...Factory Mavic or Custom XT Entry Level Wheel?

MilesXC

Ok guys... it's nearly payday, and I desperately need a new rear wheel, i was wondering which out of these two you would choose....

The handbuilt comes in cheap at £53.99...

Shimano XT Disc Hub Rear M756
Black 32h 6-Bolt

Mavic XM317 Disc Rim
32h Black 26inch

DT Swiss Spokes Competition Stainless DB
Black 2mm-1.8mm

or maybe the Mavic Crossride at £69?

Cheers.
x

Chaka Ping

Or Merlin do XT with a mavic 717 for £64.

MilesXC

Or Merlin do XT with a mavic 717 for £64.

They sound pretty good, where have you seen them?

I guess this is a seperate question really, but do you think these wheels will be suitable for me?
I'm 15st ish, and ride mainly XC with some rough stuff thrown in.

canada16

Hey

I got crossrides, they look quite cool and I have hit them quite a bit and they are still going strong.

They are a bit heavy, so might look for something different when they go. Yes Im one of those.

bells0

Mavic XM719 with XT from merlin? [bit more £ but Merlin hand builds are supposed to be spot on]

Chaka Ping

MIles - on Merlin Cycles website, go to wheels - custom wheels - disc - rear

Not always easy to find what you want on there.

Merlin have a good reputation for building strong wheels - and I've never had cause for complaint in five wheels so far.

XT on 717 should be fine for you if they're well built and you're not going too mental. They are a bit narrow for any tyres bigger than 2.1 though - so think about a 719 or 819 instead if you think you might want to run a 2.3 or 2.4 tyre. (819 is the UST version).

jayson

The wheels on my Lobster were XT hubs with silver Mavic 717 rims and they never once went out of true in over 4 yrs of abuse in every condition u can imagine.

i would recommend Merlin wheels without any hesitation at all.