| Easton Haven wheel set review; 1 year long term review | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 27 2011, 03:36 PM (2,505 Views) | |
| Ming the Merciless | Apr 27 2011, 03:36 PM Post #1 |
Overlord of all Known Sheds!
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A snazzy, lightweight, "all mountain" wheelset was the brief. After looking at custom build options as well as the new Haven wheelset I plumped for Havens. 1650g and £650 Initial impressions were good, spun fast, smooth bearings, light and looked bling. The bearings are sealed units but the axles have a preloading adjustment facility that requires cone spanners to set up. The rims have a smooth tyre bed with no nipple holes (nipples are mounted on the inner layer of the rim extrusion) so tubless setup is easy. On about the third day of usage I hit a flint the size of a babies head at 30mph and wrote a tyre off unfortunatly denting the rim at the same time. The rim was straight and the shop was able to "relieve" the ding, leaving only a faint mark. After fitting a more appropriate Ming proof tyre I carried on using the wheels without any problems. I clattered over the downs all summer with no problems until about september when both wheels started to get very noisey when spinning. Back at the shop it was diagnosed as failed bearings (on stripping out they were all dry). The bearings were replaced by the shop, unfortunatly the importer wanted to see the wheels, so back they went (apparently it was the first failure). After a few weeks back they came but the front (I think) was still noisey so back it went again, after a month or so and the bike shop mechanic cornering the importers rep at a trade show a new wheel duly arrived. Worried that it was washing that caused the damage I left the wheels in the shed over winter. Note: the bike is only ever washed with car wash soap, and flushed with a watering can, the hose gets sprayed onto the tyres only after particularly mucky rides and never aimed at the hubs. I've a set of 3 year old Bontrager wheels that have only needed the odd bearing in that time and been used all year round even on my single speed in some hideous conditions this winter. I fitted them back on the bike about a month ago. Super fast acceleration due to lightweight reminded me what I liked about them. They stood up to some serious abuse on Dartmoor clattering through rock gardens with my usual heavy handed, damn-the-torpedoes-full-speed-ahead, slightly uncoordinated style and stayed straight. So far the bearings are good but I will report again later this year on their durability.    The last picture shows some scratches I've picked up on one rim over the last year, not sure when or how. I've also been doing a little bit of digging and it would seem that I'm not the only person to suffer bearing issues. Bikeradar review and user comments. Ming Score so far: 5 out of 10. Why: Strong, light weight wheels BUT a serious question mark over bearing longevity. NOT GOOD ENOUGH at this price bracket. |
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| robbo167 | Apr 28 2011, 10:03 AM Post #2 |
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Bog Monster
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Interesting,..thanks Ming On a similiar vein but at the other end of the budget ,its now been a year of use for a pair of Mavic Cross Rides......these have seen year round duty on the I nbred S/S ....not the outlandish abuse that Ming hands out to his kit granted but they have still had thier fair share of adventures and ,I am pleased to report, that they have been problem free...I thought the bladed spokes might give trouble but both are still true and tight with absolutly no maintenence from me....... every now and again can hear a twang when hitting something square edged(Afan in january springs to mind,its a hardtail remember)).......lighter than the hope xc and mavic combo that was on this and can seen on places like Merlin Cycles for about £140 a pair!........ Thumbs up from me if you are a lightish rider looking to upgrade,light ,strong and noticeable faster when riding..... Robin |
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| Ming the Merciless | May 26 2011, 05:38 PM Post #3 |
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Overlord of all Known Sheds!
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**update** Back wheel not right, back in the shop at the moment, shop currently having WORDS with the importer. |
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| Ming the Merciless | Jun 18 2011, 10:03 AM Post #4 |
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Overlord of all Known Sheds!
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**UPDATE** Rear wheel has developed loads of play, bearings feel rubbish, wheel going back, AGAIN! :angry: |
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| EddyDave | Jun 25 2011, 11:23 AM Post #5 |
Bog Monster
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Would that be the wheel that you took in when I was there? |
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| Ming the Merciless | Jun 25 2011, 05:07 PM Post #6 |
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Overlord of all Known Sheds!
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Yep! |
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| EddyDave | Jun 25 2011, 05:21 PM Post #7 |
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Bog Monster
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What a bugger! You been given a timeframe? |
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| EddyDave | Jul 8 2011, 05:40 PM Post #8 |
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Bog Monster
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Ming has aforementioned wheel back and is ready to give it a good thrashing I hear! Good luck! 
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| Ming the Merciless | Jul 9 2011, 01:44 PM Post #9 |
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Overlord of all Known Sheds!
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Rear wheel back (-skewer), new freehub, new bearings, new axle, NO ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, but free of charge repair. Time will tell. |
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