[The Kadvang]

Get Sun cr-18's. I rode a set for almost a year doing hardcore urban curb drops and riding down grassy hills and only had to true them after every ride. They get my vote for best rim ever, they're rim brake compatible too.

The rim brake compatability really does it for me, those cr-18 are soo dreamy. I completely destroyed the stock wheelset on my p.2, and am now saving for 729s on king hubs. Overkill, yes, but it makes me feel good about myself.

 

[Kornphlake]

Yeah, I'm not quoted in your sig anymore!!!

 

[punkassean]

yeah I just don't like that it is air sprung.

Have you ridden a Fox TALAS equipped fork that had the proper pressure for your weight and riding style? I love mine and I never thought I would say that about an air fork...

 

[punkassean]

Your experience virtually mimics mine. I had problems with some weaker rims so I decided to lace up some D321's. After a year of mashing on them, they were still perfect so I built a nice set of Hugi rear Stealth front hubs up to D521's and haven't looked back. Those same rims are still on my DH bike to this day and holding up perfect. I have launched some fairly gnarly stuff and dragged them through the rocks without problem. The weight savings between the two rims in only like 1/2lb for the set but if you build with DB or even TB Alpine spokes and alloy nips the savings gets closer to a full pound or so. A lot of people will knock alloy nipples but as long as you grease them when building the wheel and always use the proper spoke wrench they will be fine. Worst case is about once a year you might replace a few of them...

So in short I would say if you are a relatively light/smooth rider, sell what ya got and build up a nice set of light/strong D521's/EX721's.

Hmm. Perfect thread. I've been wondering the same thing myself.

I personally have run Rhyno Lite XLs for the past 3 years, on multiple wheel builds. They've held up great.

Well, I sold that bike and now have a bike that has a wheelset with 321s on it (it's New old stock so yes they are the older 321s), but I'm wondering if I should sell that wheelset and get one with EX 721s instead? The Rhyno Lite XLs were 565g and they held up just fine for what I did. Both the Mavic's are heavier so I'm wondering if the 729s would be overkill and heavy on the XC rides.

Any thoughts from those who have owned both?

 

[Brian HCM#1]

I truly believe that 721's are if not every bit as strong, at least 95% so as 729's.

I have had both and speak from personal experiences.

I think Mavic has the specs online...

The only real weakness of a 721 are the single eyelets, remember this rim was NEVER designed to be a disc brake rim.

 

[kidwoo]

The only real weakness of a 721 are the single eyelets, remember this rim was NEVER designed to be a disc brake rim.

I've got a pair of old D521 rims on my freeride bike and a pair of 521/721 rims on my jump bike. The ones on my freeride bike are my old downhill wheels. Is there a difference between the two because of the D? I've yet to see any eyelet stress cracks on 521/721s of any sort.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

I've got a pair of old D521 rims on my freeride bike and a pair of 521/721 rims on my jump bike. The ones on my freeride bike are my old downhill wheels. Is there a difference between the two because of the D? I've yet to see any eyelet stress cracks on 521/721s of any sort.

Nope same rims, I too have never seen failure at the eyelets myself and have had great luck using them myself. Mavic just wont waranty the rim if an eyelet is ripped out due to disc braking forces.

 

[punkassean]

The only real weakness of a 721 are the single eyelets, remember this rim was NEVER designed to be a disc brake rim.

I believe the D521/EX721 was designed to be compatible with either rim or disc brakes and that both types of stresses were taken into account. The older 121 was rim specific to the best of my knowledge. I have seen more eyelets damaged on D321's than on D521's, I almost think that the double-eyelet is too strong for the surrounding rim material and can therefore pull through. I also think that the square profile of D521 makes it stronger than the domed shape of the D231 for certain types of impacts. It is possible that with alloy nipples the head of the nipple would break before it would pull through the rim sort of like a break-away der. hanger.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

I'm just going by what Mavic told me thats all.

 

[punkassean]

I'm just going by what Mavic told me thats all.

That was your first mistake, NEVER BELIEVE A !!!

 

[Brian HCM#1]

True........................true

 

[punkassean]

Anybody have any thoughts about lacing wheels for discs as per Mavic's recommendations?

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Anybody have any thoughts about lacing wheels for discs as per Mavic's recommendations?

I usually stick with their recomendations for all rims, haven't had any probs yet.

 

[kidwoo]

I believe the D521/EX721 was designed to be compatible with either rim or disc brakes and that both types of stresses were taken into account. The older 121 was rim specific to the best of my knowledge. I have seen more eyelets damaged on D321's than on D521's, I almost think that the double-eyelet is too strong for the surrounding rim material and can therefore pull through. I also think that the square profile of D521 makes it stronger than the domed shape of the D231 for certain types of impacts. It is possible that with alloy nipples the head of the nipple would break before it would pull through the rim sort of like a break-away der. hanger.

But only a silly silly man would use alloy nipples on a wheel he wants to be able to true, re-dish or keep around for a while.

As far as a comparison, you may be right but I've still never retired either a 321 or a 521. 4th year on a pair of 521s, on 3rd year of 321s. The sidewalls don't look so great but they're all still true and pretty round.

 

[kidwoo]

I usually stick with their recomendations for all rims, haven't had any probs yet.

You've had SEVERAL problems with rims lately.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

You've had SEVERAL problems with rims lately.

Thats because of the stupid rocks :mumble: Actually despite the big flat spot in my 1 ride old 729, the spokes are all tight and the rim is still true. Mavic makes that lacing recomendations for braking purposes.

 

[Acadian]

Mavic makes that lacing recomendations for braking purposes.

which you are an expert in!!


braking that is...

 

[kidwoo]

Thats because of the stupid rocks :mumble:

No it's not. I hit the same rocks...probably harder. Must be something else :devil:

Incidently have you ever cracked an eyelet on a 321 or a 521? I'm trying to think if I've ever even seen it happen on anyone elses bike. Sun/Intense rims, WTB I've seen but not the bigger mavics.

Edit: got one lucky winner, anybody else?

 

[Brian HCM#1]

No it's not. I hit the same rocks...probably harder. Must be something else :devil:

Incidently have you ever cracked an eyelet on a 321 or a 521? I'm trying to think if I've ever even seen it happen on anyone elses bike. Sun/Intense rims, WTB I've seen but not the bigger mavics.

Edit: got one lucky winner, anybody else?

Its probably more my ridding style, after all I'm so smooth

 

[The Kadvang]

Yeah, I'm not quoted in your sig anymore!!!

Well I thought it was funny

 

[Curb Hucker]

No it's not. I hit the same rocks...probably harder. Must be something else :devil:

Incidently have you ever cracked an eyelet on a 321 or a 521? I'm trying to think if I've ever even seen it happen on anyone elses bike. Sun/Intense rims, WTB I've seen but not the bigger mavics.

Edit: got one lucky winner, anybody else?

i pulled 4 threaded eyelets out of my 823s when i finally broke em

 

[Brian HCM#1]

i pulled 4 threaded eyelets out of my 823s when i finally broke em

Well that explains it stop pulling your spokes

 

[punkassean]

I have seen multiple (abused) 321's crack right across an eyelet and also at the valve stem hole. Most of them have surface cracks and the actual rim will hold up much longer though. The only Mavic rim I've done that to is a 517 (light XC rim). I blew it in half...


That reminds me...anyone got an extra 32h hard ano. X517 laying around?

 

[-BB-]

Rhyno Lite XL's

 

[Brian HCM#1]

That reminds me...anyone got an extra 32h hard ano. X517 laying around?

I have a couple old 517's laying around in silver.

 

[punkassean]

I was hoping for a hard ano since I still have the front wheel built up in perfect condition. I am kind of a stickler for matching rims...

Thanks though!

 

[Acadian]

I have seen multiple (abused) 321's crack right across an eyelet and also at the valve stem hole. Most of them have surface cracks and the actual rim will hold up much longer though. The only Mavic rim I've done that to is a 517 (light XC rim). I blew it in half...


That reminds me...anyone got an extra 32h hard ano. X517 laying around?

I've done the same to a 321 and recently to one 521.

BTW...Sun bike shop in milpitas (www.sunbikeshop.com) has some CD 521's in stock...that is where I got my replacement.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

I was hoping for a hard ano since I still have the front wheel built up in perfect condition. I am kind of a stickler for matching rims...

Thanks though!

I hear yeah, let me know if you ever want them for cheap, they have been sitting for many years.

 

[punkassean]

If I can't find a matching CD, maybe I'll buy both silvers off ya and re-lace the front to match...

Thanks!