Mavic 29er TN 719 DISC Rim Review

MAVIC’s Answer
Up until recently, the 29er crowd had few options for quality rims. The choice was either go cheap, or go broke. It meant accepting a stock wheelset, which often used a modified hybrid or road rim simply labeled for 29er use, or taking out a second mortgage to purchase for a race-quality aftermarket wheelset. There seemed to be little or no middle-ground for the riders hoping to upgrade their heavier stock wheels, or the wheel builder looking to build a solid set.

With more bike manufacturers accepting the 29er platform, tire and rim makers have also stepped up their game. In 2008, Mavic released its TN 719 rim. Mavic touts it as the rim for “29er addicts” built from the ground-up for the rigors of true off-road duty. No longer a modified road rim, the TN 719 is being offered as the rim for those choosing to go the 29er route while still allowing for traditional hub and spoke options. Building a strong 29er rim is a fine balance between weight and strength. Build it too heavy and the rotational weight will be amplified by the larger diameter size of 29” wheels and tires. Build it too light, and the rims will flex more noticeable than on smaller diameter 26” cousins. The TN 719 is Mavic’s answer to this equation.

First Look
Sometimes a component just ‘looks the part’ before you even mount it on your ride. The TN 719’s give a sold first impression. Out of the box, the taller profile of the TN 719 is immediately noticeable. In your hands, the rims look and feel stout, though at the same time light. Mavic’s SUP machining leaves every surface and weld on the rim smooth and clean, a very uniform and balanced look. Mavic has perfected their clincher system, and the Maxis tire beads seated themselves perfectly the first time through, with little to no adjustment being necessary. In the truing stand, the rims were Mavic-true. The French company doesn’t let any rim leave the factory without testing its trueness, and the TN 719 rims are no exception. Naturally, I was going to hold out for the ‘true’ test after giving them some good off-road time.

On an aesthetic note, I should mention that the dark ebony rims contrasted nicely with the big bold white graphics. They gave my bike a beefier and tougher face. Looks don’t matter much, but they do when it’s your ride… right?

Tech Specs
A deeper V-profile than previous road-adapted rims, the TN 719 is built for the demands of today’s big-wheel crowd. Unlike the previous A317 rim from Mavic, which was essentially a road-rim built for commuting and later adapted for light 29er duty, the TN 719 has been designed to be mountain-bike specific. Available in either 32 or 36 hole drillings, the single-eylet rims are built comfortably light at 510g, but Mavic’s proprietary rim material, dubbed “Maxtal”, is not spared to make the rims stupid-light. Although it does not share the extensive machining and scalloping of its more expensive race-light brothers, the stout build of the MAVIC TN 719 will last you multiple seasons, without making your wheels feel like boat anchors. Compared the earlier A317 Disc rim from Mavic, the TN 719 saves you a generous 28 grams per wheel. Currently, Mavic only produces the TN 719 as a disc-specific rim. V-brakes or other rim-brakes are not an option as the TN 719 has a very short sidewall that does not accommodate brake pad wear. Lastly, Mavic does not sell the rim as a tubeless “UST” design. Although compatible with Mavic’s tubeless system as an aftermarket option, the rim does not ship tubeless-ready. 

Mavic produces the TN 719 as a rim-only option. Unlike it’s CrossMax And CS29ssmax offerings, Mavic does not ship the TN 719 as a complete wheel set, but various wheel houses can build the rim up to your specifications in a wide array of hub and spoke options.

On The Block
As this was a dedicated rim review and not a wheel set review, I worked to keep all factors constant between my previous set-up and the current TN 719 set. For comparison purposes, my set matched my previous 29er set-up: 32 double-butted spokes, brass nipples, and high-flange Shimano XT M9756 hubs. A pair of semi-slick 2.1 Maxis tires rounded out the set. My testing platform was a non-suspended steel frame (ZION 737) mated with a full-carbon fork. As the sole difference between my previous set up and this wheel set was the newer rim set, any change in wheel response could be directly attributed to the TN 719 rim. Spoke count, hub set, tire rubber, and tubing were all maintained constant from my previous Mavic A317 disc wheel set.

Having mounted the new wheels to my bike, I took the TN 719s out for a quick spin around the block. The wheels felt solid underneath, but not a dramatic change from the previous A317 rims. The wheels rolled smooth without a wobble or hop, and although barely noticeable at the time, knowing that I was saving nearly 60 grams from my previous set made me “feel” faster. Cornering on cement was slightly more precise, though again, not a radical difference. I decided to wait for the trail-test to see if my investment in the TN 719’s was justified. After hopping a few curbs and bashing a few steps, I threw the rims into a truing stand just for a quick check – the rims stayed true.

Off The Beaten Path
Off-road is where the TN 719 rims really start to shine. Immediately, the lateral stiffness of the rims was noticeable. 29er wheels have long had a tendency to flex side-to-side – The additional stress of heavier rubber, larger diameter size, and the lateral tensions of off-road climbing have always been a bane for 29er rims. With the taller v-shaped profile of the TN 719, Mavic has addressed this issue, and more importantly, corrected it. Rocking the bicycle while mashing an uphill climb, the wheels felt solid and flex-free. Even more noticeable was aggressive downhill cornering. The wheel response was instantaneous. No flex-lag was noticeable coming out of turns and on the straightaways they seemed to scream at you to, “GO FASTER!” When it comes to tracking, the TN 719’s doesn’t seem to flex at all, digging your tires into the dirt when traction is most demanded. Solid and stiff is the only way to describe these rims.

The difference between the TN 719 and the A317 rims was not only obvious, but it was literally shocking – Although I was running the same PSI as my previous set-up, the TN 719 rims transmitted much more trail chatter. At first, it was almost uncomfortable. Each bump, rut and dip was much more noticeable, as the rims would not give up much flex from ground impacts. I found myself dumping a few PSI in the tires every few turns to accommodate this stiffness. Surprisingly, even at a modest 32 PSI, I didn’t feel much flex in the wheels, nor did I fear any pinch-flat. I tested the rims on a set of Maxis 2.1” tires, though Mavic claims that the TN 719’s will accommodate up to 2.30” rubber. I have no doubt they will.

I don’t know if I can attribute it to the rims being 60 grams lighter (total set), or maybe just a hearty breakfast that morning, but every time I checked my gears on a long uphill, I surprisingly found myself pushing 1-2 cogs higher than my usual. I found that with the new wheels, I had shaved a respectable 10-12 minutes off my usual 2 hour loop!

Conclusion
All in all, the TN 719 disc rims are a solid choice for the seasoned 29er veteran, or the new rider seeking to upgrade an entry-level stock 29er wheelset. Is it a necessary upgrade from a Mavic a317 disc rimset? – Most likely not. But the change in wheel response and feel is noticeable and may be worth the investment for the discerning rider. I for one am sold. A TN 719 wheel set like mine retails for around MSRP $250, though depending on hub options, the wheels may be slightly less (or more) expensive. Mavic’s MSRP on the rim alone hovers around $80 ea. Undoubtedly this rim set will be a noticeable upgrade from stock wheel sets found on sub-$1000 29ers. Mavic has listened to the needs of the 29er troop and answered its call with a rim that is solid and gets the job done. Don’t be surprised if TN 719s start to show up on 2008 –2009 bike showroom floors. As for my previous wheelset… it’s going on eBay - I’m sticking with the TN 719s.

Ride fast, ride hard, but always remember - keep the rubber side down!

Related Posts

• September 9, 2008 -- CLIX is the Fix for the Common Quick Release Skewer Blues
• August 19, 2008 -- “Gearing Up” For Our Wheelset Reviews