Tech Tuesday - Converting Mavic Crossmax SX Axles

Nov 15, 2011 at 0:27
by Richard Cunningham  
Mavic's tubeless Crossmax SX wheelset is light enough for trail use, but designed to take all-mountain and even park riding in stride. To encompass the wide range of frames and forks in these categories, Mavic designed the SX hubs to accept a variety of quick release and through-axle configurations. The two most popular for all-mountain are a QR-dropout frame paired with a 15QR through-axle fork, and the 142/12-millimeter through-axle frame with either a 20-millimeter or a 15QR through-axle fork. Mavic includes conversions for all three of the above configurations with the SX wheelset. In this Tech Tuesday, we go over the steps to convert Mavic's SX axles from quick release to through-axle in the rear and from 20-millimeter to 15QR in the front hub. The basic switch is easy to do and once you go over the steps, you will be able to convert to all of Mavic's axle options like a pro mechanic.

Mavic makes it simple to switch from quick release to through axle hubs with 15mm or 20mm options up front and either 142 12mm or quick release in the rear. If you must have a quick release front axle then you can order the QR endcaps separately - otherwise Mavic ships a set of alternative endcaps and special hub tools with each set of SX wheels.
Pinkbike starts with a nearly new set of Mavic Crossmax SX wheels in stock configuration and using the parts Mavic ships in its SX wheelset kits and minimal tools, it was a snap to convert the axles to fit a 142/12mm rear through-axle frame and a QR15 through-axle fork.

Mavic Axle Tips:
• As always, start with a clean work area and clean parts. You won't want to be exposing the inners of the freehub and expensive bearings to grime.
• Mavic hubs use fine threads and close tolerances, so use care and a tiny bit of lightweight grease on the endcaps and axles to assist the assembly process.
• This is an easy job, but Crossmax SX wheels are not cheap, so if you don't feel confident once you get into it, have a good shop finish the conversion for you.
More info on Mavic Crossmax SX wheels

Things You ll need clockwise 17mm cone wrench Mavic 15mm front-hub endcaps Mavic 142 12mm rear-hub endcaps Mavic bearing adjust tool 14mm cone wrench or open-end wrench.
Things You'll need: (clockwise) • 17mm cone wrench • Mavic 15mm front-hub endcaps • Mavic 142/12mm rear-hub endcaps • Mavic bearing adjust tool • 14mm cone wrench or open-end wrench.



Crossmax SX Front Axle: 20mm to 15QR Through-Axle


Starting with the front hub find the notches in the 20mm endcaps and fit the edges of the cone wrench and Mavic bearing adjust tool in the slots on opposite ends. Unscrew counter-clockwise and one endcap will come off.
Starting with the front hub, find the notches in the 20mm endcaps and fit the edges of the cone wrench and Mavic bearing adjust tool in the slots on opposite ends • Unscrew counter-clockwise and one endcap will come off.

Slip the edges of the cone wrench and Mavic Bearing tool into the notches in the exposed axle end and remaining endcap to remove the opposite side.
Slip the edges of the cone wrench and Mavic bearing tool into the notches in the exposed axle end and the remaining endcap to remove the opposite cap.

The new 142 12mm front endcap left next to the original 20mm endcap. Notice the O-ring right behind the flange that retains the new 142 12mm endcap inside the Mavic hub axle. The O-ring locks the new endcap in place.
The new 15mm front endcap (left) next to the original 20mm endcap • Notice the O-ring (right) behind the flange that retains the new 142/12mm endcap inside the Mavic hub axle. The O-ring locks the new endcap in place.

Put a tiny amount of grease inside the hollow axle and then slip the endcap into the axle with the short end facing outwards. Push it in firmly by hand until the flange sits flush with the end of the axle. Repeat on the opposite side.
Put a tiny amount of grease inside the hollow axle and then slip the endcap into the axle with the short end facing outwards • Push it in firmly by hand until the flange sits flush with the end of the axle. Repeat on the opposite side.

The front axle has been converted successfuly. Note that there are threads exposed where the 20mm endcaps threaded onto the axle. No worries there.
The front axle has been converted successfuly. Note that there are threads exposed where the 20mm endcaps threaded onto the axle. No worries there.



Crossmax SX Rear Axle: Quick release to 142/12-millimeter Through-Axle


Starting on the rear hub locate the nubs on the Mavic bearing adjustment tool and note that they engage the inner flange on the left side. The left-side endcap is only held in by an O-ring. If it won t pull off by hand then slip the 17mm cone wrench over the endcap on the drive-side of the rear axle and then unscrew the bearing adjustment flange. This will press off the left-side cap.
Starting on the rear hub, locate the nubs on the Mavic bearing adjustment tool and note that they engage the inner, bearing-adjustment flange on the left side. The left-side endcap is only held in by an O-ring • If it won't pull off by hand, then slip the 17mm cone wrench over the endcap on the drive-side of the rear axle and then unscrew the bearing adjustment flange. This will press off the left-side cap.

Once the threaded bearing adjustment cap presses off the endcap spacer pull out the Quick release axle plug by hand. Now slip a 14mm wrench over the exposed axle flats and slip the 17mm cone wrench on the drive-side endcap.
Once the endcap spacer is off, pull out the quick release axle plug by hand • Now slip a 14mm wrench over the exposed axle flats and slip the 17mm cone wrench on the drive-side endcap.

With the 14mm wrench in place on the axle unscrew the drive-side endcap with the 17mm cone wrench. The quick-release plug will come off with the endcap. Now thread in the new 142 12mm endcap hand tight.
With the 14mm wrench in place on the axle, unscrew the drive-side endcap with the 17mm cone wrench • The quick-release plug will come off with the endcap • Now, thread in the new 142/12mm endcap finger tight.

Thread in the left-side bearing adjustment flange finger tight. Use the Mavic bearing adjustment tool and the 17mm cone wrench to set the bearing preload just tight enough so there is no end play and the axle runs friction free in the hub.
Thread in the left-side bearing adjustment flange finger tight. Do not use grease on the adjustment cup as it needs friction to retain the bearing preload setting • Use the Mavic bearing adjustment tool and the 17mm cone wrench to set the bearing preload just tight enough so there is no end play, and the axle runs friction free in the hub.

After you have adjusted the hub bearings slip the 14mm wrench on the left side axle and use the 17mm cone wrench to tighten the drive-side endcap snug is good don t overdo it . Slide the let-side endcap onto the axle and then snap it into place with hand pressure.
After you have adjusted the hub bearings, slip the 14mm wrench on the left side axle and use the 17mm cone wrench to tighten the drive-side endcap (snug is good, don't overdo it) • Slide the left-side endcap onto the axle and then snap it into place with hand pressure.

Our Mavic Crossmax SX wheelset is ready for the trail - 15QR front and 142 12mm rear. The job from start to finish required only 35 minutes.
Our Mavic Crossmax SX wheelset is ready for the trail - 15QR front and 142/12mm rear. The job from start to finish required only 35 minutes.

TT Guest Photographer: Justine Zafran



Past Tech Tuesdays:

Tech Tuesday #1 - How to change a tube.
Tech Tuesday #2 - How to set up your SRAM rear derailleur
Tech Tuesday #3 - How to remove and install pedals
Tech Tuesday #4 - How To Bleed Your Avid Elixir Brakes
Tech Tuesday #5 - How To Check And Adjust Your Headset
Tech Tuesday #6 - How To Fix A Broken Chain
Tech Tuesday #7 - Tubeless Conversion
Tech Tuesday #8 - Chain Wear
Tech Tuesday #9 - SRAM Shift Cable Replacement
Tech Tuesday #10 - Removing And Installing a Headset
Tech Tuesday #11 - Chain Lube Explained
Tech Tuesday #12 - RockShox Totem and Lyric Mission Control Damper Mod
Tech Tuesday #13 - Shimano XT Crank and Bottom Bracket Installation
Tech Tuesday #14 - Straightening Your Derailleur Hanger
Tech Tuesday #15 - Setting Up Your Front Derailleur
Tech Tuesday #16 - Setting Up Your Cockpit
Tech Tuesday #17 - Suspension Basics
Tech Tuesday #18 - Adjusting The Fox DHX 5.0
Tech Tuesday #19 - Adjusting The RockShox BoXXer World Cup
Tech Tuesday #20 - Servicing Your Fox Float Shock
Tech Tuesday #21 - Wheel Truing Basics
Tech Tuesday #22 - Shimano Brake Pad Replacement
Tech Tuesday #23 - Shimano brake bleed
Tech Tuesday #24 - Fox Lower Leg Removal And Service
Tech Tuesday #25 - RockShox Motion Control Service
Tech Tuesday #26 - Avid BB7 Cable Disk Brake Setup
Tech Tuesday #27 - Manitou Dorado Fork Rebuild
Tech Tuesday #28 - Manitou Circus Fork Rebuild
Tech Tuesday #29 - MRP G2 SL Chain Guide Install
Tech Tuesday #30 - Cane Creek Angleset Installation
Tech Tuesday #31 - RockShox Maxle Lite DH
Tech Tuesday #32 - Find Your Tire Pressure Sweet Spot
Tech Tuesday #33 - Three Minute Bike Preflight Check
Tech Tuesday #34 - MRP XCG Install
Tech Tuesday #35 - Stem Choice and Cockpit Setup
Tech Tuesday #36 - Handlebars - How Wide Affects Your Ride
Tech Tuesday #37 - Repairing A Torn Tire
Tech Tuesday #38 - Coil spring swap
Tech Tuesday #39 - Trailside help: Broken Shift Cable
Tech Tuesday #40 - Installing a Fox Float Air-Volume Spacer
Tech Tuesday #41 - Replace the Seals on Your 2011 RockShox Boxxer World Cup Fork
Tech Tuesday #42 - Clean and Lubricate Your Fox F32 Dust Wiper Seals
Tech Tuesday #43 - Thread Locker Basics
Tech Tuesday #44 - Install a SRAM X.0 Two-By-Ten Crankset
Tech Tuesday #45 - VPP Suspension Bearing Service
Tech Tuesday #46 - Rotor Straightening
Tech Tuesday #47 - Finding and fixing that creak
Tech Tuesday #48 - Bleed and Service Magura Marta Disc Brakes
Tech Tuesday #49 - Cup and Cone Hub Basics
Tech Tuesday #50 - Install and Adjust Pedal Cleats
Tech Tuesday #51 - Cup and Cone Hub Rebuild

Visit Parktool.com to see their entire lineup of tools and lubes

Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

35 Comments
  • 12 7
 If you have Crossmax SX wheels and you're looking to change your forks or frame then in my opinion you should either be competent enough to not need this guide or have the money to throw a your LBS to get this done for you.

Surely a bit of winter proofing/readiness advice would be a bit better (at least for everyone in the northern hemisphere) would have been more useful.
  • 1 1
 whats LBS?
  • 1 0
 local bike shop
  • 1 0
 Local Bike Shop
  • 1 0
 local bike shop
  • 1 0
 local bike shoP
  • 37 0
 large back salmon
  • 2 3
 Little blue seal
  • 7 1
 little bitch slapper
  • 3 0
 I have a set of 2010 Crossmax SLR wheels. Needed to convert the front to 15mm through axle for the new fork. Was told by the LBS "can't be done". Bite me. Did my research and found the Risse Racing axle conversion. $40.00 later and 15 minutes of install time and job done. BTW the LBS is the Dubai distributor for Mavic. They have just lost another customer. For ever.
My situation is one among many, If you want something done at all sometimes you resort to doing it yourself.
  • 2 0
 Just heard the same from my lbs , thankfully we all have the internet now
  • 1 0
 I have 2009 Mavic C29ssmax 20mm x 110mm front. Is it possible to grind-down 10mm off each side of the axle ends and pop the Mavic 20mm-to-9mmQR end caps on and run it? Or, can I just replace the 20mm x 110mm axle sleeve with 15mmTA sleeve and end cap it? Does Mavic even sell such internals?
  • 1 0
 I just did this yesterday, with a set of 09 SX wheels, all though i tool the rear wheel to 135x12. To do that, going from 135x9 to 135x12 is east as pie. Just pop out that little 9mm axle adapter and the remaining hole is 12mm job done took me about 45 seconds to convert.
  • 1 0
 Awesome, this is really good to know. I have the same wheel and I need to go from 9mm QR to 135/12mm. Going to try this when I get home. Thanks for the tip you may have just saved me a shit load of money!!
  • 1 0
 I know this is going to come right out of the blue, but i need some advice here. I have just bought a set of mavic crossmax ST wheels with the 20mm hub and a 9mm qr rear. I need to convert the 20mm to a 15mm but i cant seem to find the right adapters online. Can someone point me in the right direction please?
  • 1 0
 Hey i have an important question, were can i get the two rear bolts for a mavic crossmax sx 2010 rear hub the black bolt and the silver one that uses the special mavic tool Big Grin or if you no the product number! thanks!!
  • 1 0
 Risse Racing used to make a 15 mm conversion for the front for older crossmax sx ('07, '08-ish). They don't reply to emails so I am not sure they still operate, anybody else know?
  • 1 0
 Hi. Is this adaptor compatible with Cr29ssmax wheelset? There are 2 adaptors, one for 2011 and another for 2012. Wich one is compatible with Cr2ssmax? Can anyone help me? Thanks
  • 1 0
 is this just newer sx's. i think mine are 06ish and maybe st's. how many or what models can you convert to 12 x 142. i also have threaded 135 deemax. will these convert? thanks in advance
  • 13 1
 And here we go with pictures again...... Like honestly who are the pics and words helping BRING BACK THE VIDEOS MAN!
  • 7 1
 Yeah tech Tuesday is getting watered down with the pics..
  • 5 0
 People that can read and comprehend will make it through an axle swap just fine. I doubt a video would have covered six year old wheels anyway.
  • 1 0
 i agree with Hustler, tho the videos were nice in my opinion...
  • 1 0
 I have 08 SX's with a QR rear. Is there anyway to make these into 135x10mm rear?
  • 1 1
 these are only the 2012 and later models. I have 2010s and they are 12x135 rear but I have the 142mm adapters. The front wheel you are stuck with 20mm
  • 1 0
 Does anyone know the part number for those 15mm adaptors. Cant find them anywhere
  • 1 0
 Very helpful since the instructions provided in the Mavic manual on how to remove the 20mm plugs is a joke.
  • 1 0
 Does anyone know if the 142/12 rear axle conversion works with Crossmax ST wheels?
  • 1 0
 i wouldn't mind having a tech tuesday on fitting headsets or has there been one?
  • 2 2
 What happened to the other guy that did the tech Tuesdays? Sorry Richard but I never was a fan of Mountain bike fiction
  • 2 0
 No worries mate. Mike Levy did most of them early on. He and I split them now, so you can have your fix every other week and skip my stuff if you want. For the bring-back-video folks, It will be a bit before I get my studio set for video. Now, I shoot them in BC four or five times a year, so we will have some coming down the pipe soon. Some want pics, some want video. We decided that we should do both. RC
  • 6 0
 To tell ya the truth RC I actually enjoyed your columns in MBA. Especially Ask R.C. Ever sense you left MBA the mag kinda when downhill (not MTB DH). Im just glad to see your still around the MTB scene to share your wealth of knowledge.
  • 1 0
 Pics were good, video allows you to see more but good job on pics very well layed out. Deemax and i9 next
  • 1 0
 very useful information. thanks. the mavic manuals do not provide this kind of guidance. much appreciated, Richard!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.030106
Mobile Version of Website