Used these rims with XT for off road and touring. They are fast, light, strong and stay true (if your wheel builder is good). I'd still have them if they hadn't been stollen. Used the old 517 also which were good but didn't have that double eyelet thingy that the 717 do (stopping spoke going through tire if it breaks or some thing like that). I'd probably still have the 517 if thay too had'nt been stollen.
Really worth the money. But gets expensive due to dishonest folk. Bastards.
IO agree, they are great rims ( i do miss the sunset versions) however i am dubious about the claim that the ceramic are worth more for the extra strengh, the ceramic coating os worth the money if you run rim brakes as it gives a far superior braking surface, that should be all though, the rim will be no stronger because of it....
In 1998, I bought a second hand wheelset from a female XC biker who participated in the World Cups and similar. Wheels were built in 1996 with the predecessors, the XC 217 (32/32 h), the 950 XTR hubs and DT Revos. I stopped using them in 2004 as I bought some 717/Kings, gave the 217 wheels to a friend who had them on his commuter bike.
Now, in 2008, he told me that the rims had to be replaced due to the wear on the sidewalls. He rode the bike during the winter (I did not except as commuting to and from the University during 1999-2003) and in most parts of Sweden, we use salt to melt the ice away on the roads which, together with other grinding stuff such as sand and other residues, inflicts heavy wear on the rim when braking.
The XC717 of today seem to be of similar quality as the vintage 217. They are obviously not rims for FR/DH usage nor a rim for the "hucking" masses. For XC, trail, commuting and other uses not involving that kind of wear, they are kind of amazing. But, as a side note, they will stand up for a good amount of punishment - if the wheel builder did a good job.
Light, cheap and strong, not many bike components who can claim that and back it up.
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