The X223 was one of Mavic's budget rims that after 5 years it's time to retire. You are better off getting the new wheel.

 

I have X223 on my 2004 Epic. I just ordered new wheels this week so that set will be retired. I'm not unhappy with the rims at all. I weighed in at 225 when I bought the bike and they took a pounding without going out of alignment. I weight 180 and like I said still ride them. They are hooked to Deore Hub on the back (stout on the front). Zero issues with wheels, I just got into racing so its time for me to move to wheels that add efficiency to my riding.

The rim is heavy but not THAT heavy. Its a decent rim. Just not built to last. It would cost you maybe $50 more to buy a decent new quality rim.

I wouldn't put a King hub on those rims. You could, but it would remind me of a Dodge Neon with $2500 rims/exhausts and spoilers. Kinda funny.

 

The 223 was pretty much an OEM rim.....

For the most part any thing designated with a 1 (X117) or a 2 (X223) from Mavic is OEM. You find them online occasioanlly as pull offs or manufacturer buy outs, or in shops as OEM replacement rims. They are heavy, but not boat anchors. But at 5 years old I'd replace them. A good budget aftermarket rim that would be comparable to the 223 would be the XM321. Stout, double walled, eyeletted spoke holes etc. Not the lightest rim in the line up either, but lighter than the 223 and stronger yet. A good build with 321's and your new hub(s) would be the way to go IMHO.

Good Dirt

 

Thanks folks,

I'm actually very happy with the wheels. Done a few downhill races, lots of rocks during normal riding here in the northeast, and bent a shock bolt in a four-cross race but neither wheel ever needed to be trued yet. (I'm only 160lbs tho'.)

I just want to try a solid bolt-in axle to get rid of some swing-arm flex, and the OE Stout hub (Stout hubs were front and rear in '01) has a special retarded axle that can't be replaced by a normal solid axle. So, I'm looking at a new hub for the rear.

Thanks for the suggested X321 as a replacement. I'll look into that along with a new wheel. :thumbsup:

 

The 321 is much stouter (not to mention wider and heavier) than a 223 (of which I have had two sets since 1999) and had no problems with at 270#. The 317 is about the same profile as the 223, but a little stouter. The 223 really are a decent, but inexpensive rim that isn't as low end as say the 117 or even 221.

 

Call or email Mike Garcia at www.oddsandendos.com You'd be able to get a really great build for less than you think, along with amazing build quality. Only a few combos are listed on the site. I just bought a dt 5.1/Hope Pro2 wheelset for a lot less than one would think.

 

Thanks Jerk_Chicken, I'll look into him.