Mavic X139 Rim Question

[AlexMedic]

Just Purchased a Giant NRS that came with Mavic X139 rims. I weigh
about 300lbs and am wondering if these rims would be strong enough for
me? I also have a pair of Ryno Lytes that I could use, but the Mavics
are lighter. Any suggestions??

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[Rocketman]

"AlexMedic" > wrote in message
om...
> Just Purchased a Giant NRS that came with Mavic X139 rims. I weigh
> about 300lbs and am wondering if these rims would be strong enough for
> me? I also have a pair of Ryno Lytes that I could use, but the Mavics
> are lighter. Any suggestions??

Alex, you're a big guy. Wheel strength is going to make a difference for
you (unless you like replacing rims often). I honestly don't know how well
the X139's will hold up for you; but I think a beefier wheelset would be a
very good upgrade. The Rhyno Lites would be a good choice, from what I've
read. They're pretty much the standard super-strength rim (unless you want
to go up into the extra-wide freeride and downhill-specific rims, which are
very heavy).

As many have said before, wheel build quality (specifically, evenly and
tightly tensioned spokes) is at least as important as the components of the
wheelset. It would be money well spent to take your machine-built OEM Giant
wheels to an expert wheel builder and have them stress relieve, tension and
fine-true the wheels. They'll definitely last *much* longer after such a
treatment. It really makes a difference.

An investment in some strong, well-built wheels will pay off for you.

Just my $.02.

-=Barry=-

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[David Kunz]

AlexMedic wrote:
> Just Purchased a Giant NRS that came with Mavic X139 rims. I weigh
> about 300lbs and am wondering if these rims would be strong enough for
> me? I also have a pair of Ryno Lytes that I could use, but the Mavics
> are lighter. Any suggestions??

Mavic rims are brittle. None of them has ever lasted for me -- they
either stress crack at the spoke holes or between the spoke holes under
the rim tape depending on the spoke tension of the build. I weight 225
(I started at over 300) and they do this even when I've gotten down
below 210 for a stretch.

The Rhinos will probably last and last :). Sell the Mavics.

If you decide to test the Mavics yourself (they've never failed
critically for me -- never collapsed). Once a week (or so -- depending
on how often you ride), clean the rims and take a look at each spoke
hole to see if there're any cracks at the eyelets. If you have rim
brakes, you can tell whether the rim has split under the rim tape
because the brakes will start going "bump-bump-bump" because the rim
will be wider where it's split and you won't be able to adjust it out by
truing. Otherwise, I'd pull the tire and rim tape at least once a month
to check. The valve hole is usually where it starts.

At your weight, you can't afford to be a weight weeney -- you need to
consider strength first. Even at 225, my bike shop has learned not to
push the new light weight stuff at me -- unless they're in the mood for
warranty returns of broken parts :). When I try a new part, I think
that they cringe every time I come in for a while :).

David

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