So I’m selling one of my two 26” vintage mountain bike commuters and I’m trying to figure out which of these two rims is better and therefore worth keeping.
I have a set of Mavic M234 Profil PSP that is x17 width, and a set of Araya 26×1.75mm rims made in Japan.
The Mavics have Exage hubs while the Arayas have Joytech hubs.
The Mavics are both QR axels, the Araya’s rear axel is bolted.
The Mavic has a 7-speed-compatible free hub body while the Arayas have a freewheel. The cassette/freewheel doesn’t sway me really since I’ll be using the bike I throw the wheels on as a commuter anyway.
All other factors are relatively equal.
Which rims would you use and why?
by Vinnys_Chairs
13 Comments
Mavic. Qr rear and freehub body makes it the clear winner
QR axle all the way. it is that simple
mavic, the arayas cool and retro but in terms of riding if rather the mavics
All things point towards the Mavics, except it you are running really wide tired and want the width in the arayas.
I’d keep the mavics just so I could have those stickers, they’re rad
Probably the deciding factor is the freehub on the mavics, is it uniglide, or HG? If old uniglide, you’d have trouble finding 7 speed cassettes.
Freewheel 7 speed is no problem to find.
Mavics every time.
Even on a commuter, I wouldn’t bother with a freewheel. I’m a featherweight and still managed to bend and even break axles on freewheel hubs.
I know this isn’t the cool answer, but the ones that are truest and roll the smoothest.
Cliffhangers
[Velocity Cliffhanger](https://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/cliff-hanger-559VelocityWheels-HandMadeinUSA) rims, it’s a 26” tubeless ready rim.
Lace that up on any [White Industry](https://www.whiteind.com/product-category/hubs/Hubs%E2%80%93WhiteIndustries) hub of your choice.
[DT Swiss triple butted spokes](https://www.dtswiss.com/en/components/spokes-and-nipples/spokes/dt-alpine-iiiDTALPINEIII%C2%AE%7CDTSwiss)
And [Sims Works](https://www.sim.works/products/simworks-by-hoshi-brass-nippleRawBrassNipple%E2%80%93SimWorksUSA)raw brass nipples.
If you want the most bombproof tubeless 26” wheel build that still takes a rim brake that’s your set up.
Don’t get me wrong I like my old Mavic CrossLand tubeless wheels with straight pull laces, but they still don’t compare to a more modern rim.
The Mavics, no question. While Araya (and to a lesser extent, Ukai) rims were oem on many ATB/MTB in the 80s/90s. Mavics often meant custom wheels. I’m having a set built up right now for my Bridgestone XO-4. And I just got a new 7-speed Shimano cassette. Easy to find, and so cheap! Much as I love freewheels, but I’ve had one lately where even the shop could not remove the freewheel (on an original low-miles ’82 Stumpjumper.) Never had a frozen cassette.
I’m not a wheelbuilder, but I do like eyelets on rims. Just seems better to me somehow. The Mavics I have are NOS with eyelets; Mavic 238 26 inch rims, bought dirt cheap at a sporting goods store closeout. Eyelets aside, *anything* Mavic is undeniably cool, excellent quality, and lightweight. I’ve often mistaken a bare Mavic 26 inch (559) for a road bike rim, so sleek they are.
Just curious, are the Mavics for Schrader-valve tubes or Presta?
Go Mavic, and be happy.
Thanks for all your replies, people! I’m overwhelmed by the amount of Mavic replies, so I think I’ll go with them – they’re a tad lighter anyway!