Road Cycling - Wheel set, what to get?

Hey there all,

Originally I was just going to build some wheels, but lately have been thinking maybe a wheel set would be nice. a lot of people seem to say the engineered setups really do give you a benefit.

I am kind of leaning toward the Mavic Ksyrium Elites, but was wondering if anyone else has any favorites in the same general price range (500+/- US$)

I am looking more for best bang for the buck than overall lowest price, so could go up a bit if it were really worth it, i/e 2x better wheel for $100 extra etc.

Take care,

Jester

I bought a pair of Ksyrium SL's in February and they are fantastic, I wish I had them on both my road bikes. The Elites are also very good but a bit heavier.

CHEERS.

Mark

Ksyrium's all the way. SSC Sl's if you can afford them
If not Elites will do

Rolf vector comps......

I have the pros and love them, although they are a little heavy for "racing" wheels. I know a bunch of people with the comps, and they are not to pricy at all ($300 at the most), i would say Ksyriums if you really want, but the bang for the buck is in the rolfs.

-Ross

Ksyrium's Kick butt. Like everybody said, SL's if you have the cash but the elites are not bad either. Ebay has both for sale for great prices.

Bill F.

Originally posted by Dutchy
I bought a pair of Ksyrium SL's in February and they are fantastic, I wish I had them on both my road bikes. The Elites are also very good but a bit heavier.

CHEERS.

Mark
I love my elites.100g or less difference.Is that worth $300 bucks?

Originally posted by shokhead
100g or less difference.Is that worth $300 bucks?

:D Some will consider this a bargain... It all depends on the weight weenie versus dollar exchange rate.

Personally, I am not too concerned with weight. I think that with a difference of only 100 g (is that all?), you won't be able to tell the Elite from the SL. On flats, it wouldn't probably even matter...

Why not build up a really nice custom set? You'll probably be under $500 no matter what, and you can have your LBS build them up to your specs exactly. You can get a set built up with King hubs (mmmmmmmmm), triple butted spokes laced to your liking and a nice lightweight rim for under $500 and not be reliant on proprietary spokes breaking or truing being a pain in the arse.

If you're looking for bang for the buck, it's the way to go. And they're still going to be nice and light for the climbs.

Originally posted by ImprezaDrvr
If you're looking for bang for the buck, it's the way to go. And they're still going to be nice and light for the climbs.

True, that was the way I was leaning in the first place, but its pretty flat around here, and aero would be nice.

Problem with that is I love climbing, and most aero setups you lace yourself are awful stiff or heavy.

A wheelset seems a good way to get the aero advantage and a weight advantage at the same time.

My original plan was:
Chorus hubs with mavic open pro rims.

laced 2x front wheel & rear non drive side with 15/16 butted spokes and alloy nipples

rear drive side 3x with 14/15 spokes and brass nipples.

in any event, those would be nice and light and I think strong enough for my 155lb body, but no aero advantage at all :(

in any event, I havent decided yet, still thinking. The only brand i'm not considering is shimano, since i've decided to go with a campy group, if i put shimano wheels on it it woudlnt seem right to me.

thanks,

Steve

Mavic Cosmics are pretty sweet too.

Here is the carbon variety. :D

Yeah, I'm building my bike and I'm going to get Mavic Cosmics (non-carbon, hehe). They are sweet and plus they match my color scheme.

-Dan the Man-

Originally posted by ~LongRider~
Mavic Cosmics are pretty sweet too.

From what i've read if you want to use those with campy you need an adapter cassette, won't work with stock campy.

peas,

Jester

Check out the Campy Zonda wheelsets too, they are under your $500 price limit and the hubs are all record inside. From what I've been told they are the record hubs from two years ago.

the cosmics are also available with a campagnolo compatible freewheel just like the Lsyrium ssc sl

Okay,,, so we've decided for you. You will get carbon Cosmics, with Campy hubs. Im glad we worked through that. :D

Dont look cheap,get the elites.

Campy Euros have received some nice reviews from those that own them. They are about 1560 grams and pretty aero. They have the record hubs. They run about $560 on e-bay. My brother in law has them and they look like a real nice wheelset.