MAVIC CROSSTRAIL DISC WHEELSET

Affordable do-it-all hoops built to last

If you want to improve your bike’s performance, the best bang for your buck is in a new wheelset. A lighter wheelset will enable you to roll with greater efficiency and get the most out of your ride. The Crosstrail Disc wheelset is a sure-fire upgrade that won’t break the bank. These wheels are intended for trail and all-mountain riding. With a $600 price tag, they are a great value, infused with lots of trickle-down technology from their more expensive counterparts.

Tech features: The Crosstrails went on a diet this season, dropping a claimed 5.3 ounces from their previous incarnation. Mavic was able to achieve this weight savings with a redesigned front hub. They also shaved away material on the rims using Mavic’s ISM (inter spoke milling) technology. The rims and hubs are made from Mavic’s Maxtal alloy, which they claim is 30 percent more fatigue resistant than conventional alloys. Mavic opts to drill out only one of the two rim walls, allowing for a stronger, stiffer, UST (universal standard for tubeless) rim. The Crosstrails also feature bladed, straight-pull, stainless steel spokes with alloy nipples. Mavic’s FTS-X freehub body is simple and easily serviced; it features strengthened steel pawls and self-locking axle screws that allow it to endure heavy abuse.

The Crosstrail rims have an internal width of 19 millimeters. The hubs are center-lock rotor compatible and also come with adapters to run conventional six-bolt rotors. The front hub can be run with either a 15-millimeter thru-axle or 9-millimeter quick release. The rear hub uses standard 135- millimeter spacing with a quick release. The front wheel weighed in at l pound, 11.3 ounces, and the rear wheel was 2 pounds, 3.8 ounces.

Field test results: The setup of our Crosstrails went off without a hitch. The tires were easy to run tubeless thanks to the rim’s UST profile. We used conventional six-bolt brake rotors paired with Mavic’s center lock to six-bolt adapter (included with the wheels). This system is pretty awesome; you can install rotors in a matter of seconds—no more fumbling with T25 rotor bolts.

The Crosstrail’s hubs are smooth, and the freehub body is quiet. Cassette changes are easy thanks to the steel freehub body. Many companies utilize aluminum freehub bodies for weight savings. The problem is that the cassettes will dig into the soft alloy spines and place notches in them, making cassette removal difficult. The steel freehub body, although not the lightest, is a wise move. Mavic’s two-pawl engagement system isn’t as quick to engage as other systems, but only a back-to-back comparison would reveal this to most riders. These hubs got the job done and never once came loose. The FTS-X freehub proved strong and durable.
 The asymmetrical rims on the Crosstrails proved durable and stiff. The straight-pull spokes brought the whole system together nicely. These wheels were remarkably stiff and accelerated nicely. The stiffness was apparent under out-of-the-saddle efforts and in hard cornering conditions. Our Crosstrails enabled us to hold sketchy lines with confidence. The light, snappy nature of these wheels allowed us to change directions quickly and effortlessly when the trails got twisty. We rode these wheels hard and have yet to knock them out of true. We’re impressed. If you’re looking for a way to put your trailbike on a diet without burning a hole in your wallet, look no further than the Mavic Crosstrails.



Reprinted from our September 2011 issue. Like us on Facebook