Mavic Wheels - Idiots Guide

[Matttymm]

Can anyone explain the different between Mavic rims in terms of quality, weight-performance.
I see
117
217
231
281
317
I see CD and SUP and SBP variants.
How’s a fella to choose ?

 

[madjh]

And what about the 220, good light rims.

 

[Matttymm]

LOL. Exactly my point.
Which ones are the lightest and best.

 

[PeterPerfect]

Well you can certainly say which is the lightest but the best depends on what you're going to use them for.

 

[Matttymm]

You tease. Any advice on use would help also.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Where do you want to start...

231/261 are the same early 90s rim. They retro rim of the era. 261 is just wider.

Then the 117 came out with its new fangled style and coolness.
But they then topped that with the 217 bringing strong rims with deep, excellent quality braking surfaces and a better join in the hoop.
(this then became the 517 and eventually the 717, the last of the great top dog Mavic XC retro style rim brake rims).

They tucked in a 317 as a cheap 517 to replace the 117.

 

[Matttymm]

I’ve got a 1995 build.
So let’s assume XTR hubs
What would be the very best rims.
Not too heavy riding. Light as possible.

 

[Matttymm]

At the moment I’m looking at 217 CD and 231 CD but don’t know the difference.
Was 317 an upgrade to 217

what is Sup and SUB and SBP

which rims aren’t going to fall apart or have known issues.

 

[dyna-ti]

I’ve got a 1995 build.
So let’s assume XTR hubs
What would be the very best rims.
Not too heavy riding. Light as possible.

Im a fan of 517's, i'd recommend those. Others may not, but i've used them on several bikes and find them plenty stiff.

 

[FluffyChicken]

CD linked in another thread for the original dark anodising. (and linked to bikepro for a read)
SBP is the plain silver anodised version of the rim.
SUP the fancy welded hoop joint of the 117/217 etc.

You missed the, 230, this is a lightweight 231 made from tin foil and came with the original TIB Ti Anodised... The gold-bronze-ish colouring.
Would dint at the sight of a stone.
Excellent rims still for weight weenies.