Cycling UK Forum

I need to get a new Rear wheel for one of our touring hard tails, and was quandering over which Rim to have.
the hub will be Shimano XT and the quantity of spokes will be of the 36 variety.

Has any one got any thoughts on either the Mavic 317 or the Mavic 717 Rim.

Very good MTB rims; they are very strong for their weight, but they are not the strongest rims. Extended use with heavy loads may well risk cracking the rims near the spoke holes.

If load lugging is your objective, I'd suggest considering a heavier, stronger rim for the rear.

cheers

Are you using 26 inch wheels or 700c?

Both rims are good for touring. I have used the 317 laced to a deore hub with 36 spokes and never had a problem. As far as I understand the 717 rim is a 'higher' level rim, it is cerainly more expensive - apart from that I am not sure what else makes it 'better' than the lower end rims.

Both would do the job though, just depends on your budget.

A cheaper option all togeher is Rigida rims from Spa Cycles.

After my own experience with Mavic rims and their propensity for developing cracks, I would avoid these and go for Rigida or similar.

georgew wrote:After my own experience with Mavic rims and their propensity for developing cracks, I would avoid these and go for Rigida or similar.

I've not had problems with Mavic rims apart from wearing them out

Others have had problems with the recent quality of Rigida (see discussion from this post onwards for example). Rigida are now RYDE so they are somewhat of an unknown quantity.

Rick.

I would recommend a Mavic rim for the front wheel (as it is more lightly loaded) but definitely not a Mavic for the rear wheel of a touring bike. I've had 2 Mavic XC717 rims crack on my MTB starting from the eyelets (MTB set up as a tourer with panniers but carrying only light loads). Also that was 1 rim 32h and 1 36h, conventionally laced and handbuilt. Mavic rims are light but not very durable in my experience.
-Does anybody have very good experience with another rim manufacturer, suitable for a touring bike?

I don't recommend Mavic rims these days, since I have had three crack prematurely at the spoke holes.

covmark wrote:I would recommend a Mavic rim for the front wheel (as it is more lightly loaded) but definitely not a Mavic for the rear wheel of a touring bike. I've had 2 Mavic XC717 rims crack on my MTB starting from the eyelets (MTB set up as a tourer with panniers but carrying only light loads). Also that was 1 rim 32h and 1 36h, conventionally laced and handbuilt. Mavic rims are light but not very durable in my experience.
-Does anybody have very good experience with another rim manufacturer, suitable for a touring bike?

+1

What made it worse was that it was a ceramic rim.

If you're into the 717 price bracket, then do look at the DT Swiss range. My tk 540 and x 455 rims have been superb and built up beautifully.

Hi,
I rebuilt my wheels on my MTB with XC 717 36h. Rim braked.
I have been using it for camping on off road over Dartmoor, thrown everything at it, all up bike weight 30 kgs and me at 85 - 80 kgs.
Stood up ok no cracks etc, but the rear wheel developed a clic clack noise when turned slowly. I think its the joining internal rivited block.
I think this is common of that rim.

Does it have to be Mavic?
If not I'd take a look at Rigida Sputniks or DRC MT19.
Edit:- They're every bit as good as Mavic

RickH wrote:.............I've not had problems with Mavic rims apart from wearing them out....................

My feelings, and experience entirely. I find that they're good while they last though.

I am open to suggestions but I come into Touring from Mountain biking and always had Mavics
I've done some pretty big Jumps and had some major crashes also hit some sizable rocks at speed and never had a wheel problem other than 1 slight buckle.

So, this is where I come from and converted a pair of hard tails into rough road tourers. things that are on my radar are outer hebs next month. Trans cambrian Way month after and the off road C2C Scotland inc General Wades Rd.

Hi,
Apart from the details mentioned last post (still using the rim) My other bikes have mavic rims tourer (which I use off road as well as camping) and racer.
Mavic are well respected as far as I know.
I want to replace rims on tourer ( rim wear ) and my first choice would be mavic If I could still get them 622 x 20.

123ttam wrote:I am open to suggestions but I come into Touring from Mountain biking and always had Mavics
I've done some pretty big Jumps and had some major crashes also hit some sizable rocks at speed and never had a wheel problem other than 1 slight buckle.

So, this is where I come from and converted a pair of hard tails into rough road tourers. things that are on my radar are outer hebs next month. Trans cambrian Way month after and the off road C2C Scotland inc General Wades Rd.

With touring, its fatigue that kills wheels, not maximum load for a few milliseconds.
Fatigue will break spokes at the elbow, or crack rims at the spoke hole, aided by corrosion.
Mavic make some nice light rigid rims, but if you find somebody who will build and stress-relieve wheels properly the spokes may outlast light rims, even on disc braked bikes.