Mavic E-Crosstrail SL Carbon 29 Wheelset

The Mavic E-Crosstrail SL Carbon 29 Wheelset is built from the ground up for electric mountain bikes — not adapted from a standard trail wheel design, but engineered specifically for the demands of e-MTB motors, e-MTB system weights, and the sustained power delivery that electric-assist riding creates. The design premise is direct: a wheel that handles the additional torque loads a motor introduces while reducing inertia enough to keep acceleration responsive. Carbon rims, a reinforced spoke pattern, and Mavic's updated Infinity hub system address those requirements together. The pair weighs 1,725 grams — competitive for carbon e-MTB wheels — and carries Mavic's ASTM Category 4 certification for enduro and trail use, the strength standard that accounts for the additional mass and impact forces of electric-assist bikes on technical terrain.

The rims are 100% carbon fiber with a unidirectional (UD) fiber external layer, built to a 25mm depth with a 30mm internal width. The profile is hookless and asymmetric — the asymmetric shape compensates for the off-center spoke geometry that disc brakes and boost axles create, distributing spoke tension more evenly across both flanges than a symmetrical profile allows under load. The hookless bead seat accommodates both traditional tubed tires and tubeless-ready setups; Mavic ships the wheels with rim tape pre-mounted and a UST tubeless valve included, so tubeless setup requires no additional supplies from the workshop. The 30mm internal width supports tires from 52mm through 76mm, covering everything from a 2.2-inch trail tire to a wide 3-inch option for loose or technical terrain. Maximum tire pressure is 34psi at narrower widths and 28psi at the wider end of the range.

The spoke architecture is where the E-Crosstrail SL Carbon 29 diverges most clearly from standard trail wheel design. The wheels use 28 threaded, three-cross steel spokes front and rear — a lacing pattern chosen specifically for the lateral stiffness demands of e-MTB use. E-bike motors deliver torque instantaneously and at sustained levels that exceed what leg power alone produces; spoke patterns that work well on conventional trail bikes can develop tension imbalances or flex under that load more readily than a three-cross pattern does. The threaded connection at the rim adds stability compared to press-fit spoke interfaces, particularly under the cyclical stress that trail riding with motor assist creates. ASTM Category 4 certification means the wheels have been tested to the enduro and trail standard — the same benchmark used for non-electric trail bikes that ride the same terrain, adjusted for the additional system weight and torque of e-MTB applications. Maximum supported system weight is 150kg inclusive of rider, bike, and gear.

Mavic's Infinity hub design is built around a non-contact spoke lacing route: the spokes exit the hub in a geometry that prevents them from contacting each other under load, which eliminates the friction and noise that contact-laced hubs generate during hard acceleration. The hub is also engineered so that front and rear spoke lengths are identical, simplifying trailside repairs — one spoke type covers both wheels. The ID360 freewheel system uses a contactless rubber seal that minimizes freehub drag during coasting. On an e-MTB descent with the motor off, that rolling efficiency contributes meaningfully to battery range and speed maintenance. Engagement is 360-point, so the delay between pedaling and power transfer is minimal — a practical benefit when re-engaging motor assist from low speed through technical sections. Bearings use Mavic's QRM Auto technology: sealed cartridge units with C3 internal clearance and automatic preload adjustment. The self-correcting preload maintains consistent bearing feel over time without manual service intervention.

Axle standards are 15x110mm front and 12x148mm rear — the boost spacing used on essentially all current trail and enduro platforms. Default freehub compatibility covers Shimano Micro Spline and SRAM XD; a Shimano HG MTB aluminum or steel freehub body is available as a separate conversion kit. Brake interface is available in either 6-bolt or Center Lock disc configurations. Each wheel ships with rim tape pre-installed, a UST tubeless valve, two replacement spokes per wheel, and a multifunction adjustment wrench with the rear wheel. Front wheel weighs 800 grams; rear weighs 925 grams.