mavic rims suck?

Tim McNamara wrote:

The MA3- indeed the entire Mavic line IMHO- is crap. The last good
Mavic rim was the MA2 in polished aluminum. There are vocal
defenders of Mavic who will rise to this as they always do, but
frankly if you're over about 140 lbs stay away from this company's
products. If you can, stay away from anodized rims as they are prone
to early failure by cracking around the spoke holes.

I have a pair of Open 4CD rims that were built into wheels (by me,
probably fairly badly) nearly a decade ago. I jump potholes, ride off
kerbs and weigh 180lb. There is no sign of cracking. Maybe the problem
is Mavic quality control and some bad ones are getting through?

I have no particular love for Mavic and would just as readily use Campag
rims...except they've discontinued my favourite Omegas.

Mike S. wrote:

'scuse me, but exactly how many of these "crap" rims do you actually
have personal experience with?

Personal experience is not necessary. Anyone with half an education in
mechanical engineering and/or materials science can assess the damage and tell
what caused it. One would hope Mavic would be doing this, but apparently they
don't care. Imagine that -- a business who doesn't care as long as the product
still sells...

...or are you just spouting off stuff you've read on the internet?

Crack a book on the subject, or take an engineering class, and you'll be able to
"spout off" too.

Matt O.

O
You should apply your obvious patience and attention to detail (as
evidenced by your planes) to learning how to build a good set of
wheels. I build my own and ride 36 hole CXP 33's on campy 10 hubs and
32 hole OP's also on campy 10.

I did not build the wheel I had a local shop do it. they guys have been doing it
for 20 years and are really good.
but my rides are a bit rough as the streets are not always flat (G)

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

One would hope Mavic would be doing this, but apparently they
don't care. Imagine that -- a business who doesn't care as long as the product
still sells...

it's sad but corporations show this fact a lot.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 18:15:32 GMT, "Matt O'Toole"
wrote:

Mike S. wrote:

'scuse me, but exactly how many of these "crap" rims do you actually
have personal experience with?

Personal experience is not necessary. Anyone with half an education in
mechanical engineering and/or materials science can assess the damage and tell
what caused it. One would hope Mavic would be doing this, but apparently they
don't care. Imagine that -- a business who doesn't care as long as the product
still sells...

Which lays the blame for the ongoing ****tiness of the rims at the
blind brand loyalist's feet. Unfortunately, even companies who are
willing to make products which aren't junk are forced to jazz them up
with silly features to stay in the market. It's a sad state of
affairs for people who want equipment that is reasonably durable.

(Pete Cresswell) wrote:
RE/

a closer look reveled that the
rim was cracked around the spoke and it was pulling out.


I'm about 220# and I've toasted three Mavic 517s. On each the spokes were
starting to pull out around the ferrules and there were cracks around same. Not
just some ferrules - all of them.

My take is that the 517 just isn't designed for use by somebody my weight. I've
since switched to a 617 (double ferrule) for my rear wheel.

618, I use them, too. My 517 split down the inside of the spoke bed.

Greg


--
"Destroy your safe and happy lives before it is too late,
the battles we fought were long and hard,
just not to be consumed by rock n' roll..." - The Mekons

"Tim McNamara" wrote in message
...

The MA3- indeed the entire Mavic line IMHO- is crap. The last good
Mavic rim was the MA2 in polished aluminum. There are vocal
defenders of Mavic who will rise to this as they always do, but
frankly if you're over about 140 lbs stay away from this company's
products. If you can, stay away from anodized rims as they are prone
to early failure by cracking around the spoke holes.

I weigh 205lbs, use Mavic Open Pros, built by myself, a novice. 3000 miles
and no problems whatsoever...

"Zog The Undeniable" wrote in message
...
Tim McNamara wrote:

The MA3- indeed the entire Mavic line IMHO- is crap. The last good
Mavic rim was the MA2 in polished aluminum. There are vocal
defenders of Mavic who will rise to this as they always do, but
frankly if you're over about 140 lbs stay away from this company's
products. If you can, stay away from anodized rims as they are prone
to early failure by cracking around the spoke holes.

I have a pair of Open 4CD rims that were built into wheels (by me,
probably fairly badly) nearly a decade ago. I jump potholes, ride off
kerbs and weigh 180lb. There is no sign of cracking. Maybe the problem
is Mavic quality control and some bad ones are getting through?

I have no particular love for Mavic and would just as readily use Campag
rims...except they've discontinued my favourite Omegas.


Mmmmmm Omega XLs......

I'm STILL trying to find a pair. I found some tubies, but no clinchers.

Oh well.

Mike

"Chris B." wrote in message
...
On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 18:15:32 GMT, "Matt O'Toole"
wrote:

Mike S. wrote:

'scuse me, but exactly how many of these "crap" rims do you actually
have personal experience with?

Personal experience is not necessary. Anyone with half an education in
mechanical engineering and/or materials science can assess the damage and
tell
what caused it. One would hope Mavic would be doing this, but apparently
they
don't care. Imagine that -- a business who doesn't care as long as the
product
still sells...

Which lays the blame for the ongoing ****tiness of the rims at the
blind brand loyalist's feet. Unfortunately, even companies who are
willing to make products which aren't junk are forced to jazz them up
with silly features to stay in the market. It's a sad state of
affairs for people who want equipment that is reasonably durable.

How F#$%-ing reasonably durable do you want? For every person spouting off
with "Mavic is crap!" there are hundreds of rims out there with NO PROBLEMS.
I know of guys riding new Mavic rims, old Mavic rims, and even somewhere in
the middle. More often than not, the reason they get replaced is accidents.

I'm not particularly enamored of Mavic rims, but bashing them constantly is
getting on my nerves. I'd suggest that we take a poll of how long we've
been riding Mavic rims and the problems we've had.

I've had two Mavic rims in 18 years of riding that failed by cracking at the
nipples. The rest of the wheels I've ever ridden have been fine.

You?

Mike

"Matt O'Toole" wrote in message
...
Mike S. wrote:

'scuse me, but exactly how many of these "crap" rims do you actually
have personal experience with?

Personal experience is not necessary. Anyone with half an education in
mechanical engineering and/or materials science can assess the damage and
tell
what caused it. One would hope Mavic would be doing this, but apparently
they
don't care. Imagine that -- a business who doesn't care as long as the
product
still sells...

So you ARE talking out your ass. Gotcha.

...or are you just spouting off stuff you've read on the internet?

Crack a book on the subject, or take an engineering class, and you'll be
able to
"spout off" too.

Matt O.

Maybe I've been "lucky" in the 18 years I've been riding, but somehow I
doubt it... See my post above poll.

Mike