Wheelset: Roval Traversee VS. CrossMax ST Disc

[Krztaco]

Which ones to buy?

• Do not consider cost
• I'd classify my riding as an All Mountain rider....riding way more XC than hardcore drops, downhill, etc.
• The wheelset is for my Ellsworth Moment
• 20mm Front Through Axle

That's it...you make the call or post a comment.

I'm leaning towards the Roval's due to the lightness and warranty that comes along with a Specialized Product. The CrossMax ST Disc wheels look pretty sick though.

Thanks for your help.

KRZ

[tbowren]

I can't compare the two because I don't have enough info, but I will tell you my buddy just bought a set of the Roval's for his Yeti 575 and he LOVES them. He used to break spokes monthly, and so far the wheel is holding up well.

[freekengo]

I don't know about the rest of you guys but I couldn't keep the Mavic freehub from killing itself. Went through 4 freehub body on a crossmax XL within a year and vowed to never buy another mavic hub again. Mavic's stand on their product was less than stellar.... when the first freehub blew apart, I asked the tech what caused it and they told me that it was neglect on my side(had the wheel set for 3weeks). Second hub - serviced every other week, still blew apart and they gave me the same answer! Third hub - serviced every week, still went away in a month, same answer from mavic. Forth hub - sold wheelset. I put on maybe 150miles per week. There should be no reason that anyone should have to service their freehub every week! When I talked to the tech and asked how often the service needed to be done, he could not give me a straight answer.... If anyone else has taken the mavic freehub apart, it's amazing to me that they would put a unsealed bushing on a moving part on a product made to go offroad. dirt get's in between the bushing and the hub and starts to cut into the hub like a lathe.

On the Roval side, I have both the control and the traversee' and the DT star ratchet system have worked flawless.

Just my take on things.

[dfioc]

I have ST's on my Trance X and love them. Light, fast rolling and cool looking too.

[grk]

I had the same experience as freekengo with the mavic hubs. Destroyed them three times and then sold the wheels (Crossmax SL). I'm usually pretty gentle on my gear, but the freehub didn't last for me.

[Krztaco]

I know they've had a lot of problems and I would never buy them but are completely different to the ST Disc hubs.

KRZ

[freekengo]

Another thing that really get's me is the Mavic's MP3 program. It sort of works like when you shop at Best Buy and purchase anything electronics related and they try to sell you the "extended warranty" for a fee? What the heck? It pretty much sum's it up as "we know that you're gonna experience repeated problems with our product so before you have to buy a replacement hub, we'll take your money up front so you don't feel so bad when it goes bad.."

Originally Posted by Krztaco

I know they've had a lot of problems and I would never buy them but are completely different to the ST Disc hubs.

KRZ

Not really, the freehub still has no seals on it the last time I checked on it. The exterior looks different but the freehub design has not changed as far as I know. I could be wrong, but looked the same when the wrench at the lbs showed me the internals...

[onegymrat]

Originally Posted by freekengo

Another thing that really get's me is the Mavic's MP3 program. It sort of works like when you shop at Best Buy and purchase anything electronics related and they try to sell you the "extended warranty" for a fee? What the heck? It pretty much sum's it up as "we know that you're gonna experience repeated problems with our product so before you have to buy a replacement hub, we'll take your money up front so you don't feel so bad when it goes bad.."

I actually think differently on this. I think that both companies know that the warranty program that they charge far outweighs the services needed. No way it's profitable if they know all that stuff will go bad and they have to spend man hours fixing...well, at least with Best Buy. I've had my Crossmax STs for 6 months now. Granted, only averaging one ride per week so far but zero problems.

[freekengo]

Originally Posted by onegymrat

I actually think differently on this. I think that both companies know that the warranty program that they charge far outweighs the services needed. No way it's profitable if they know all that stuff will go bad and they have to spend man hours fixing...well, at least with Best Buy. I've had my Crossmax STs for 6 months now. Granted, only averaging one ride per week so far but zero problems.

The reason I came to my conclusion is that Mavic is the only one(that I know of) that has this sort of program. This tells me that they are trying to pacify a situation to try to lessen the load on one and try to distribute to many. It's a win-win for the mfgr. They get money to pacify the people who complain. It's great for business, they in a essence getting into the insurance business! Power in numbers!

[NO GO]

Two of the regulars I ride with have each blown up their Mavic hubs twice. Both now ride on CK hubs.
I have another friend on Mavic Crossmax wheels and his have been flawless.
Difference between the guys w/ problems to the guy w/o problems.......about 100 pounds, 6" in height and style of riding (All mountain vs. XC)

[freekengo]

The biggest problem that I had with mine was that the bushing on the inner side would get somehow contaminated and cut into the hub side. hubs X 4 = different mfgr! Now a proud owner of both roval wheelsets(dt hubs), bonty race x lite(dt hubs), chris king on 819's. I see no problems with their spokes or rims, I just have a huge problem with their hubs!

[madrider]

I've had a set of crossmax sx's for about 6 months with no issues to date. Although I'm not sure if it's the same hub (?). Maybe the wheels from the Path were built better

I didn't get offered a warranty, but product warranties are pure and simple money makers and is a better indication of their business practices than their product. I own a small business and we started offering product warranties 6-7 years ago when they first became popular and customers were asking for them (?). They're a pain to maintain; I wouldn't classify their product because they offer a purchased warranty.

[freekengo]

I'm just bitter at Mavic for not honoring their warranty within the first year. I really take offense to company taking the "not maintained properly" excuse. Unless Mavic has the same service interval as a Ferrari.......

[thephat]

I have the Roval wheels on my Ventana. They are sick light. The DT hub internals are very smoove, and should be non stop reliable. I have even taken the wheels on shuttle missions and chased guys on DH bikes around, and I still have no dents, or any damage. I have yet to retrue them. I usually build my own wheels, but these are lighter than anything I could build.

I like the Crossmax for added stiffness, and true UST. I am not a fan of Mavic hubs. The maintenance is quick and easy, but if you don't do it frequently, you can have issues.

Mavic recomends servicing the hub every 20 hours of riding.

Originally Posted by freekengo

I'm just bitter at Mavic for not honoring their warranty within the first year. I really take offense to company taking the "not maintained properly" excuse. Unless Mavic has the same service interval as a Ferrari.......

[SSinGA]

I vote neither. Get a set built professionally.

[thephat]

BTW,


Our STR price on both of the wheelsets mentioned is about 20% below MSRP, as they are already priced about 10% below, and then you get another 10%.

Thanks

[freekengo]

+1 for THE PATH! just picked up the "control" wheelset from you at a significant discount! Thanks Tani! I'll be by later for a few other things soon!

[Krztaco]

Originally Posted by thephat

BTW,


Our STR price on both of the wheelsets mentioned is about 20% below MSRP, as they are already priced about 10% below, and then you get another 10%.

Thanks

I've been struggling with this decision for about 6 months now.....when my tax return shows up....I'll be picking my new wheels up too.

From The Path of coarse!

KRZ

[katonk]

This link might help you understand what's going on with Mavic's hubs. There's some interesting stuff in the comments. It appears that the issue with grit getting into the hub was resolved in 2007.

http://roguemechanic.typepad.com/rog...es_a_mavi.html

[Krztaco]

Originally Posted by SSinGA

I vote neither. Get a set built professionally.

I've researched this to the max....I simply can't put together a custom rim/hub combo to get close to the lightness either of the options offer.

Keep in mind I need a 20mm through axle Front hub.

KRZ