Bontrager Racelites versus Mavic CPX-33
12-08-08, 02:31 PM
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Bontrager Racelites versus Mavic CPX-33
I'm in the process of selling one of my two road bikes and would like to keep the better wheelset on either one. I've got a choice between two wheelsets. One is a Bontrager Racelite and the other is a Mavic CPX-33 with DA hubs. I've read that the Mavics are more durable and less prone to coming off true. The DA hubs are older (2003) and rear wheel doesn't spin as long as the Racelites however. My LBS mechanic recommends keeping the CPX-33 mainly because of the DA hubs and thinks they just need to be rebuilt.
I haven't experience the problems others have had with the Racelites. They've been awesome wheels so far.
I haven't experience the problems others have had with the Racelites. They've been awesome wheels so far.
12-08-08, 04:10 PM
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Keep the DA/Mavic wheels ... no question.
Some Bontrager wheels have a pretty poor reputation for durability, but this is not my primary reason for this reccomendation...
Provided they are properly built and maintained, the DA/Mavic wheels will be stronger, stiffer, and roll smoother. Your shop guy is right - rebuild you DA hubs (possibly replace the bearings with new high quality ones if necessary) and they will roll smoother. IMHO, the friction from a hub when a bike is being ridden does not directly correspond to the unloaded spin-down time of a wheel off the bike. Sealed bearings tend to take forever to stop spinning compared to adjustable cup-and-cone bearings, but cup and cone wheels are generally faster on the road... which is why Shimano's and Campagnolo's best wheels always have cup-and-cone.
Plus a standard hand laced wheel can be fixed in any shop by any tech with the correct length spoke.
Some Bontrager wheels have a pretty poor reputation for durability, but this is not my primary reason for this reccomendation...
Provided they are properly built and maintained, the DA/Mavic wheels will be stronger, stiffer, and roll smoother. Your shop guy is right - rebuild you DA hubs (possibly replace the bearings with new high quality ones if necessary) and they will roll smoother. IMHO, the friction from a hub when a bike is being ridden does not directly correspond to the unloaded spin-down time of a wheel off the bike. Sealed bearings tend to take forever to stop spinning compared to adjustable cup-and-cone bearings, but cup and cone wheels are generally faster on the road... which is why Shimano's and Campagnolo's best wheels always have cup-and-cone.
Plus a standard hand laced wheel can be fixed in any shop by any tech with the correct length spoke.
12-08-08, 06:12 PM
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Sounds logical. Might be a mental thing from seeing the longer unloaded spin time of the Bontragers but when riding it seems harder to maintain speed and momentum with the DA/Mavic wheels. I'll have the hubs rebuilt and go from there. Not in a big rush so meanwhile, open to more opinions.
