there's not too much force on the front rim. And this is where I recommend you use it.
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Submitted by
Carson
a cross-country rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: August 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
My first XLR rim blew-up as I was pumping my tire , the tube blew out. This caused the rim to split along the brake line .Bike shop comped tire under , laced up a second , serious rim dent on a rocky downhill . Both blown rims on rear of bike . Front tire still true after one year of beating the shit out of it .Now I have a X517 CD rear rim, XLR front . For twice the money you get twice the rim ! This is a renewed posting due to overating this rim initially. Spend your money on Mavic if you can , or spend it more often on Syncros when's it going to blow . Ofcourse if you don't ride rocks, roots, logs and frogs then this may be the rim for you .But you can see the braking surface wearing after any mudhole crossings followed by fast twisty desents and drops . Given my luck with the front I'll keep the rating out of the gutter, but seeing how I do like my rims to be a pair I have to lower my earlier posting
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Submitted by
J
a cross-country rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: August 24, 1998
Bottom Line:
Built Syncros XLT wheelset last season and had no complaints until 2 weeks ago when I was riding up a gravel road with 4 buddies. As I began to settle into a seated climb there was a deafening exposion from beneath my seat, The tire was intact but the rim had lost 9 inches of it's sidewall!! It blew out sheared in a 90 degree chunk at both ends like it had been cut with cutters. The wheel showed no signs of age and had no dents or damage prior to the explosion. Weird. Any one else experience a SYNCROS explosion? Let me know what happened I'm really curious
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Svend Nielsen
a cross-country rider
from Denmark Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have just seen a syncros rim brake like I have never seen a rim brake before. One of my friends had just bought the rim and had made a wheel set with the new syncros hub and thought he had the perfect wheel set, but when he pumped it up the ite of the rim just of with a big bang and I thought i had got a hearing injury (but I diden´t luckely) but that little incident shoulden´t had happend it shoulden´t be possible! so get my rating!
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Submitted by
bil
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco CA Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
My first set was defective (extreme vibration when braking), the warranty replacement set was just as bad. How do I get my money back? I purchased these in another state. Wienmann-made rims suck because the material is too soft (radial lacing will bend the rim into a series of S-curves) and the quality control is almost non-existent. Syncros has a good design, but a poor manufacturer. I learned my lesson; I will never stray from Mavic again, no matter what the price or coolness factor. 517's for me!
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Submitted by
rdjerry
a cross-country rider
from Canada Date Reviewed: July 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
Same problem as Yuri and Syncros was good about the warranty but I've still had to put up with poor braking in the meantime. They are getting future models from a different supplier so hopefully they will be better, but till then its a 517 for me. Nedd more words so I'll just say that this would be a great rim for a bike with no brakes.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
yuri
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa Date Reviewed: July 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
Well...Last year's were good but there are major problems this year. There is now a recall in effect for XLR's since there is a rim-width problem. Mine varied up to 0.020 around the rim leading to major vibration during braking. Not only was this hard on the bike (and shocks) but made for some nasty loss-of-control situations on downhills.The basic design of the rim is good (friends have last year's and are still riding them with no problems) but avoid the new ones at all costs. Once again Syncros messes up with quality control on a product.
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Submitted by
formol
a downhiller
from varennes, québec Date Reviewed: July 7, 1998
Bottom Line:
i put air on my new tire, and the tube explose.... with the rim , one feeth of the side of the rim go out..... i had suns cr16 before and his why i will buy a mammoth in the next week..... overrall rating, why i can give it zero star ???? ( sorry for my english usually i speak french )
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Submitted by
Carson
a cross-country rider
from Nova Scotia , Canada Date Reviewed: June 25, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have ridden an XLR on the front with LX Parallax 14/15DT spokes , for almost 1 year and still true. Of course my bomber takes the brunt of most hits but the rim is tight and true. However, on the rear( same set-up), I have blown out 2 XLR's in 4 months.NOT a happy camper .Latest 3 days before a race . I will use an old Sun rim with LX hub meantime. I love the wide braking surface and light weight , but as others indicate I too will try the XLT on the back to see in it can hold up to the torture test .35 grams is diddly if the GD thing don't blow out on me again . Service was great on the 1st wrecked rim , replaced no charge we'll see on the second .For now though I am no longer totally impressed ...5 chilli front , 3 chilli rear.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a cross-country rider
from The Netherlands Date Reviewed: February 6, 1998
Bottom Line:
I like the build-quality of the Altrax XLR. I have now used them for 6 months. The front rim is still perfect, but the back rim gave me some problems. Because these rims are so light there is very little material on the side walls, wich makes them extremely sensitive to denting. On the front the suspension takes the hits in stead of the rim, but the rim on the back didn't survive my riding. Although I'm not a heavy rider, I dented the rim so bad it should be replaced. I'll think I'm going to try the Altrax XLT for my rear wheel. This rim is a little heavier. So I hope it will last longer. I can recommend this rim to any one for front-wheel use, but for the back only when you don't push your bike to hard.
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Submitted by
Lee Lau
a cross-country rider
from North Vancouver, B.C. Canada Date Reviewed: January 23, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've ridden with Steve Fung and knows he rides hard. I've used my Syncros rims both recreationally and racing without problems. Also built 3 cross on a XT Parallax and another was built 3 cross on a Pulstar. 160 lb rider; XC races. Ride pretty aggressive recreationally and frequently land on my rear wheel from drops.The rims hold up well with a minimum of trueing required. More trueing was required as the the sidewalls got abraded. The stickers fall off easily (if you care about that kind of thing) but I had no complaints about the rim on the front.The rim on the back abraded fairly quickly but, to give context, held up as long as a Mavic 217 which is quite a bit more expensive. Good rim.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen Fung
a cross-country rider
from Coquitlam, BC Canada Date Reviewed: January 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
After 10 races plus training rides, this rim is still as true as the day I built it. Very easy to set up and build and the eyelets help the nipples turn and seat properly during tensioning. I built this one up 3 cross on a XT Parallax hub with 14/15g spokes. Because of the good experience, I think I might even try those new DT Revolution spokes on my second set FRO.
$
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