New hoops

Picked up a new set of hoops for mtb racing. The new Mavic Crossmax 29ers. Yes, El Cavano they are UST compatible! Tubeless is in the cards for me in 2008. I'm going to run these as a race only set (I think) and plan on converting my 'everyday' wheelsets to tubeless as well. I've taken too much flack for being a luddite when it comes to the tubeless tire revolution.

Mark at Ballwin Cycles (my home shop) hooked me up with a great deal on the wheels (always appreciated, thanks Mark) and when he asked me if I wanted the Mavic wheel replacement plan I immediately said yes. An aggressive rider I know relied on his replacement plan mere hours after his purchase. Ain't happening to me. Mine are hanging in the basement resisting any temptation to smash them up in a snow-packed trail. Don't worry, they'll get ridden soon enough.

I felt a bit odd buying pre-built wheels from Mark. I've probably purchased 4 or 5 sets of very nice, handbuilt wheels from Mark in the past 2 years. In my opinion, there isn't a better wheelbuilder in the area, perhaps anywhere. With every set of wheels he asks me to bring them back after 100 or so miles to check the tension, but after that the wheels are bombproof. I know, I ride hard. My main set of mtb wheels are Mavic 719's with Chris King hubs. Mark has trued them a total of 2 times. Once after the initial break-in and another time when I had pounded some log crossings fairly hard. Great dude with exceptional skills. I guess if he was comfortable enough selling them to me, I trust his judgment.