|   Mavic 317 vs Mavic 517 - recommendations | brundlefly
Jun 13, 2002 7:06 PM | | In the process of getting a new XC disc wheel set. I had decided on Mavic 317 Disc rims, Hope XC hubs, DT Revolution spokes/alloy nipples, but the wheel builder recommended against it, saying that that 317's are designed (spec.) for a 1.95 tire, and running anything wider than that will lead to tire rolling off the rim. I know people who successfully run this combination - so what's the deal?
He recommended 517's, which aren't disc specific, but same (advertised) weight.
Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated.
Thanks. |
| That guy is in the wrong career path... | Bianchi4Me
Jun 13, 2002 8:09 PM | | Your builder there has a tremendous gift for fiction. He's wasting his talents as a wheel builder. Somewhere there is a politician who desperately needs a man of those talents.
The Mavic X517 is, in my subjective opinion, one of the last rims I'd consider for a disc build. It has a very thin spokebed, and has a reputation for sometimes developing cracks around the spoke eyelets on the drive-side of the rear wheel. The REASON it cracks on that side of that wheel is because that is where the most intense pulling forces are placed on the spokes. Now a disc wheel transmits even more intense pulling forces on the spokebed, so why would you pick a rim that you know isn't terribly strong in that department? Doesn't mean that it wouldn't work, but why put yourself out on a limb like that if you don't have to. So much for my opinion, here are some facts...
Disc lacing voids the warrantee on the X517 rim (gee, wonder why?), so if it does crack, even the same day you pick up the wheels, you're stuck with it as far as Mavic is concerned.
Click on this link (assuming you have adobe reader) and take a peek at the width measurements of the X317 and X517. Might have to use the maginifying glass button to make it easier to see. Not much difference in width, is there? So that doesn't explain why the X517 would allegedly be so much better at holding onto a tire.
Now click on this link and then click the gray button that says "tire dimensions". You'll see that Mavic rates these rims for up to a 2.5" tire. |
| anyone else have opinion on this? | brundlefly
Jun 13, 2002 9:00 PM | | thanks for quick reply, bianchi4me. of course, this could just be a case of n=1. still, he did sound very convincing.
and yes, i had gone to the mavic site to preview tire dimension specs before posting
so you would have no problems recommending this x317 set-up? i am 120lb female mainly doing xc riding (race/epic) - no hucking but some old-school north-shore stuff.
thanks again |
| He probably had 517s in stock... | Metroid
Jun 14, 2002 7:41 AM | | so he wanted to sell those instead of ordering the 317s. That's the only possible reason I can think of that he would try to push you onto a 517. I would whole heartedly agree with everything Bianchi4Me said. Your guy is either lying or a complete bozo. Either way, he is full of sheet and I would go someplace else to get my wheels built. The wheel build is more important to the integrity of the wheel than the components. The 317 is a nice lightweight rim which should hold up fine if properly built and the tires are properly inflated. I might suggest going with DT SuperComp triple butted spokes instead of Revolutions. They are only about 16g heavier per wheel than Revs and will build a stiffer wheel. |
| There is no problem using the 317 | shiggy
Jun 14, 2002 8:42 AM | | A friend of mine runs them with 2.3" tires and he weighs 195 lbs.
Personally, I should have no concerns about running even bigger tires.
This wheelbuilder is bullsh!ting you, both in that the 517 is fine as a disc rim and that the 317 cannot use bigger tires. Who knows what else he is going to try to pass off as truth. I would find a ne builder! |
| anyone else have opinion on this? | fcphun
Jun 14, 2002 8:59 AM | | I have the 517 set up with Avid Discs, because the 317 wasn't available. I now have a year in on them (several thousand miles), and have had no problems. I weigh 175 and ride pretty technical stuff in Colorado, Utah, etc.
So it should work. HOWEVER...the 317s are now available, and I think it would make more sense to go with those.
One other suggestion--unless you have severe financial constraints, consider going UST at this point. I am actually thinking of rebuilding my wheels with the Mavic X3.1 rim- for discs and UST. The rim costs about $5 more than the 517 retail.
Cheers. |
| anyone else have opinion on this? | Hammerheadbikes
Jun 14, 2002 10:36 AM | | do yourself a favor and order from Mike (odds and endos)
the Hope XC hubs are very nice hubs but at a 125 lbs I would say get something lighter, like a set of Am classics on VXC rims from Mike..
Charles
Hammerheadbikes |
| thanks everyone... | brundlefly
Jun 14, 2002 12:19 PM | | Thanks for all responses. Based on them, I won't be going for the 517's. |
| more mental chewing gum. | KenoshaRipper
Jun 15, 2002 1:00 PM | | I built a 517 on a King Iso Disc hub, three cross. I have snapped everything from Klein Frames (Clown frames?) Fecalized Frames, BongRager seat tubes, etc. I am 195 pounds, and it is not fat. I have yet to fu*k up my spoke bed, event ripping trails like Kenosha Pass and Dakota Ridge here in Colorado.
I agree that wheel building has more of an impact on durablilty than components. I had Gravy, my old team mechanic, build me a two cross front way back before the first Rock Shox. I wound up folding an old Yeti Arc fork on a log, and the wheel just needed a quick true. Man is a genuis.
Point is, if you are serious about your hoops enough to worry about the 517 or 317 diffenrence, which you should be, then also be serious about who builds your hoops! I wish I had run the 317 but they were not around then.... |
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