It’s make your mind up time for me, and I’m addressing the matter of the ordering the building of a couple of pairs of wheels. Despite misgivings expressed in certain posts on this site, I will probably order Mavic rims. Information received suggests that the rims don’t have the miles in them that they did in times past – my own experience certainly agrees with that. My wheelbuilder, agrees that the rims don’t appear to last as long, and his guess is that the demand for a lighter rim is responsible for that, but he maintains that the rims are now stronger. Any comments on that?
My cynical opinion is that quicker the rims wear out, the more are sold, and the greater the profit - but of course I may be wrong.
A look at the “CHICKEN CYCLE KIT” brochure shows a range of rims, including the Open Pro, which is the rim I am most likely to select this time around. The illustration of the Open Pro rim shows a lot of little symbols, which includes a “CD” symbol, and reference to the key on the following page advises that “CD” indicates a ‘re-inforced oxide surface, which gives 150 – 400 times greater resistance’. My question is, greater resistance to what? If it is resistance to wear on the braking rims, how does it achieve that, on the basis that the breaking surface features “UB CONTROL”, which is ‘Digitally controlled rim milling decreases friction’. The “CD” finish costs £8.00p per rim more than the basic silver finish – does anyone know whether it is worth spending the extra money, and whether the “CD” finish has any effective (as distinct from cosmetic) benefit?
Another option on the Open Pro is “CERAMIC 2” finish, of which it says ‘Thermal shield reduces braking distances’ – has anyone had any experience? The ceramic finish was once offered to me as a treatment, which would increase mileage – I have previously asked a question about this (it could be over a year ago now), but the responses that I received didn’t really help. Any comments?
A previous Chicken brochure, entitled “COMPONENT 2004” included small cross-sectional sketches of the road rims, which helped in the selection process (having previously decided usage and tyre choice), but this information is sadly no longer given. Does anyone know where such information is accessible? My wheelbuilder seems to have the information, so apparently he gets information material, which is not available to the end user/customer.
I’m posting this query on both the “Does anybody know……” section, in case anybody does know, and on the “Bikes and Bits – Technical Section”, because they are technical issues, and definitive information from CJ (as well as from anyone else) would be appreciated.
JohnW
Choosing a rim
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thirdcrank
- Posts: 36740
- Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm
JohnW
I know this may sound silly but have you looked at the thread about four below this one as I write "Mavic Open Pro- can it take the weight?" There is a post on there from CJ including a pic of a pretty comprehensive failure of a rim, followed up by the personal account of the rider involved. Interesting reading. (And I am sorry if you have already seen it.)
I know this may sound silly but have you looked at the thread about four below this one as I write "Mavic Open Pro- can it take the weight?" There is a post on there from CJ including a pic of a pretty comprehensive failure of a rim, followed up by the personal account of the rider involved. Interesting reading. (And I am sorry if you have already seen it.)
I use Mavic MA3s and am very happy with them. Only 4400 miles so far but often dirty and a lot of dragging on the back brake. I had an accident and tore out 5 spokes bent my deraileur hanger and put a bald patch on my tyre. There were no hair line cracks around the eyelets after that.
When I went to build a spare wheel, the guy at Spa cycles didnt really want to sell me any MA3s and I trust his advice so I bought a Rigida Chrina instead £15 instead of 16.
It is only slightly heavier than the Mavic and if you are bothered by the OPen Pro failure then go for that.
For a cyclist trying to minimise weight then using lighter rims and disposing of them early is quite good value for money. Brake pads wear out much more rapidly and cost half the price of a rim!
Considering all the energy you have put into researching your new wheels why dont you actually build them yourself, it isnt difficult and is very satisfying. Also it helps you keep them in perfect form, however that is not going to protect you from this sort of rim failure.
When I went to build a spare wheel, the guy at Spa cycles didnt really want to sell me any MA3s and I trust his advice so I bought a Rigida Chrina instead £15 instead of 16.
It is only slightly heavier than the Mavic and if you are bothered by the OPen Pro failure then go for that.
For a cyclist trying to minimise weight then using lighter rims and disposing of them early is quite good value for money. Brake pads wear out much more rapidly and cost half the price of a rim!
Considering all the energy you have put into researching your new wheels why dont you actually build them yourself, it isnt difficult and is very satisfying. Also it helps you keep them in perfect form, however that is not going to protect you from this sort of rim failure.
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reohn2
rehon2 - thanks for message. I have actually asked a similar question some weeks (months?) previously, when I was wondering also about ambrosio rims.
It's difficult to be confident in Open Pros following the other thread on this section - have you seen that?
Regards and don't eat too many Easter eggs.
JohnW
It's difficult to be confident in Open Pros following the other thread on this section - have you seen that?
Regards and don't eat too many Easter eggs.
JohnW
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reohn2
yep I've seen the other thread,scary 
I have to admit I'm a bit of a Mavicaphobe,personally I think they're being made to wear out to soon and are too light(for touring and general use that is).
I've heard good reports on the two rims I've mentioned, espesially the DRC ones.
It seems everyone wants light rims without thinking of the trade off,it seems to me (racing aside)that very light rims have their own problems more so when riding in all weathers,for the saving gained its not worth the risk IMO.I would rather have something dependable and tough than be worried about if they're going to fail,I'm the same with tyres.
I used to ride with a chap who was gram counter,he wouldn't ride over a cattle grid on his wheels they were so light,used to pick the bike up and carry it, he was the same with tyres the lightest Gomitalie(sp?) super dupers worn out in 2 to 3000 miles,could never understand it.Still to each his own.
I have to admit I'm a bit of a Mavicaphobe,personally I think they're being made to wear out to soon and are too light(for touring and general use that is).
I've heard good reports on the two rims I've mentioned, espesially the DRC ones.
It seems everyone wants light rims without thinking of the trade off,it seems to me (racing aside)that very light rims have their own problems more so when riding in all weathers,for the saving gained its not worth the risk IMO.I would rather have something dependable and tough than be worried about if they're going to fail,I'm the same with tyres.
I used to ride with a chap who was gram counter,he wouldn't ride over a cattle grid on his wheels they were so light,used to pick the bike up and carry it, he was the same with tyres the lightest Gomitalie(sp?) super dupers worn out in 2 to 3000 miles,could never understand it.Still to each his own.
Velocity rims get a good write up and are building quite a good reputation. They're readily available in the US, but I'm not sure about the situation back home in the UK.
Pete Matthews has a fearsome reputation as a wheel builder and always used Pianni rims. Never seen anything about these rims anywhere else (not even a web site) but from using 3 pairs of his wheels I can tell you they are very durable, if not as well made as Mavics or Velocitys.
I've also got a pair of Gipiemme rims which have taken quite a bashing and have held up well, but I interpret their weight to be near boat anchor class.
Anyone else got experience outside Mavic? it seems fashionable to bash that company at this time, and I wonder if we are being unfair?
Pjl
Pete Matthews has a fearsome reputation as a wheel builder and always used Pianni rims. Never seen anything about these rims anywhere else (not even a web site) but from using 3 pairs of his wheels I can tell you they are very durable, if not as well made as Mavics or Velocitys.
I've also got a pair of Gipiemme rims which have taken quite a bashing and have held up well, but I interpret their weight to be near boat anchor class.
Anyone else got experience outside Mavic? it seems fashionable to bash that company at this time, and I wonder if we are being unfair?
Pjl
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thirdcrank
- Posts: 36740
- Joined: 9 Jan 2007, 2:44pm
pliptrot wrote:Pete Matthews has a fearsome reputation as a wheel builder and always used Pianni rims. Never seen anything about these rims anywhere else (not even a web site)
I believe they are his 'own brand' rims. Now, on the basis of his reputation as a wheelbuilder, you might expect him to have a pretty good own brand.
CD is a waste of money IMO. It has no effect on wear or braking as the brake surfaces are milled. It makes the rims easier to keep clean, if you care. There are reports that you get more cracks round the spoke holes.
Ceramic does make the rims wear considerably longer, but it won't help the rim resist pothole damage, and they cost twice as much
I usually buy my rims in batches so I can re-use the spokes. The next batch is Rigida Chrina, but I'm still finishing off the Open Pros at present. I've had no problems with the OPs, but I listen to the reports, and the Chrinas are cheaper anyway.
Ceramic does make the rims wear considerably longer, but it won't help the rim resist pothole damage, and they cost twice as much
I usually buy my rims in batches so I can re-use the spokes. The next batch is Rigida Chrina, but I'm still finishing off the Open Pros at present. I've had no problems with the OPs, but I listen to the reports, and the Chrinas are cheaper anyway.
Actually pliptrot, I'm not bashing Mavic - my initial post was a question and was posted before I'd read about the disaster and seen the photograph. Have you seen the photograph on the adjacent thread?
It is actually a long time since I had any rims other that Mavic, although the fact is that I bought a batch of G40s many years ago, followed by some Module 3 CDs a little later, and the last pair of each of these are now gaining mileage. More recently I've had a pair of A319s on my
wet-weather-and-everything bike, and so far so good.
No, honestly, I've no axe to grind against Mavic, but we can't ignore the facts............
One fact, of course, is that probably 80 to 85% of all the people that I know ride Mavics, and on the basis of that proportion, and if that proportion is repeated nationwide, then it is not necessarily surprising that most problems involve Mavic.
But we still can't ignore the facts........
Andrew_s - where can I get info on Rigida? Interestingly, I was riding Rigida thirty years and more ago, and I'd quite forgotten them.
JohnW
It is actually a long time since I had any rims other that Mavic, although the fact is that I bought a batch of G40s many years ago, followed by some Module 3 CDs a little later, and the last pair of each of these are now gaining mileage. More recently I've had a pair of A319s on my
wet-weather-and-everything bike, and so far so good.
No, honestly, I've no axe to grind against Mavic, but we can't ignore the facts............
One fact, of course, is that probably 80 to 85% of all the people that I know ride Mavics, and on the basis of that proportion, and if that proportion is repeated nationwide, then it is not necessarily surprising that most problems involve Mavic.
But we still can't ignore the facts........
Andrew_s - where can I get info on Rigida? Interestingly, I was riding Rigida thirty years and more ago, and I'd quite forgotten them.
JohnW
Re: Choosing a rim
JohnW wrote:... the key on the following page advises that “CD” indicates a ‘re-inforced oxide surface, which gives 150 – 400 times greater resistance’. My question is, greater resistance to what?
Mavic, of course, is French, so this blurb will be a translation. And the French language is seriously lacking in respect of technical vocabulary, so that the word "resistance" is pressed into service for just about any and every possible property of a material or product.
Resistance to what? Good question!
From other Mavic blurbs one can tell they mean to imply the oxide coating is thick enough significantly to boost the rim's strength and/or stiffness. It isn't, not significantly. But I grant you it'll resist surface scratching and corrosion.
Chris Juden
One lady owner, never raced or jumped.
One lady owner, never raced or jumped.