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I read the review of these wheels in the magazine (issue 116 I think) but wondered if anyone else in STW is using the 29er version, or has been using them? The reason I ask is because I'm thinking of buying some to put on my Cotic RocketMAX, that is configured in 140mm front and rear. Wheels I'm currently using have 30mm internal width aluminium rims that are perfect for rough and rocky natural stuff, but can feel a bit OTT for a swift hour or two on easier 'XC' trail centre red routes (Sherwood Pines, Dalby etc). My idea is to use the wider heavier wheels for rough natural stuff, and have a nice light (but still 'trail friendly') set for trail centres and longer less rocky natural trail rides.
The thing that concerns me a bit with the Mavics, is that they get mixed reviews. The ST review mentions their springy comfort, but another review (by Guy Kesteven) reckons they're a bit twangy for aggressive riding. GK's review goes on to say "Start pushing them hard, ... and the 3D distortion — particularly as they unload out of corners and G-outs — can be momentarily, but significantly, disconcerting. There’s noticeable softness through the cranks too, and off-camber wander if you really stamp on the pedals."
Can you appreciate why I'm asking for any user feedback?!
I guess the term 'aggressive riding' is quite subjective - I'm not going to be doing any Enduro racing on the wheels, or flying off anything bigger about a 30cm drop, but fully kitted up, I probably weigh about 88kg. I do like leaning the bike right over on flat corners and changing direction quickly. I'm sure the Mavic's won't be complete noodles if I stray off piste at places like Glentress (y'know, onto Ho Chi Minh and stuff down from the mast), but at the same time, it's not going to be fun if they're twanging off things and getting skittery.
If anyone has experience of the XA Pro carbons, would you mind giving me some feedback please.
I got some recently, for about £850 from Tredz. I'm a bit of a lump (95 kg) and not noticed anything untoward - tbh they are wheels and can't really tell much difference between these and my old Arch on Hope's. They do spin along nicely. Only really used them down south on loamy stuff. They are on a 140mm / 130mm 29'er Intense Primer
so I wouldn't say I've given them a really work out on Alpine or Lakes rock yet
don't know if that helps
Hi
I recently bought some in CRC clearout and they are really nice, light and responsive wheels.
Fitted to my Santa Cruz Tallboy LTc and used in Dales and NYM so far.
Not noticed any flex issues and I would say they are noticeably stiffer than the Crossmax XL Pro that preceded them.
I’m no nutter but I would also say I can push on a bit compared to my peers.
I agree completely with the stw review and very happy with them.
Not cheap but a very worthwhile upgrade.
Cheers
Steve
Yes, that does help thanks. Interesting that you’re using them on a Primer - I had a demo ride on one of those and thought it had a very similar feel to the RocketMAX (very nice!)
Hi Steve,
Just missed your reply while I was replying to charliemort. Another interesting reply, and one I can definitely relate to - I used to have a Tallboy LTc, and had Crossmax XL’s on it! ... one of my all time favourite bikes.
If my Crossmax XLs had Boost hubs, I’d be very tempted to stick them on my RocketMAX, but the lighter weight of the XA carbon really appeals. Interesting that you’ve found them stiffer than the XL’s - sounds like they might really perk up the bikes handling.
Thanks for the feedback.
I think a bunch of this depends on your weight as well as riding preferences. Not to mention the differences can be hard to pick out without back to back testing of different wheels - subjectively, they feel smaller than the difference between a good and bad day to me, but back to back, the differences between wheelsets in that grouptest were night and day.
At just over 5'7" and 72Kgs kitted up, I find the compliance in the carbon Mavics perfect for me, and that seems to translate into grip and confidence. They don't give me any line choice headaches. I seem to like similar compliance in frames and handlebars too.
You've always got to take peoples reviews with a pinch of salt. People buy products with a huge variety in expectations of what they want out of them, many will be purchasing not the optimal product for what they want because of pricing or availability or something being on sale, and some will be just ignorant of the product and not able to assess if they're the right tool for the job. Most of the dissatisfaction will be due to people not matching up their requirements and expectations with the right product rather than the product not being a good product.
How many time on here do you get someone slating a product quickly followed by people saying they have no problem with them.
Mavic are hardly a tin pot make, they know what they're doing and so long as you are using the wheels for the application they are intended then i'm pretty sure they will be fine.
**** me that is weapons grade guff, even for a bike journalist.
weapons grade guff
I think for the most part, journos have simply run out of normal words to use.
I think it should be isolated from the OP's post for maximum weapons-grade-bullshittertainment value
“Start pushing them hard, … and the 3D distortion — particularly as they unload out of corners and G-outs — can be momentarily, but significantly, disconcerting. There’s noticeable softness through the cranks too, and off-camber wander if you really stamp on the pedals.”
Marvellous.
Did recall a thread discussing an issue with the hub - https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/weird-problem-with-new-mavic-hub-axle-wont-fit/
“Start pushing them hard, … and the 3D distortion — particularly as they unload out of corners and G-outs — can be momentarily, but significantly, disconcerting. There’s noticeable softness through the cranks too, and off-camber wander if you really stamp on the pedals.”
I'd love to see how he could measure and indeed quantify movement in three separate planes about the wheel axle while isolating the effects of the ever so slightly squishy air filled rubber thing with purposely bendy / flexy / tacky (call them what you want) tread blocks that encases it, let alone flex in pivots, bearings, frame, etc. That really is taking bike journo speak to a whole new interstellar plane of utter bullshit.
He's got to sell paper/bandwidth, not facts.
That really is taking bike journo speak to a whole new interstellar plane of utter bullshit.
Nice😆
Hey Nach, I’m guessing you’re the guy that did the wheel grouptest for Singletrack(?) - thanks for the additional info, especially your weight, as I’d wondered this when I read the review. It’s good to get feedback from riders of a decent weight range - for what I’m intending to use them for...and the discount price:)), I think I’ll take a punt on them.
The hub/axle issues in the other thread are a little concerning, so I’ll give the back wheel a careful test fit first. Having said that, I’ve run a couple of Mavic wheelsets for a while and never had issues.
Yes, I did the grouptest. I've run these and some alloy XA Elites without encountering that axle clearance issue.
I have the 27.5 versions on my Bird Aeris 120. £550 from Wiggle so worth a punt. I’m 80kg kitted up. They roll really quickly, have a great pick up, go in the direction they are pointed and do not have any 1-D, 2-D or 3-D issues I can discern 🙂
The tyres they come with are hilarious but props to Mavic for supplying tubeless valves, taped rims and even some sealant. I was a bit worried at 26mm internal they’d be a bit narrow but 2.3 tyres come up really nicely, and effortless on Tubeless. No issues with Axles or anything else. I really like them.
I heard - but didn’t check - that Mavic were getting out of the carbon MTB game- I wondered if that’s why the set I bought were such good value.
Woah, £550 for a carbon wheelset from a 'proper' brand - crikey Alex, you did well there. Good to hear you're getting on well with them. Is it the Quest Pro tyres that you've got? They look a bit Maxxis Ardent-esque, so I wondered if they might be OK on the back. My last experience of a Maxxis Ardent on the front didn't go well! :))
The ones I got with the XA Elites were a bit fragile. A hundred or so metres of a trail down a rocky stream bed put about five holes in the tread at the back, when other tyres cope just fine with it. The tread is fine for a back tyre though.
I heard – but didn’t check – that Mavic were getting out of the carbon MTB game- I wondered if that’s why the set I bought were such good value
looks like just a new model for 2019
https://shop.mavic.com/en-gb/xa-elite-carbon-rv1024.html#1028=3283