Bicycle Mechanics - Mavic wheels (Ksyrium/Crossmax/Cosmos/etc.) advice wanted

Looking for general advice for Mavic wheelsets.

*maintenace*

* repair *

* where to buy parts *

* better performance advice *

*etc*

Spokes for Crossmax

Can someone tell me where i can buy spare spokes for Corssmax SSC SL and not have to mortgage my house?

front/rear drive side/rear non drive side - whats the legth diff?

Spokes for Ksyriums SSC SL's

As per above.....and again to not have to mortgage my house?

front/rear drive side/rear non drive side - whats the legth diff?

Learn to use the edit button.

Anyone have tune up/maintenance advice for Mavic wheelset hubs?

where to buy bearings?
how often to change them?
how often to lube?

Anyone have tune up/maintenance advice for Mavic wheelset hubs?

where to buy bearings?
how often to change them?
how often to lube?

Learn to use the "search" function

You will need to buy all your parts from a Mavic dealer. They will have all spoke length information you will require.

I guess I should be clearer with my first thread as I seem to have attracted a couple of self appointed 'threadie cops' with way too much time on their hands. I guess I'm being picked on cuz I'm a newbie....oh well!

I searched through many threads seeking answers before I posted and found nothing that answered my questions. As a software developer, I have a well earned understanding of the fine balance between time spent searching for a solution and time spent building - excuse me if I didn't dig deep enough but it became apparent that these threads turn into flame wars or political rants and I thought a concentrated thread on Mavic wheels would be good.

Here is an interesting and helpful list of thread headings about Ksyrium/Crossmax wheels which everyone can reference by search:

- Adjusting Hub Bearings for Mavic Ksyrium SL
- anyone else have issues with ksyrium bearings?
- Ksyrium SL bearing replacement
- Mavic Ksyrium Elite spoke tension
- Ksyrium Freehub maintenance
- Wheel Maintenance
- Buckled Wheel
- this seems odd to me... does it make sense to you?
- So how long should it take to get something from Mavic?
- flat spot on rim
- Anyone breaking spokes with Ksyriums??

I did find a great post on how to remove an X10 freehub and also a tip on carrying spare spokes in your seat post on long rides - thnx.

P.s. I still don't have my answers and still interested in hearing anything. I've sent Mavic.fr a question in french a month ago asking these questions and still no response.

I guess I should be clearer with my first thread as I seem to have attracted a couple of self appointed 'threadie cops' with way too much time on their hands.

It's not a case of too much time on our hands - it's a case of asking all your questions in one post. It is cumbersome (and that's being nice) to read dis-jointed multiple posts which should not have been separate posts to begin with. As suggested, use the "edit" button if you need to modify or add to your original post. Simply tacking new post after new post to your own original thought will not get you many responses.

As a software developer, you would think that ergonomics is key to what you do. I may be mistaken. (Or possibly have too much time on my hands.)

The bottom line is it's much easier for someone to flame you than to provide answers. This is because they don't know the answers and if they don't flame you then they don't get to participate. If they don't get to participate then they don't get to feel good about themselves. Myself on the other hand, I don't know the answers either. ( would like to have seen the answers) Don't have the time to do the intensive search, but do feel good about myself because I have found a way to type all these letters in a thread in which I have nothing of value to offer!

- Adjusting Hub Bearings for Mavic Ksyrium SL
- Ksyrium SL bearing replacement
- Mavic Ksyrium Elite spoke tension
- Ksyrium Freehub maintenance
- Wheel Maintenance
- Buckled Wheel
- this seems odd to me... does it make sense to you?
- So how long should it take to get something from Mavic?
- flat spot on rim
- Anyone breaking spokes with Ksyriums??



http://www.mavic.fr/servlet/srt/mavic/dealers?lg=uk

and good luck getting something from directly from mavic unless you are a bike shop or an employee of a bike shop trying to EP product from them, mavic/adidas is the wholesaler not the dealer. Any LBS listed on mavic's site should be able to order you whatever it is you want and I am sure since it sounds like you would be dropping more than $500 on a wheelset answer any questions to the best of their ability about maintenence as they should have access to the mavic techguide which should have all the info in it that you are looking for. Usually a reasonable timeframe on bike part orders from wholesalers is in the 2 week range, thats what we tell most of our customers. As for breaking spokes on Ksyriums i have never broken any of mine, nor has anyone that I know of.

[QUOTE=it's a case of asking all your questions in one post. It is cumbersome (and that's being nice) to read dis-jointed multiple posts which should not have been separate posts to begin with. [/QUOTE]

I believe seperate posts for Ksyrium/Crossmax spokes were warranted as they are different spoke lengths and roadies/mtbers don't always have both. Someone searching for spokes for Crossmax would most likely not be interested in Ksysriums.

Google (followed by other search engines recently) has a weighted page ranking algorithm/system which has better results when *relevant* keyword text is not concentrated within the same block of HTML. It works better if these keywords are separated i.e. keyword1 in the same cell/table/paragraph as keyword2. Page ranking plummets when too many high ranking keywords are concentrated...this goes back to the days when webmasters would hide thousands of hidden words in a web page to try and get a higher search engine result. Google has rendered this ineffective - which is good! I’m sorry if this sounds like a flame – its not. And thanks for your comment.

Freewheel fails to turn wheel (pawls not catching)

This problem/solution would apply to all Mavic wheelset hubs. (Ksyrium/Cosmos/Crossmax/etc)

Two weeks ago my Crossmax freewheel (rear obviously) started to spin freely in both directions. I thought I broke the pawls/springs inside the freehub. The problem turned out to be an axle that loosened over time and caused the side of the pawls to grind against the groove they sit inside and build up a ridge of metal that kept the pawl springs from doing their job. They were sticking in the compressed position causing the freewheel to spin freely in both the backwards and frontward rotation (up hill of course). I am guessing this could be warranted through Mavic but I’m heading out to do the Transrockies race next week and I didn’t have a spare set of mtb wheels or time to send wheel back for repair. I fixed it by removing the freewheel and filing down the edges (built up ridge of metal) of the pawls with a grinder. It’s not the most elegant solution but it seems to be working. I didn’t have any mineral oil to re-lube the freehub as per what I’ve read in other threads. I used thicker phil wood chain lube. I’ll lube it properly when I can find the time hopefully before the race. I checked my axle tightness on my Ksyriums as well and found the front hub to have a little play. I’m guessing there is a loosening axle problem with Mavic wheels.

I retightened all axles and guessed on the torque setting – does anyone know?

Please see another post by BikerRyan on how to remove a Mavic freehub/axle here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=64106

I have the Ksyrium Elites. Got them early last summer. Used them all year 2004 and this year. Touched up the rear spokes once. Every once in a while, the pawles will make a 'ping' when engaging. Other than that, nothing.

LBS that carries Mavic can get you spokes. Unless you crash, you will prolly wear out the rim from braking before a spoke gives out.

Freewheel fails to turn wheel (pawls not catching)

This problem/solution would apply to all Mavic wheelset hubs. (Ksyrium/Cosmos/Crossmax/etc)

Two weeks ago my Crossmax freewheel (rear obviously) started to spin freely in both directions. I thought I broke the pawls/springs inside the freehub. The problem turned out to be an axle that loosened over time and caused the side of the pawls to grind against the groove they sit inside and build up a ridge of metal that kept the pawl springs from doing their job. They were sticking in the compressed position causing the freewheel to spin freely in both the backwards and frontward rotation (up hill of course). I am guessing this could be warranted through Mavic but I’m heading out to do the Transrockies race next week and I didn’t have a spare set of mtb wheels or time to send wheel back for repair. I fixed it by removing the freewheel and filing down the edges (built up ridge of metal) of the pawls with a grinder. It’s not the most elegant solution but it seems to be working. I didn’t have any mineral oil to re-lube the freehub as per what I’ve read in other threads. I used thicker phil wood chain lube. I’ll lube it properly when I can find the time hopefully before the race. I checked my axle tightness on my Ksyriums as well and found the front hub to have a little play. I’m guessing there is a loosening axle problem with Mavic wheels.

I retightened all axles and guessed on the torque setting – does anyone know?

Please see another post by BikerRyan on how to remove a Mavic freehub/axle here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=64106

Hate to be brutally honest here, but you are supposed to check the axles, so that doesn't happen. Wheels are not set it and forget it like saddle height is, they are moving parts and moving parts will loosen up and wear out.

Hate to be brutally honest here, but you are supposed to check the axles, so that doesn't happen. Wheels are not set it and forget it like saddle height is, they are moving parts and moving parts will loosen up and wear out.

Hate to be brutally honest? WTF!?!?!?!? Thank you for your sacrifice to tell me what's what!

I start a thread to help people with wheel info and I end up getting told to learn how to post and then patronized! Isn't the freaking point of my loose axle post to remind reiders to check thier wheels often? I won't hate to be brutal here and say if you don't have something of value to add then go and ***** in the rant section!!!

Reminds me of all the arrogant mechanics out there who maintain their bikes in pristine condition but just can't be bothered to make that ride, let alone contribute at the front of the paceline, unless it's 70 degrees and sunny. Give 'em hell, hiccuphell.

I have similar issues with my bike, but if I'm faced with making the ride, spending time with my kids, and following the increasingly rigorous maintenance requirements of today's equipment, guess which item falls off the list?

For my part, I'm frustrated generally with the custom-built wheelsets. It's hard to figure out how to maintain them. I have Mavic Cosmos wheels and Ritchey Pro wheels. Both have freehub and spoke problems. I need to remind myself next time to spend a bit extra for easily serviceable Shimano hubs and standard DT spokes.

The Mavic tech site can be accessed for how-to guides with the following url and userid/password:

http://www.tech-mavic.com/ then mavic-com and dealer. Then at least you have access to tech guides.

I love cycling and have been in it for 23 years, but you have to build up some patience to deal with all the poseurs and martinets.