The Mavic Crosstrail SL 29in wheel builds its front and rear rims to different specs, since the rear carries more load on rough trail and enduro terrain. The rear rim stands 25mm tall with 28 spokes in a 3-cross pattern, while the front runs a lighter 22mm profile with 24 spokes in a 2-cross pattern for quicker steering. Black Shield treatment doubles the rim's resistance to rock strikes and scratches, and FORE construction threads the spoke nipples directly into the rim bridge instead of drilling through it, keeping the joint stronger under repeated impact. What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I've dragged this wheel through a full season of rock gardens and root sections without a dent making it past the surface coating. The rim stays true and round underneath, ride after ride."