Bicycle Mechanics - Need help with rear wheel

I'm optomistic that some of you here can help me with the replacement of a rear wheel. I have a Mavic Ksyrium Equipe rear wheel that has developed rim splits along six of the spoke holes. Hence, I need to replace it. I've tried to be diligent in figuring out the best route to go, but am getting very mixed information. I've taken the wheel to four different bike shops to ask about replacing the wheel with something stronger. In all four shops they've been very surprised to see a wheel that has failed so badly. All four shops have also given me different information about wheels concering strength. Two of the shops say that the Mavic Ksyrium series is one of the strongest, and that includes the Equipe. One of those shops swears that the Mavic Ksyrium Elite is stronger than the Equipe. Another of the four shops says that the only way to go is Shimano Dura Ace 7800 hubs with Open Pro Mavic rims. The fourth shop says the Open Pro Mavic - Shimano combination is no stronger than the Mavic Ksyrium Elite. This fourth shop also says I can have the rim replaced and the wheel rebuilt. They think the current wheel is not typical and that there must have been some kind of defect for it to fail as it has. They also say they have to special order a rim from Mavic to get it and this could take some time. All four shops sell all of the brands mentioned. Frankly, I don't know who to believe. When I read reviews for RoadBike Review, I get mixed information as well. Is there any reliable source that evaluates these things independently? Do any of you have insight, recommendations, experience with the likes of this? All I want to do is get a reasonably decent set of wheels that perform well, let me run the 9 speed set up, and won't fail on me as the Equipe's did. I'm 215 lbs. Average about 17 to 18 mph on road rides, moderate amount of climbing, don't do any racing, but do long rides (3 - 4 hours).

I'm 215 lbs. Average about 17 to 18 mph on road rides, moderate amount of climbing, don't do any racing, but do long rides (3 - 4 hours).

You have the wrong set of wheels for the type of riding you do. I don't know how concerned you are about the weight of your wheelset, but for a guy of your size who doesn't race and does longer rides I would certainly replace those low spoke count wheels with wheels more suitable for, say, touring, i.e. something more bombproof & with a higher spoke count - 32 or 36 spokes.

The wheelset you have is an entry level racing wheelset. But you don't race. And you are a pretty big guy. All of your bike shops seem to be giving you mediocre (at best) advice, it's a little baffling.

The open pros have a great rep for being bombproof and are available in higher spoke counts. The guy b wants you to get Dura Ace hubs because they are more expensive. You can get something cheaper.

Something like this is a great deal and I think would be more appropriate for you:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=19253&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=5320&CFID=2864005&CFTOKEN=97147424

SPLYTZ1: Thanks for the reply and link. As you might guess, I'm new at this and appreciate your response.

BSLeVan: SPL has some pretty good advice... I'll throw in some potentially dissenting opinions however.

I run Shimano R500s on my road bike. I don't really race, I do a 'fun' race ride once in a while. I hover between 230 and 240 pounds and Haven't had an issue with them yet.

At one point I quizzed shimano on their Custom wheel philosophy, since they do seem to have a trend towards lower spoke counts than a heavier gentleman such as myself would be comfortable with normally.

Their claim was that their wheels accross the board are designed to be as strong as a traditional 32 spoke 3 cross wheel. My experiences with them so far lead me to agree...

That said the main disadvantage of 'botique' wheels in general is that they sometimes use exotic parts (Straight pull and/or Aero Spokes) that can be a pain to find at many shops. And when you -do- have a rim failiure you are stuck buying a whole new wheel typically.

I couldn't give you a very strict reccomendation without knowing more about your setup, but I'd look into Open Pros with 105 or Ultegra hubs laced in. The Ultegras aren't really much lighter but if you get a good deal on them go for it...

Also, Dura-Ace 7800 Rear hubs will only take a 10 speed cassete so that's out the window anyway.

Any of the upper line Shimano hubs laced with 32 or 36 spokes to a good quality rim should be both less expensive, at LEAST equally durable and much easier to repair than any proprietary wheel. Ultegra or 105 hubs are great and will take any 8,9 or 10-speed cassette. As noted, current Dura Ace hubs are 10-speed only.

I'd also like to suggest Mavic's CXP-33 rims. They cost about the same as Open Pros but have a slightly deeper cross section, are slightly more aero and a bit more rigid. The weight penalty is negligable.

I agree with HillRider about Mavic CXP33 rims. They're 40-50g heavier (each) than the Open Pro, but have a sterling record for durability and quality control. The Open Pro is a very nice rim, but is simply a lighter rim that won't be as durable at the extremes of wear. (I run an Open Pro on my rear wheel with 32 spokes, 14/17/14 butted, but I only weigh 180# and the wheel is perfectly-tensioned.)

I'm another who would be happy to recommend the Mavic CXP33 rim. I have a set that outlasted the hubs they were on, so were used to make a "new" wheelset. They are about as close to a "fit and forget" component as you can get, in my experience. Also I have some Velocity Deep V rims, which seem to be of similar durability.

Ed

I am 6'1" @ 210 lbs and recently replaced my Ksysrium Equipe wheels (similar rim diiculties) with Ultegra hubs, 32 Sapim 14-15-14 spokes laced 3X to Velocity Fusion rims. I assembled a wheelset with the same hubs/spoke comboon Open Pro rims and I think the Fusion rims are a bit stiffer/smoother than the OPs and about the same weight....definitely easier to build with than OPs.

+1 to getting away from low spoke count wheels. It's a pretty silly trend that offers minimal benefits that are only applicable in racing, and barely in that arena.

I hear people talk about how they have 3,000 miles on a set of boutique wheels and haven't had to true them. That's barely any mileage at all. You should be able to get 30,000 miles out of a set of wheels if they're not race equipment.