To set the stage I mostly ride my 5-Spot through the week. Now and then I ride my Flux - but its main job is to participate in events and races. It was time to swap out my Mavic Crossmax SL's for something new on my 05 Flux as while the Mavic's are in great condition - true as can be, the rear freehub takes too much attention and failed me once in a race, and all the time by being 'sloppy' causing shift issues.
(also my Flux is getting an RP23, new crankset (I think XTR), new cassette (XT) and if Turner can find me some soon, 08 rockers and a bush refresh....)
The hunt was on to satisfy these criteria...
My shortlist came to this:
Bontrager Race XXX Lite (on DT Swiss 240's)
Shimano XTR
Customs builds using DT 240's, DT Revolution spokes and 819 rims.
Fulcrum Red Metal Zero, 1 or 3's
I did not consider any wheelset's with rims that need generic or DIY tubeless conversion. I know these work, but, I find that they need more attention and conversions can be hit and mis.
Sorry Mavic. I have purchased five sets of Mavic wheels, and only one road set delivered. Pawls sucked, so have the freehubs. Too much maintenance, too much freehub drag, too many shift issues. I love Mavic rims and front hubs. I will need to have some pretty hard proof that Mavic have fixed their freehub design issues before I ever consider buying a Mavic wheelset again. And I don't mean reviews. How many good reviews have there been for SL's, SLR's and Crossmax in general? Crap loads. All wrong IMO. Bye Mavic.
The Bonti's came in too expensive.
The XTR's have reports of axle issues - and this was backed my my buddy who snapped one. Out.
The custom builds just can't get light enough where it counts as the Mavic 819 rims are all that meets my needs. No Kings this time... Perhaps for my Spot later...
So that left the Fulcrums.
They meet all my criteria. So which set?
I picked the 1's cause they are only 70 grams more than the zero's yet share the same hub internals and offer brass nipples and steel bladed spokes. Order placed....
Impressions and review later with pictures...
(also my Flux is getting an RP23, new crankset (I think XTR), new cassette (XT) and if Turner can find me some soon, 08 rockers and a bush refresh....)
The hunt was on to satisfy these criteria...
- Light enough. Must be less than 1700grams for the set.
- Tubeless ready. Must be sans spoke holes or have a factory fitted strip (no aftermarket).
- Great hubs. Great freehub.
- Must have more than two pawls.
My shortlist came to this:
Bontrager Race XXX Lite (on DT Swiss 240's)
Shimano XTR
Customs builds using DT 240's, DT Revolution spokes and 819 rims.
Fulcrum Red Metal Zero, 1 or 3's
I did not consider any wheelset's with rims that need generic or DIY tubeless conversion. I know these work, but, I find that they need more attention and conversions can be hit and mis.
Sorry Mavic. I have purchased five sets of Mavic wheels, and only one road set delivered. Pawls sucked, so have the freehubs. Too much maintenance, too much freehub drag, too many shift issues. I love Mavic rims and front hubs. I will need to have some pretty hard proof that Mavic have fixed their freehub design issues before I ever consider buying a Mavic wheelset again. And I don't mean reviews. How many good reviews have there been for SL's, SLR's and Crossmax in general? Crap loads. All wrong IMO. Bye Mavic.
The Bonti's came in too expensive.
The XTR's have reports of axle issues - and this was backed my my buddy who snapped one. Out.
The custom builds just can't get light enough where it counts as the Mavic 819 rims are all that meets my needs. No Kings this time... Perhaps for my Spot later...
So that left the Fulcrums.
They meet all my criteria. So which set?
I picked the 1's cause they are only 70 grams more than the zero's yet share the same hub internals and offer brass nipples and steel bladed spokes. Order placed....
Impressions and review later with pictures...