Mavic's XA Pro mountain bike wheels were built as a legitimate and durable fast trail wheel that is still light enough to make you think "this is a cross country wheel". The XA Pro 29 Rear Wheel weighs in at 905 grams (and with the front for a 1690 gram set), and features an internal UST rim width of 25mm, which allows you to run tires from 1.8"-2.5" wide. That is some serious versatility. The 6-bolt disc set-up is solid and secure. The thru-axle hub offers flexibility, and the ITS-4 alloy engagement and freehub system works just as well with a SRAM XD driver as it does with a Shimano HG freehub. This is the wheel many XC and Trail riders have been begging for, not the least because it carries a superb selection of proven Mavic wheel technologies and impressive overall quality.

The story of most Mavic wheels starts with the rim. A proprietary aluminum, called Maxtal, is extruded into the chosen rim shape- in this case a 25mm wide, disc brake specific, 24mm profile rim. The hoop is then joined by the famed SUP welding and milling process that makes the rim inherently strong, as if jointless. The inner wall of the rim features extra material, because Mavic uses their FORE drilling and threading process. The extra material allows a floating threaded insert from the spoke to mount directly into the rim. Now the rim is CNC machined in 4 dimensions (ISM 4D), removing excess material between spokes and from all outer surfaces of the rim. The edges and transitions are smoothed over- which improves air flow over the surface, for a mild aerodynamic improvement. All of these processes are complementary, creating an incredibly strong, lightweight rim. Mavic is committed to the concept that rotational weight is more important that overall weight.

This rear hub is machined from aluminum stock. The material is cut away and removed with incredible precision. The left side is sculpted to hold the 6-bolt disc rotor, and the flanges of both sides are shaped to carry 12 of Mavic's straight-pull spokes, but the Isopulse system is used, so that the non-drive side is laced 2x and the driveside is laced radial. An oversized alloy axle and and micro-adjustable QRM+ oversized steel cartridge bearings have been designed to allow for interchangeable endcaps but comes set-up for a 12/142mm thru-axle. The spokes themselves are Mavic's Zicral (aluminum alloy) flat bladed spokes. With the integrated threaded FORE nipple, the spokes carry an incredible tension from the hub to the rim and the end result is one of the stiffest 29er mountain bike wheels ever assembled, yet the hub flanges allow the spokes to react to rim impact, reducing stress on the rim and rider.

Mavic was an early partner in UST tubeless design. The UST hookless bead system, sealed rim structure and Mavic tubeless valve create an amazing airtight seal that doesn't require liquid sealant (though you will likely use it to protect against tire punctures). With this XA Pro 29 Rear Wheel the life of a trail rider can only be enhanced, making it a perfect upgrade. If you ride a 148mm Boost width frame, Mavic offers a specific XA Pro Boost design as well, as a distinct item. Keep the speed, flow and rhythm you long for on the trails with Mavic.