The quality of Mavic Askiums

godtabh

I am having issues with my wheels. Twice in the last I've had issues with spokes breaking/loss of tension.

Had to drop the wheel back in again. The LBS says the wheel is in bad shape. Spoke nipples are seized and the axle is going the same way.

The wheel is less than a year old with about 8000km. Surely there should be a bit more life in them?

Wishbone Ash

I had the same problems with the rear wheel - spokes losing tension and/or twisting throughout the wheel's life and then seized spoke nipples towards the end. I did manage to get about 13,000kms out of it though.

(The front wheel still seems fine).

EDIT: should have added that the braking rim surface in both wheels is near the end.

godtabh

I think I might just get a replacement rear of the same. Use it as winter wheels and the Zondas for the summer

Wishbone Ash

Is there a weight limit on them? I vary between 75 and 80kgs but I've seen bigger lads use them.

godtabh

i'm on average 97kg. Might shorten the life span.

nak

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Is there a weight limit on them? I vary between 75 and 80kgs but I've seen bigger lads use them.

Doubt it. They used to be brilliant (had mine for 6 years, used every day and only had to chamge bearings). Think I may have to lay them to rest soon. The quality is not as good anymore.

godtabh

LBS said that he reckons they have changed production methods and quality has dropped.

fixie fox

I can't wear mine out - no excuse for an upgrade.

Pinch Flat

I had 2 sets on my commuter. Back one gave up the ghost after a relatively Short time on both occasions. My choice for budget wheels are shimano r501 (not the bladed version) - cant fault them and they're cheaper than the mavics. I'm 90 odd kg

Hmmzis

Mine lasted for a bit over a year or approx 10k km. The braking surface on both the back and front had become badly worn and the bearings in the front were also on their way out. During that year they did get a good beating though.

Plastik

I've a set that I bought on a second hand bike back in 2012. I think there was very little mileage on them. After doing a very quick tot I've put close to 14,000km on them and they have needed next to no attention in that time. The have suffered on and on through all sorts of crap but have proved very reliable. The rear is starting to look like it will need a little tlc in the near future, but it will have been well earned.

Wishbone Ash

fixie fox wrote: »

I can't wear mine out - no excuse for an upgrade.

Why don't you swap with godtabh? He'll have newer Askiums and you'll have an excuse to upgrade. A win/win situation!

Kebel

I have two sets, one spends the winter on the CX bike (and summer on the TT bike for training rather training on tubs / disc wheel) and the other set on my winter bike - the one on the CX/TT bike haven't done huge miles but get a hard time on the CX bike and have never let me down - the set on the winter bike are on their 4th winter - I reckon I put 5-6,000km on them each winter in all sorts of weather, so they have 20,000km + on them, and they have never given me any trouble.

Mind you I think the braking surface is beginning to wear a bit thin on the winter bike but for what I paid for them c.€110 in a sale they don't owe me anything - I will be buying another set when needed.

Weight varies between 64 and 68kg if that’s that's relevant.

K

godtabh

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Why don't you swap with godtabh? He'll have newer Askiums and you'll have an excuse to upgrade. A win/win situation!

Deal. Sending pm now

cdaly_

I'm on my second set. First set have been very good until I wore out the braking surfaces. I've since changed to using Koolstop Salmon pads which seem to wear the rim much less.

Second set is still going strong though I had to replace a broken rim. I had to re-bush both freehubs as they started to buzz when descending. First rear wheel needed a bit of trueing from time to time but they've been very dependable. I'll replace its rim in the next while and expect it to last a good while longer.

I'd say I've had around 4 years (and a lot of distance) out of two sets.

joxerjohn

Rider weight is definately an issue . I saw an upper limit on Aksiums at 110Kg somewhere (iirc) which is pretty heavy. However a club colleague tipping the scales at around 100Kg+ ish broke about six spoke on his rear aksium wheel during the season.

For a heavier riders I would recommemd hand built wheels with higher spoke counts would be better than factory built. Low spoke counts are fine for ligher riders but not great for the heavy weights.

The Noble Nudge

I've had nothing but bad luck on Askiums gone on my 3rd rear wheel LBS replaced the other two on warranty...I'm above 90kg and was told they are under 80kg weight rated although very hard to find such basic information....
Investigated a few options,
Hand built or fulcrum 7's apparently are the better options I've been told.......
My knowledge is limited to experience so the lad with me is on Krysiums and never had a problem......a step up in price though......