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Submitted by
Daniel Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Richardson, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lake Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | -Strong
-Light weight | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Alex Rims | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M40, XT crankset, LX Hydraulic Disc brakes, Mavic 217's with XT hubs | | Bottom Line: | These wheels have been great. No problems whatsoever. I dont ride super hard... so I cant really say I have abused them or seriously put them to the test. But for around the town and the occasional ride down mountains in Colorado... these wheels have been fabulous. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtdewd
a Cross Country Rider
from Pasadena, California
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | South County Cyclery, SJC, CA | | Strengths: | Light weight, starts out round. | | Weaknesses: | Kind of flimsy.
Rims started to crack from the inside after consistent commuting.
High cost. | | Similar Products Used: | Velocity Aeroheat | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar, full XT, Rockshoks Judy SL, Speed Springs, Gem | | Bottom Line: | I think these were part of a component package that GT used to build a really light weight bike. When I bought the bike (1995), 24 pounds for a hard tail was pretty good. It had Richey Logic spokes, which were again, light weight, but did not keep the wheels true for very long; even moderate hits would cause wobbles in the rim.
I stopped riding this bike off road when I got my LTS. Then 5 years ago, I started to commute regularly with the Zaskar. This consists of 17 miles round trip, with about 700 feet total climb, all on pavement. I would take mountainous routes home about once a week, which is like an additional 1500 feet climb and 8 more miles. I do not take jumps, so I thought I was being pretty gentle to the wheels.
But the rim on the back wheel started to fail after about a year of commuting in a most unusual way: Cracks developed around the valve stem hole on the INSIDE wall of the rim, going toward the nearby spoke hole. Everything appeared fine on the outside, but when I applied the rear brakes, it would thump at one spot. It turned out to be the cracked rim being pushed out by tire pressure.
I saw a reviewer of the 217SUP rim ( what's the difference anyway?) having a similar problem, except on his rim, the crack went around the whole circle before he noticed it. This is the only other case I've seen of a damage similar to mine, but I'm sure he was doing much harder riding than I was.
I went through 2 more like this, again all from mostly road riding, so I thought there might be a pattern going on with this model. Funny thing is, I also went through two Velocity Aeroheat rims as well, cracking them in the same places, so maybe it was something I was doing?. At least those rims were much cheaper. So on average, each rim lasted about a year.
I'm giving these rims 2 chilis for value due to their cost, and 3 for overall because they were light weight and worked pretty well when they were working.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M Snow
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, came with the bike. | | Weaknesses: | flimsy, folds up easy, | | Similar Products Used: | Velocity VXC Disc specific, Velocity Aero Heat, Mavic 223, | | Bike Setup: | Titus xt/xtr etc... | | Bottom Line: | These are cheap flimsy wheels to put on your bike when your selling it. Keep the good wheels for your new ride. I am not a young, heavy nor hard rider and I tacoed these with very little effort in a soft corner. It should have washed out the tire instead of folding up the rim. It also doesn't add any value since its made in France. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a
from Marblehead, MA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Weaknesses: | Let me add my name to the list of those who say these suck. I'm a mid-level freerider and they bend left and right. I've replaced both front and back twice and have had them trued countless times. Don't waste your money on them (if you can still find them). | | Bottom Line: | Suck | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, Ca.
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt. Tam | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Swigin Cyclery | | Strengths: | Tubeless | | Weaknesses: | To much flex. Very soft feel. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager offset spoke wheelset. | | Bike Setup: | Klien Adept Comp. All XTR components. XT cranks and bottom bracket. | | Bottom Line: | These wheels can't hold up to much punishment. They are way to flexy. These wheels start to rub my rear stays after 2 rides. I can't keep these wheel true. I have broken 3 spokes in the past 3 months. Throw these in the recycle bin after 2 rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Markus
a Weekend Warrior
from Dresden, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Borsberg | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock on my Giant Super Sierra '95 | | Strengths: | Lightweight, strong | | Weaknesses: | Tends to wear quickly, esp. using Shimano V-Brakes w/orig. Pads. Had bad squealing action as well | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic X-517, X-138, 221 | | Bike Setup: | Giant Cadex, Jett Race, all XT --> light setup for road and trails (I prefer to ride fast rather than hard) | | Bottom Line: | I prefer the 217's over the 517 for two reasons:
The ores are fitted better (they go thru both layers).
The alloy does not break as easy. I had two 517's split around the diameter after 10-15'000 km. If you ride much, take the extra weight and use 217's.
217's are perfect for rear wheel. For front I recommend 517's. Bottom line: 5 years-15'000 km and still going strong--that's got to be at least 5 of the chilis!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
your worst nightmare
a Cross Country Rider
from or
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything with big drops | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | they are round....seem to work for those hardcore road mountain bikers (you know who you are) | | Weaknesses: | they are about as strong as a wet noodle. I have had three of these (cheers to mavic's customer service!)and have finally broken out of the cycle. | | Similar Products Used: | cane creek (wonderful), weinnman zac (not so good) | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar, psylo race, crap rims (for now), xtr, race face, etc... | | Bottom Line: | these rims suck, if you want some rims that have the "right name" to ride around town on and impress your friends buy these. if you plan on riding off road dont buy these. if you plan on jumping more than 2-3 inches, dont buy these. Mavic, get a grip and make better rims! I would suggest cane creek's to anyone who wants an excelletn wheel/rim combo, and for the budget minded rhyno lite's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan
a
from Ft. Thomas
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | tower park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$43.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light... kind of | | Weaknesses: | Sidewall wear, far too narrow, FLexY, weak | | Similar Products Used: | None worth mentioning | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Mesa(score!!!)Marzzocchi Z2 BAM Soon to have LX/Sun Rhino Lite wheels... | | Bottom Line: | I had for 2 months and the sidewalls are paper thin. THat is a problem. That's all I got to say right now cause I'm tired. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryl
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View, CA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | RBMSports (Northern Cal.) | | Strengths: | Wheelset runs smooth on the steepest of climbs. Good value (back in 1998 when I bought them). More than enough rim for your lightweight, light riding weekend warrior/commuter. | | Weaknesses: | Braking surface degrades easily. Brake fading is a problem, a short term fix for which is rubbing a scouring pad [those rough green things used to scrub pots and pans] lightly across the surface to remove brakedust/dirt/grime. | | Similar Products Used: | These are my first and only off-road specific wheelset. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized S-Works hardtail. Custom built to my desires. Wheelset: Mavic 217 SUP f/r in rainbow color. LX V-Brakes [upgraded to XTR V-Brakes and braking performance did not improve much cuz sidewalls are so out of shape]. STOUT front w/skraxle radial laced 32hole, and Shimano XT rear stdQR 2x laced 32hole. | | Bottom Line: | These rims are no longer in production and have been replaced by the X517 XC series. If you find these for cheap, don't get them! There are better wheelsets/rims available these days. Mavic has greatly improved on their design since the 217 design rim.
I've had these for over three years only because I don't plan to upgrade to disc. They'll suffice for the XC/street riding I perform daily. Not the sturdiest on rough terrain, but can easily handle any uphill ascent you dare to climb.
They've been re-trued 4 times and have had two spokes replace on the rear wheel (I basically threw a cone wrench at it. *TWANG* two bent spokes.) I learned that keeping your spokes properly tensioned is s-u-p-e-r-i-m-p-o-r-t-a-n-t. Check them after a few rides, and especially if you hear spoke noise coming from your wheels. Fix it immediately. This will extend the life of your wheels. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a
from Bellingham, WA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light | | Weaknesses: | weak | | Similar Products Used: | rhino lite | | Bike Setup: | 01 enduro. hayes | | Bottom Line: | Good for XC riding. I have messed my rear one up pretty good, but I ride hard on it. I'm planning on upgrading to the Rhyno Lite once I taco this one. Not a terrible rim, but I just need a burlier one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rebel .
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | O.R.G. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Bryceco (?) | | Strengths: | Strong, stiff, light, fast...all the high points of a rim. I used to run the weaker SUP rims (I can't remember what they're called) and they stayed quite true, and these haven't bent yet! | | Weaknesses: | None...well sometimes they're a bit flimsy under heavy abuse. | | Similar Products Used: | Sun Rhynolite, CR18, 0° Lite, etc. | | Bike Setup: | '98 FSR Elite w/MRP 6.2" upgrade, '98 Boxxer Pro 6", Hope rear Magura front discs, XTR rear derailleur, XT shifter, MRP chainguide, Raceface Turbine LPs, Tioga and WTB tires...oh yeah, and a 217 SUP front rim...Rhynolite rear. | | Bottom Line: | Get these rims. They haven't given me any trouble yet. I use them for downhill, most often. They're straighter than my Rhynolite, if that tells you anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicolai Grøndahl
a Cross Country Rider
from Kongsvinger
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light. it's mavic! (oh yeah!)(uh) looks cool | | Weaknesses: | weak - i mean really weak. expensive -u have to by new ones every month if u want to have true rims all the time. the spokes get loose after two weeks of riding | | Similar Products Used: | mavic 138 | | Bike Setup: | cyclepro (unknown but very good)alu frame really stiff, xt/lx, rockshox judy xc | | Bottom Line: | Because too many riders demand lighter stuff, things worn out quicker. I want stronger stuff that lasts, but it seems that everyone wants bad sucky worn-me-out-quick-let's-buy-a-new-one-tomorrow-i-don't-care stuff. This makes me sick. Another problem with 217's is that they come on many new bikes, if u want some other ones, u have to buy them later. So I recommend hard-core xc bikers to stay away from 217 and buy some stronger rims. If u don't want to ride rocky and difficult trails go for them, they are light and nice to look at. Next time I buy rims I will buy the 121's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MATT MULLEN
a Cross Country Rider
from SHEFFIELD IN UK
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | LIGHT WEIGHT | | Weaknesses: | WEARS OUT QUICKER THAN EXPECTED | | Similar Products Used: | MAVIC 221 | | Bike Setup: | HARDTAIL | | Bottom Line: | I BOUGHT A MAVIC 217 WITH SHIMANO XT HUBS FOR £110 WHICH WASNT A BAD PRICE BACK IN OCT 97. THE FRONT RIM IS STILL GOING ALTHOUGH ITS QUITE WORN, SOON TO BE REPLACED WITH MY NEW 517 WITH PACE HUB (LUVERLY). THE REAR 217 SPLIT AFTER THE SIDEWALLS WERE WORN OUT WHILST OUT ON A RIDE (RIM HELD TOGETHER JUST ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET BACK HOME). THE SHEFFIELD MUD WEARS RIMS OUT LIKE A GRINDER ESPECIALLY WITH V BRAKES. THE REAR WAS REPLACED IN APR 99 WITH A SYNCROS XLR (SEE MY ASSESMENT OF THAT PRODUCT). ANYWAY, TO SUMMARISE THE FRONT HAS LASTED WELL BUT IS OUT OF TRUE (4CHILLIS), THE REAR WORE OUT AFTER 18 MONTHS & HAD TO BE TRUED A FEW MORE TIMES THAN I EXPECTED (3CHILLIS). SO OVERALL 3.5 CHILLIS. YOU CANT DO HALF CHILI RATINGS SO I GAVE IT A 4 CHILI BURSTING SCORE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Blue Moountains | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Sidewalls ware and crack, or rim fractures around eyelets. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 517 | | Bike Setup: | 98 Specialized M2 S-Works, King Headset, Marzochi Z2 forks. | | Bottom Line: | The bike came with 217 rims and I wore the rear rim out in 9 months. The sidewall wore thin then split. I replaced it with another 217 and 12 months later the same thing happened. I replaced that with a x517 and it broke this time with a fracture between the eyelets and valve hole. They look good and come higly recomended but are simply not up the punishment of 4 day a week riding. I have just replaced it with a D521. Hopefully this will last a little longer. If your a weekend warrior there probably fine, anything more than that, look for something a little more robust. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
All singletrack | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
they roll | | Weaknesses: |
these rims do not stay true,brake surface wears quickly,rims cracks at eyelets. | | Similar Products Used: |
221 and bontrager mustangs | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Element with z-1 bam all xt | | Bottom Line: | These rims are not good for agressive riding in rock gardens.Mavic 217s might better suit X/c racers or paved bike path riders. No stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Owen
a Weekend Warrior
from Sibu , Sarawak , Malaysia
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
local | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Solid-aerospacy looking.
Durable.
Professional. | | Weaknesses: |
Dirt on it can't be scrubbed off. | | Similar Products Used: |
Araya RM 17 Super Hard | | Bike Setup: |
GT Avalanche LE frame.
Manitou SX-Ti 97
SHIMANO XT group set. | | Bottom Line: | Worth the buy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Briones Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Name Brand, looks | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
Mavic 238, Weinmann, Araya, Concept | | Bike Setup: |
Dean Oscar Custom, XT/XTR mix, SDG Seat, Race Face cranks, Answer Hyperlite/Hyperends, Ame grips, Time ATAC Carbon pedals, Dean Stem/post, Mavic 217/GT CNC wheels, Bontrager Revolt SS tire pair, Sachs PC-51 chain, SID XC | | Bottom Line: | These are great rims. I got the gold anno color, DT laced to GT CNC hubs. They contrast well with my SID blue frame and fork. No complaints. Please see my other review under the setup section. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hunter
a Cross-Country Rider
from Orlando, Fl
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Ocala Hard Rock | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Durability and affordability for a novice rider. | | Weaknesses: |
When riding gets hard core, this rim cannot hang. | | Similar Products Used: |
Original garbage which initilally came with bike, Mavic 138's. | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn Moab, Marzocchi Jr.T (Don't criticize DH shock setup on a hardtail until you see my riding style...punk) :-) | | Bottom Line: | These rims gave a novice rider nearly two years of dependable service. If you are a mid grade rider looking to upgrade reasonably, the 217's are a good choice. Also, these rims held up respectably when my urban assault riding got crazy (jumping) and my cross coutry became more demanding (rocky decents @ Hard Rock and Bellevue). Therfore, they will hold up in your improvement stage as long as you keep them trued by a MASTER WHEEL TECH. That is until you ride enough to earn a try on the high end stuff! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtnbike001
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Leandro, Ca.
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
none!! | | Weaknesses: |
no eyelets on the rim. I pulled the spokes thru on the rims and each spoke hole was starting to develope cracks | | Similar Products Used: |
Now ride WTB PowerBeam rims with titanium spokes and XTR hubs. Awesome setup!! | | Bike Setup: |
Merlin titanium bike with a Manitou fork | | Bottom Line: | Never again will I purchase a Mavic rim - either for my road bike or mountain bike.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rat man
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Ermmm... light. | | Weaknesses: |
Sidewalls. Stickers come off. colors fade. | | Similar Products Used: |
most rims. | | Bike Setup: |
F/s with v's | | Bottom Line: | I didnt have them long. The kept on folding with the sidewalls. Steer clear if you are moderately heavy on wheels. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chaz
a Cross-Country Rider
from amherst
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
mt lincoln | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
um... | | Weaknesses: |
they suck | | Similar Products Used: |
matrix swami | | Bottom Line: | these rims suck. i have to true them after every couple rides. the first pair i got, about a year ago, was shit after like 2 months. i was up at mt. snow for the NORBA race, so i took it to the mavic tent and they said it was just a bad rim of the bunch, so they replaced it for free. that one held up fine for awhile, then got all shitty on me, but since mavic is a cool company and knows that their rims suck, the replaced it again. if it weren't for the fact that i keep getting free rims, i'd ditch them. i think though that i'll soon build me up some new wheels with either King or Real hubs, laced to some Bonty's. giddyup! 2 stars because i get free rims | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LG
a Cross-Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bike Setup: |
1. GF ZO XT,XTR,KING,TIME,AZONIC,
217S/XTR
2. SANTACRUZ HECKLER
XTR,KING,MONKEYLIGHTS,KORE,TIME,517S/XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I dont understand I had a pr silver 217s w/xt strung by wheelsmith and they sucked, similiar to all the responses below. Then My LBS built me an anodized pair w/xtr? I'm a 200 lb guy who beats the crap out of wheels. Theres bairly a wobble in them maybe 2 minor truings! 14 g double butted w/ alu. nipples. I dont get it why all these complaints! I rode these wheels 3 days a week for three years they're fine!?!?!? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trick
a Cross-Country Rider
from Marietta, Ga
Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Chicopee Woods | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Bombproof, light, SUP machined Surface | | Weaknesses: |
Eyelets rip out of older 217 - like pre '95 when they were single eyelet style. Newer ones are double eyelet and don't suffer from this. | | Similar Products Used: |
Sun Chinook, Trek Matrix, Bontrager | | Bike Setup: |
99 McMahon Moonshot, White Bros. SC90AT, XTR, blah, blah, blah... | | Bottom Line: | Sorry people, but all you folks that complain about your rims coming out of true all the time suffer from the same problem. Whoever built your wheels did a sh*tty job at it. Just because some snot-nosed punk at your local bike shop hand built them using a barnetts manual doesn't mean that he knows what the hell he's doing. There's only a few people out there that really know how to build a strong wheel. I got 3.5 years and over 5000 miles out of a set of old, single eyelet 217's on XTR hubs - and I'm a 210lb. sport class racer. It's not the rim or the spokes or the hubs... It's the BUILDER!!! Look at a set of Crosslink wheels. Compare the rim to a 217. Same technology, same materials, same mfg. process. If you want a set of bombproof wheels that you aren't gong to have to true every ride, get 'em made by someone like Kovachi Wheels, or another reputable shop. 217's are a great choice for XC riding and racing. Now, that said, if you freeride or downhill on these babies, you're a dumbass - they're not made for it, so stop complaining and research your wheels before you buy them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gump
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boulder,CO
Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
techy/rough singletrack | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
When new, they are round | | Weaknesses: |
Just plain weak | | Similar Products Used: |
Mav-121;Matrix-Swami+voodoo;Bont-Maverick | | Bike Setup: |
TrekY50; | | Bottom Line: | I tried these rims twice because, at the time, many locals (Texas) were smilin' at 'em. I couldn't understand why they kept changing shape so much. Yes, they were built well. I like riding the rough stuff, but these would warp (out of true) on the easy stuff. One also started rattling early on. Mavic needs to let the clay harden more on these noodles. Won't ever use 'em again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Racer
from halifax
Date Reviewed: July 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Bottom Line: | These are the worst rims you can bye for the price. The eyelits pull out of the rim. This happend on 3 cosecutive rims. Bye Sun,Bontreger,or a complete mavic wheel like cross max or cross link. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Racer
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
it's black? | | Weaknesses: |
cookie cutter.... | | Similar Products Used: |
Stock rim, and Rhyno Lites | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX860 frame
99xvertR, etc..
a D/S rig | | Bottom Line: | These are a piece of $h1t. I bought one for the rear from a friend of mine who works at the LBS. 14 straight gauge, GT sealed hub, ridden only few times (and he is easy rider), sounded like good rim.
ErrrrrT! wrong!. Rode em for a while round the city, don't some little drops (3ft or less) as I wanted this one to last till I got my Rhyno's..
Got em trued by a good mechanic, straight as arrow. Went riding ONCE offroad doing some easy ST and $h1t. RIM WAY OUTTA WACK! 2 spokes being pulled right outta the eyelets.
WTF is that? I just let em die.
Took couple of weeks of light riding (for me) for this rim to become a example of what a rim is NOT supposed to look like. Buy Rhyno's. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C-Dale Man
a Cross-Country Rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
too many | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
good affordable rims | | Weaknesses: |
not the best out there | | Bike Setup: |
Super V 700 | | Bottom Line: | The 217 are pretty nice rims. My XTR's on them results in very good braking power. But, this isn't the best rim out there. They are kinda heavy, and is it me or do they attract dirt like crazy!? Anyway, i suppose as affordable, decent rims they are just perfect, but overall I have to give them 3 chillies. good rims. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross-Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: May 30, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Wakefield | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Machined sidewall | | Weaknesses: |
seam brace
price
quality
contacting mavic
warranty | | Similar Products Used: |
Bontrager Mustang
Bontrager Maverick
Mavic 221 | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized Stumpjumper,XTR,Judy SL | | Bottom Line: | For the price these things suck. Five rides on my 36h 217 and the seam brace came loose and clanks around like it is new years. Rode it until it was trashed and then replaced it with a another 217. First ride out and the same thing happened. At $50 a pop these should hold up a little better. One chili for quality and warranty. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
point-G
a Racer
from Washington
Date Reviewed: May 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Pretty light.
Not terribly expensive. | | Weaknesses: |
Nipple ports are WAAY to thin. I came down off a 4ft wall onto a gravel driveway with a slackly tuned Bomber and punched 4 spokes through my tire. | | Similar Products Used: |
Mavic 517
WTB powerbeams
Bontrager Maveric | | Bike Setup: |
I was on a Easton Aluminum hardtail with a A-bomb and Nuke proof bombshells, DT competition DB spokes and brass nipples. | | Bottom Line: | Probobly too light for their own good. However they did last a whole year of hard riding -
I would not buy these again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abe Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn Cali.
Date Reviewed: May 24, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
any that goes downhill | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
what strengths? | | Weaknesses: |
They collapse if you look at them crosseyed. | | Similar Products Used: |
Sun CR18's, Sun TR18's, Sun Rhino Lite's | | Bike Setup: |
'98 Cannondale f1000, Fatty headshok, XT comps. | | Bottom Line: | They wobble and handle like a road bike on sand | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manfred
a Cross-Country Rider
from Amsterdam
Date Reviewed: May 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Low weight
Stiffness
Ease of trueing | | Weaknesses: |
Not bombproof
Takes a lot of polishing when dirty | | Similar Products Used: |
Campagnolo Thorr
Wolber AT 20 | | Bike Setup: |
Shimano shit
The bike is an all rigid carbon/alloy Koga Miyata, this is the Dutch word for heavy weight bomb bike | | Bottom Line: | Best rims I have ever ridden. I use the rims for as long as the are available in the shops. NO Problems. They accelerate fast and stay reasonably true (for my nitpicker measures).
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Burke
a Cross-Country Rider
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Markham Patrk, Oleta, Hardrock | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Strong, very light | | Weaknesses: |
None, in my experience | | Bike Setup: |
CDale Beast o East w/ XTR | | Bottom Line: | I'm amazed to find that so many people have had problems with these wheels. Mine are Wheelsmith-built with XT hubs. They have been absolutely maintenance-free, and after two years of racing and what I consider some fairly hard riding, they are in excellent shape -- they've never even come out of true! I have been astounded by the performance I've gotten out of these wheels, and would highly recommend them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bothell, WA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
No way I am tellin ya! | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
This wheel is light but wears out far too fast. I have bought four rims in the last 2 years. | | Weaknesses: |
It seems many peolpe including myself are having problems with premature wearing out of the sidewalls. Mine developed cracks and structural failure resulted FOR THE FORTH TIME!!!
The last time my rim was sent back to Mavic and they clamed it was due to normal wear and tear. I wish they would make the sidewalls a bit more durable. | | Bike Setup: |
Gt RTS-3, Bomber Z1 up fornt. | | Bottom Line: | This is the forth Mavic I have had in two years. I am switching brands. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mental MIke
a Weekend Warrior
from Reading, England
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
The Gap, Brecon, Wales | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
This rim is light and pretty cool looking. | | Weaknesses: |
The material it's made from is not strong enough. | | Similar Products Used: |
Bontrager BCX
Orange (made by FIR)
Mavic 230 BSP
Araya | | Bike Setup: |
Rim laced to a rear XT hub with single butted 13/14 gauge DT spokes,in
a rigid True Temper frame. | | Bottom Line: | I built up this wheel myself over three years ago and it has stayed very true throughout that time. However cracks have started to appear from some of the spoke eyelets on the drive side, which is pretty dissapointing considering there's loads of wear left on the side walls. Not Good. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JB
a Cross-Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
These rims are light and stay true if built correctly | | Weaknesses: |
The rim cracked and eyelet pulled through after about 6 months of hard riding. | | Similar Products Used: |
SUN and Mustangs | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale hardtail (Noleen Elite) and San Andreas (Statos Helix Pro and White Bros. DC-118) | | Bottom Line: | Eventhough these rims were great on my hardtail for XC-racing, but they were trashed when used on my Mountain Cycle for more extreme stuff. Still a better rim than most on the market. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from St. Louise
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | I agree with Bowis this rim really does not hold up that well to hard riding. Just about every week the wheel would come way out of true. Ever since I got this rim its been nothing but a pain in the ass. E |
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$ 50.00
