Late 2010 RockShox started shipping an updated 12mm Rear Maxle Lite to address hub failures, most notably the Hope Pro II, when used with the tapered Maxle. The updated Rear Maxle Lite did away with the external taper, instead its consistent outer diameter providing better support for hub internals. Here’s an excerpt from the related SRAM notice:
Beginning in September RockShox will be shipping an updated Rear Maxle Lite design with a consistent outer diameter along the length of the shaft. This is being done to provide better compatibility with the various hub designs on the market today. Concerns on the ease of installation, removal and support of centrally placed bearings have been raised by some manufactures to SRAM. Our decision to make this change was not based any Rear Maxle Lite failures but in the spirit of partnership with the global base of hub suppliers in making a product which best meets their design needs.
As it turned out my Mojo HD was running a Hope Pro II/Maxle Lite combination so I was keen to get an updated 135x12mm Rear Maxle Lite asap, but it wasn’t available anywhere online or via the distributor in Australia. Bummer. Ibis though had become aware of the Rear Maxle Lite issue and were already fitting new Mojo HD’s with the updated Maxle. As a cool example of Ibis customer support the updated Rear Maxle Lite was added to the online Ibis store, order placed and tadaaa! The Maxle arrived in the mail today. Schwing! Thanks guys.
Apart from the differences in design the other notable (minor) point is the updated Maxle Lite is 10 grams heavier — 61 grams for the original tapered version, 71 grams for the updated non-tapered version. I’d much rather have a robust rear axle that supports the hub vs saving 10 grams.
One cool thing is the updated 135x12mm RearMaxle Lite shipped with the User Manual. Ok it’s a straightforward gadget but it’s always nice to know you are doing things by the book, and finding any support information online regarding the Rear Maxle Lite isn’t easy. I’ve posted the relevant section as an image to this story, for anyone that comes along looking for support info.
Great and useful information.
I was out on my Maxle lite equiped Orange 5 last week when the free hub started sticking.
When i got home, i eventually got the wheel off and the cassette and free hub came off in my hand.
The hope axle had snapped at the edge of the cassette.
Awaiting reply from hope!!!!
Glad the info helped, all the best with it!
Thanks for the info.
I contacted orange who replaced both free of charge without problem.
Service excellent.
Thanks for posting the Maxle manual Pete. You were spot on. No Maxle manual with my bike which was fitted with my first Maxle. Athough I figured tightening and adjustment out with common sense trial and error methodology, it would’ve been helpful if SRAM/RockShox at least put up a manual on their website or a “How to” on You Tube, as the self discovery method it always leaves that niggling “I hope I did it right?” doubt.
For a company that makes and markets some tech kit, they are a bit short on providing info on in service setup & adjustment on same aimed at the end user. Not sure if this is deliberate to try and push people into LBS service shops, but I shouldn’t think so given some of the vids SRAM have on much more complex rebuild procedures. But maybe they figure end users will consider shock or brake rebuilds all too hard or complex and not a try them at home so those vids are there as a procedural adjunct for the bike shop mechanics?
Anyway, appreciated you posting the manual. Very helpful and considerate. Thanks again.