Opinions of Mavic Open Sport / MA-3 for LD

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ebrady

Hi all,

I noticed some hairline cracks starting in the OEM rear rim of my rando bike and have decided to get a new set. Any opinions on the Mavic Open Sport / MA-3 rims?
I have looked into Open Pro's also, but was told that these have a tendency to crack in the rear wheel also for riders my size (~225 lbs). The Open Sports where recommended as an alternative. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
Ed

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Hocam

I really like velocity aerohead's off center rear; it balances out the spoke tension to build a stronger wheel but I'm not sure if that will help a cracked rim.

You may want to try something with a deeper section, like Mavic's touring rims or a velocity deep V and 36 spokes. Also, a wider tire would help distribute bumps over more of the rim.

George

I have some Open Sports that came on my Specialized Roubaix and they have about 300 miles on them. You can buy them for $100, you pay the shipping.

robertkat

Velocity Synergy rims, with the off-ceneter drilling on the rear. Builds up a stronger, lighter wheel than any Mavic rim with quality comparable to or better.

thebulls

I agree, the Velocity's would be the better choice because of their asymmetry.

That said, when I started randonneuring I weighed about the same as the OP; somewhat less, now. I have tens-of-thousands of miles on 36-spoke Mavic Open Pro rims, usually with tires between 700x25 and 700x32. No problems whatsoever. Also, I built up a wheel for my commute bike using a Mavic Sport rim and it has about 3000 miles on it, now.

Madsnail

Ziemas

Madsnail

Yes sure, anything's possible, but it's not recommended, is it?
I like having the possibility of safely being able to put fatter tires within recommended specs.

Ziemas

Yes sure, anything's possible, but it's not recommended, is it?
I like having the possibility of safely being able to put fatter tires within recommended specs.

Many folks have done it without problems. If I thought it was an issue my wife wouldn't be doing, especially over our cobblestone streets.

bmike

Careful with the Open Pros, the max width is supposed to be 700x28.
I think I'm going to get some Mavic A719 (http://www.mavic.com/road/products/A-719.324119.aspx), you can put tires between 700x28 and 700x47.

is that published width or measured width? some folks over in the cross forum run 32s and 35s on them with no problems. i've run 30s on mine (usually run a 28), and have a rando friend who runs 30s on his.

Madsnail

is that published width or measured width? some folks over in the cross forum run 32s and 35s on them with no problems. i've run 30s on mine (usually run a 28), and have a rando friend who runs 30s on his.

These are the specs I've read on the Mavic website, I have no experience with those rims.
The ETRTO is 622-15C for tires between 19 and 28. All I know is that if I were 225lbs I wouldn't try putting 700x35C on there.
I've tried running some 28C tires on my racing bike which has got some 622-13C rims for tires between 19 and 23, and that felt weird and wobbly in curves.
All I was saying was that the A719 look like better rims for my use since I want to be able to fit some pretty fat tires to go on some trails too.

bmike

These are the specs I've read on the Mavic website, I have no experience with those rims.
The ETRTO is 622-15C for tires between 19 and 28. All I know is that if I were 225lbs I wouldn't try putting 700x35C on there.
I've tried running some 28C tires on my racing bike which has got some 622-13C rims for tires between 19 and 23, and that felt weird and wobbly in curves.
All I was saying was that the A719 look like better rims for my use since I want to be able to fit some pretty fat tires to go on some trails too.

the rims are easy to measure - i was thinking about the tires. my conti gp's run tend about 26 on the open pros - the 30s about a 28. the schwalbe marathon '28s' i had were running at a 30, actually had to adjust my fender bolts to prevent them from rubbing. often the tires run different when inflated to the pressure the rider likes to use on the rims they prefer.

yeah - rims that can take fat tires are nice. i've got some delgado's on my fg and i like that on the dirt with 32 cross tires or 30 pasela's

Madsnail

the rims are easy to measure - i was thinking about the tires.

You're right, tire sizes vary quite a bit between manufacturers, it's difficult to figure out what the real size is...
Also, the official specs off the Mavic site seem to be really on the safe side. According to this size chart (http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html#iso) on Sheldon Brown's site, an ETRTO 15 rim can take tires up to 32mm.

thebulls

Careful with the Open Pros, the max width is supposed to be 700x28.
I think I'm going to get some Mavic A719 (http://www.mavic.com/road/products/A-719.324119.aspx), you can put tires between 700x28 and 700x47.

Mavic's website says "Recommended tire widths: 19 to 28 mm" That's not the same as saying that the max width is 28mm. I talked with Peter White who said I should have no problem running 30's or 32's. So I've run 30's or 32's for the last 13000 miles. Total weight, me plus bike plus gear, has been anywhere between 215 and 280, depending on what I was carrying (e.g. the max was for 75 miles of loaded light-touring).

DaveM

Ziemas

"I have looked into Open Pro's also, but was told that these have a tendency to crack in the rear wheel" Please you let me know where you got that info from, I've got open pro's and have done about 10'000 miles on then with no issues but now you've got me worried

Don't be. I bomb over cobblestones everyday on Open Pros have have been doing so for years. The only issues I've ever had were worn down brake surfaces.

Carbonfiberboy

Open Pro Ceramic. The bees' knees. IMHO the greatest for LD cycling in the PNW, 'cause we do a lot of riding in the rain and the ceramic rims really don't seem to wear. It's best to run the special Kool Stop green pads. They're hard to find pre-built, so build your own or have them built.

ebrady

"I have looked into Open Pro's also, but was told that these have a tendency to crack in the rear wheel" Please you let me know where you got that info from, I've got open pro's and have done about 10'000 miles on then with no issues but now you've got me worried

I got the information from Peter White, he indicated that he would not warranty the wheels due to me weighing in at 225, but Mavic MIGHT, I have not checked into this.

Opinions here and elsewhere regarding the Open Pros are all over the map, from greatest thing since sliced bread, to never buy again. I imagine that they are pretty solid wheel and would make a fine set. However I have decided to trust Peter on this and look into something that HE will warranty.

After a little more research, I decided to give Velocity Aerohead OC's a look. Peter said that these would work well, and the Deep V would be even a little stronger, (but with a slightly higher weight penalty, I figured this out myself, don't bring up the subject of grams with him ;) ). I ended up going with a 36 spoke Deep V in the rear and a 32 spoke AeroHead in the front. I will be doing TOSRV in Ohio this weekend on them and I will give some feedback on how they do.

I appreciate everyone's input regarding this subject, thanks.

Carbonfiberboy

<snip>
After a little more research, I decided to give Velocity Aerohead OC's a look. Peter said that these would work well, and the Deep V would be even a little stronger, (but with a slightly higher weight penalty, I figured this out myself, don't bring up the subject of grams with him ;) ). I ended up going with a 36 spoke Deep V in the rear and a 32 spoke AeroHead in the front. I will be doing TOSRV in Ohio this weekend on them and I will give some feedback on how they do.
<snip>I run 36 spoke Aeroheads on my tandem, 35# bike, 300# team weight. They seem fine. I run 'em with 23c Tricomps @ 140#, also works well.

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