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Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | City streets and Mount Hood | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | They held up for a year somehow | | Weaknesses: | Very soft material. Rim walls were eaten up by the brake pads just after one season. They go out of true very easily. Recently one spoke pulled out its nipple right through the socket. | | Similar Products Used: | Alex rims and other cheap Chinese POS. | | Bike Setup: | Rigid commuter bike for 20 mi. every day commute | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't buy these rims any more.
Soft rim material. Brake pads wear down rim wall very quickly.
These rims go out of true after about 200-300 miles.
They might be good for weekend riders.
I give them just two flaming chilis.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Univerity Falls Loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came on Bike | | Strengths: | Can be built into a light weight wheel.
Side wall has held up in foul weather
Going on 5yrs of abuse. | | Weaknesses: | I cant attribute this directly to the rim but the front was built with radially lacing and the wheel has quite a bit of side to side flex | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic 217, 221, 517
| | Bike Setup: | 98 Santa Cruz Heckler, Z1, XT Kit | | Bottom Line: | I have the Red Labels that came with the Santa Cruz XT kit in 98. The rear is laced 2x on the drive side and radial on the non drive to an XT hub. The front is radial laced to a white industies tracker. Im a 175lb aggressive rider and I have had Zero problems with the rims. They have held true and the side wall has not worn out even riding in a lot of wet weather. The wheels were well built and properly tensioned from Santa Cruz which I think has been a major factor in their reliability. I would not go with radial lacing in the future because I get brake rub due to side to side flex on the front wheel. All in all I have to give these rims/wheelset high marks. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
astro
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | cliff pratt, hull | | Strengths: | MAVIC/BONTRAGER MA40 - MB. Indestructible! Light weight. | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to get tyres on and off, sometimes IMPOSSIBLE! | | Similar Products Used: | MA6, WTB Powerbeam, various mavics. | | Bottom Line: | I've had these 36h rims for 12 years and they've stayed pretty well true for all that time. They were handbuilt onto Shimano LX hubs in 1989 and apart from the odd retensioning have done thousands of miles trouble free. The sidewalls are still ok, if a little scored. There is a slight dent in the bead area of one rim, but it doesn't affect too much. The spoke bed is a bit too shallow and makes it difficult to mount and remove tyres, The narrowness makes it necessary to use v-brakes with a parallelogram design, otherwise the pad can hit the tyre sidewall. I wish they still made these things, cos they'd make an awesome disc specific rim! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sho Nuff
a Weekend Warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I'm surprised to see the positive reviews the old BCX's are getting. I taco'd the front a month after getting it. But that was probably as much my fault as the rim. The BCX I have on the rear has been impossible to true from day one. Had it completely torn down and rebuilt, and still can't true it. After several years of fiddling with it after every ride just to get it to clear the brakes pads is getting real old. Definitely time to upgrade. Considering the other comments posted here, I'm going to assume I just got a pair of lemons. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Stewart
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, AB
Date Reviewed: May 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | The rim: BCX-1Yeah, these're getting old, but I have never had a problem with 'em. Well okay, I did replace the rear, but that was due to my own foolishness (bunnyhopped one of those concrete things in the parking lot and came down right on top of it HARD). I run 'em front and rear laced up to 15/16 gauge DT competition spooks 'n' alloy nips. They're three crossed onto a set of old deore dx hubs (rear converted to eight speed with an lx freehub body). I have to replace my front wheel as I have a disc brake now and I know where there is one more of these left. I think this rim will be a great choice for xc disc wheel because it is a single-wall design with a BEEFY spoke bed. It should hold up well to the stresses of hub braking because of that. Mr. Bontrager, (I'm very impressed to see a manufacturer on the board) do me a favor and build some more of these. I'll buy at LEAST one. Thanks for many good off road miles on these 'uns. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Styron
a cross-country rider
from Branson, MO
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a Red Label and an LX hub (front) this spring (20 bucks for the both of them), and built it up myself using old spokes and nipples I had lying around. I built it 2 cross since my spokes weren't long enough, and i don't regret not spending more for a second. They are almost as light as my friend's Mavic SUP/Marwi Ti-Dye/XTR wheel, and I am using straight 14 guage spokes and brass nipples. I have only had to true them twice, and I do some pretty hard riding (see the trail reviews for Chadwick Motocross Park), and they have been nothing but nice. I only weigh like 120 lbs, so some of their durability can be attributed to that, but I would say the most important factor is how they are built. If you have OEM wheels that aren't holding up like you would like them to, take them apart and have your local bike mechanic build them up for you. I hae had to true them though, so they only get 4 burning dead horses. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trond Olsen
a cross-country rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: October 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased the 98 BCX Red Label Rims this spring built on 98 XTR hubs and DT spokes, and I haven't been disappointed. My present bike came with Spins and I just had to replace them. First of all they are heavy, which is OK, but they feel extrememly dead when riding. The BCX however, is more lively than anything I have tried over the past 10 years of riding. I am 200 lbs and they still feel responsive when I hammer or cut the corners. I was afraid of having the red label rim on my rear after having read Keith's comments on his website, but it has worked very well. 5 chilies for simple and incredible design these rims features. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan
a racer
from fond du lac
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the valiant rims. they are in one word SWEET. They are extremely light,
I cant really coment on the strenght or duraability of these rims because i've only had them for about a week. valiant rims laced up with xtr hubs are lighter
than crossmax and thats hard to beat. Whats is even more amazing is that you can get hubs that are lighter than xtr. I will review again at the end of the summer to check the strenght. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Krout
a weekend warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Besides the occasional rear rim problem, these Bontragers are good quality at a decent price. For the weekend warriors out there, these rims are a good choice. However, for those more serious riders, I suggest upgrading to another Bontrager rim, or possibly a BCXtreme rim set [which I just saw down in Virginia]. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane Reed
a cross-country rider
from Cupertino, Ca
Date Reviewed: May 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a Bontrager Race bike about four years ago. I had it built up buy a local shop called Slough's bike shop. I mention this because I believe that who builds your wheel is probably more important than which parts you build it with. For those of you that had problems with wheels built with Bontrager BCX rims I'm sorry, but the rim was probably not a 100% at fault, remember that when you buy your next pair and have someone really skilled build them for you. You will not regret it. The wheels on my bike use White industries hubs and Bontrager red and blue label rims. I ride all year round and weigh about 200lbs. For the past two years I have been using XT v-brakes which put extra stress on the rims. I am glad to say that my wheels are still perfectly straight to this day and have never been trued. Never. That's FOUR years of technical, crazy, rock strewn, physco trails and they are still running straight. I will be having my wheels rebuilt soon because I think the sidewalls are finally nearing the end of their life span due to brake wear and you better believe I am going to go back to George at Slough's to tell him he did a killer job and to fix me up with some new Mustangs. Keith..you rule...come back to Chain Reaction bike shop and talk with us again sometime..the last time you were here was cool! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lancer
a weekend warrior
from Northridge, CA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just purchased Bontrager Maverick rims with LX hubs. So far, the rims
are excellent and well designed. Additionally, they are strong. I have
no problems recommending this to the seriouis biker. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Bennett
a weekend warrior
from Japan
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a BCX1 front and BCX2 rear (green and orange label - weinmann) which came stock on my 1993 KHS Montana Team. They've been great up until a week ago. Just leaving on a 200km 2 day road ride with my club, on slicks at about 90 psi, the rear rim exploded; the side of the rim split in two and blew out about a 45cm strip of aluminum. In all fairness, the rear breaking surface was a little worn, but the bike has mainly only been used for commuting, with 1 five day cycle tour and 1-2 recreational races a year. Up until last week the rims were great, and always true; last week was a sudden and unexpected surpise. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip Backes
a weekend warrior
from MN
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I was just riding along on the railroad tracks by my house when I found that my Bontrager Mavericks worked just fine. I just got my bike two weeks ago and there is just a slight wobble but that was there when I got it. I usually hit a few things and fall off sometimes and they haven't complaned. I especially like the machined sidewalls. The brakes work great with that. I plan on getting a pair of mustangs soon, they look a bit beefier. I also like it that bontrager has offset holes in there new rear rim. Deffinently getting that. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Parrish
a cross-country rider
from Auburn, AL
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got BCX 3 rims stock on my Kona Lava Dome in 94. I've had no problem whatsoever with the front wheel but the rear wheel is out of true as soon as I get it out of the shop (I've tried all the shops in my area and even had the wheels rebuilt). I'm a fat guy but you'd think the rim would at least stay true for a ride or two. I'm in the market for a new rear wheel...any suggestions? How are the new Clydesdale's? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory L. Vanarsdel
a cross-country rider
from texas
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Maverick wheels for about a month, i ride about 4 times a week
from the trails to streets and all in between. They have held up to everything i
could put them through as to date they are as true as the date i purchased them.
For the money($65 with stx rc hub)and at 410 grams it is a great wheel.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Velasco
a weekend warrior
from Tulsa
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Maverick rims were spec'd on my Fisher Joshua X0. I've had two months to abuse them and so far they're holding up well. I've used Sun Chinooks and Ritchey Vantange Comps. The Maverick's totally outclass either of these rims. These rims are seamless, only after removing the tire was I able to see where the two ends were welded together. I weigh 210 lbs. and bottom-out my fork on a regular basis. Gotta love it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James MacIsaac
a weekend warrior
from Ohio State University
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a Weinnman Bontrager BCX 2, and BCX 3 on my mountian bike. During the week, my bike is my main transportation around campus. I go cross country on the weekends (lots of climbing muddy hills). Those rims have gone through three years of constant snow, salt, cold, mud, curbs, and potholes. I've never had a problem (or any service done on them). They must have been well engineered. How are the new Mustangs anyone? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Kalina
a cross-country rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the old BCX1 rims on one of my bikes for nearly 5 years now. Nither front nor rear have ever needed anything more than a very minor truing through all that time. I'm 175 lbs and ride and race on some very rough stuff. The wheels were built by on of the very best wheel builders here in Chicago. I've had folks tell me that these rims had a flaw in that they had no spoke hole eyelets. I've never found the lack of them to be a problem. If you have a very good wheel builder, it isn't important to have or not have eyelets. I have a new Schwinn XT Homegrown and I find the Mavic 220 rims that came with it (they have eyelets) need more attention than my old BCXs ever did. When I have a new wheelset built up, I will surely check out the latest Bontrager rims. And I'm still putting miles on the old bike with the BCX rims. Still as true as ever! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen
a cross-country rider
from Maine
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Hey, its kind of cool seing a review by Keith, he doesn't even sound grumpy. I have the BCX rimd which came on my Santa Cruz Heckler. I've been pounding them with no remorse for the past 3 months, and other that minor truing each wheel once, I haven't had a single problem. I should add I'm not a real heavy guy, going about 160 with a full camelback. If I upgrade rims at some point( I want a spare set w/studded tires for winter riding Yeehaw!) I'll definetely check out the new Bontrager rims. I was going to give these rims 5 chilis, but since Keith says the new ones are better, I'll give them 4. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Kihle
a cross-country rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: July 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have now tested a Mustang Rear Ceramic for a months time with XTR hubs and cassette. Swiss DT 2mm spokes (not DB). Congratulations Keith. Your Mustangs take punishment with excellence, as does the ceramic coating! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Bontrager
a cross-country rider
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Thanks for the feedback folks...One thing though. We've made quite a few different rim designs over
the years, and each is a different rim. A lot of them are very old
designs now, and they were built into wheels by a wheel bot, not the
best way to go in many instances. When you do the review, let me know whether the rim came with the bike,
was a separate part that you built, or had built, when you got it,
and especially, what model rim it is. This helps riders
know what you are talking about, and it helps rim manufacturers
know too.FYI:The older Weinmann made rims (BCX1, 2, 3, and Red and Blue label) are
very different from the latest stuff. All but the Red and Blue label
rims from Weinmann are history now.Check out the web page for more details.Thanks,KB | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle Mason
a racer
from Terrace, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: March 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I don't care what anyone thinks, my Bontrager rims kick the hell out of my Mavic's! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hank
a cross-country rider
from Gainesville,Fl
Date Reviewed: February 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I had the red bcx rim in front and recently snapped it in two after and an endo. I was very surprised to find it had broke. Will try another rim next time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sp
a cross-country rider
from michigan
Date Reviewed: November 2, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Hang on a minute...do I hear ...I was just riding along? I weigh 215 lbs
and I've ridden a red label BCX for 3 years (2 of them on a rigid bike) and I've
done nothing but minor truing. Several friends have had BCX, 231, 217 and CR7
problems, but none more than others, and almost every one following a big hit
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Womack
a cross-country rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: October 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I was riding a BCX red label for about two months when it snapped and folded where the rim is joined together. I liked the vertical sidewalls (v-brakes) but I'm not willing to risk life and limb on this rim. The wheel folded on a relatively minor hit, especially with an M5 SX front fork. Invest elsewhere. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a weekend warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
model: bcx1
While negotiating a slow, technical downhill, my front rim (which was only 4 months old) snapped clean in half at the valve hole. As I am not a heavy weight and have long travel Rock Shox Mag 21's, I would have expected the rims to last a helluva lot longer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne Beebe
a cross-country rider
from Manitowoc, WI
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had Bontrager BCX red label no eyelet rims (370g) on both front and rear wheels for almost 2 years now. I didn't expect the rear to last even 1 year, but both still roll true and show minimal wear from two sets of kool stop pads. I hope these are still made when I have to buy another set. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Brown
a downhiller
from Arcadia California USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
model: bcx-2
Keith does not need to go back to the drawing board! I used a bcx 2 on the
rear of my bike for almost three years. The only reason the rim broke is
because my brake finaly ate through the rim wall. I weigh 180 pounds and
very much abuse my bike! In the last 2 months I have destroyed 3 mavic 217
rims. I guess it just depends what batch of rims you get. I am now using a
SUN Ryno lite, this is a bitchen rim...No Problems at all! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Williams
a cross-country rider
from ambleside, uk
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
My Bontragers lasted 1mth (front) and 2mths (rear). Mavic 237s have lasted
17 and 16 mths respectively and are still fine. Which do you think's a better
buy??
Back to the drawing board Kieth B. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a cross-country rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been running my rims for just short of a year and a half and they are as straight as the day I bought them. These rims are however not the lightest. | | Overall Rating: |
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