Road Cycling - Best $500ish wheelset

I am having trouble deciding between Mavic and Bontrager wheelset. I am looking for a reasonably light wheelset for racing use. it doesnt have to be under 500 but close would be nice. Are there any other options? I am under 135lbs.

The Ksyrium elites are in that range I beleive. Strong and light. The SSC SL will run around 700-750.

I ride a set of the SSC SL's and over three seasons not one trip to the truing stand and they run straight as the day I bought em'. My riding weight has been from 185-205 over the past seasons as well and some of my routes cross a lot of rough roads and RR tracks.

I am having trouble deciding between Mavic and Bontrager wheelset. I am looking for a reasonably light wheelset for racing use. it doesnt have to be under 500 but close would be nice. Are there any other options? I am under 135lbs.

Bontrager Race Lites are $450 and should fit the bill. The Mavic's Sam recommended are also great wheels. At your weight, you shouldn't have any problem with either set.

Elites! :D

Elites and you'll be trouble free and they stay true.

what do the elites go for?

www.getawaybikes.com has them for $429.That the cheapest i've seen.

peformance wants $549.00 thats quite a difference, a 20% off coupon would be great. Are they reputable? i see mavic has the Krysium Eqipe wheels, whats the difference.

Ksyrium Elites have stainless steel aerodynamic spokes. (18 front, 20 rear.)

Ksyruim Equipes have stainless steel straight pull round spokes. (20 front, 24 rear.)

Take a look at the Cosmos set as well. :)

I have 5,980 miles on a set of Bontrager Race Lites without truing and they still roll straight and true. They don't look as good as the Ksyrium wheels - but they are a great wheelset for the money!

peformance wants $549.00 thats quite a difference, a 20% off coupon would be great. Are they reputable? i see mavic has the Krysium Eqipe wheels, whats the difference.

The Mavic Ksyrium Elite was introduced in 2003 and was universally loved for one simple fact: the benefits of high-end Ksyrium technology trickled down to a new, lower price. It resembles the Ksyrium SL in a multitude of ways, and varies only as follows: (1) The color. For 2004 it continues to use black rims and spokes. (2) The spokes. Rather than employing Zircal aluminum spokes, the Elite uses ultra-bladed stainless steel spokes. (3) The rims. While the Elite rim is identical to the SL rim in construction, it doesn't have the same machined sections in between the spoke nipples. (4) The front hub. Rather than making the change to a front composite hub, it continues to have an aluminum shell.

Differences from the SL aside, no other wheelset under $500 offers anywhere near as much value or performance as they Ksyrium Elite. You get virtually all of the aerodynamic benefit of the SL's, and you lose none of its durability. And as with the SL, you are the beneficiary of technology like Mavic's UB Control and SUP treatments, giving you a perfectly machined braking surface and welded/machined rims, ensuring consistent and reliable day in and day out performance. The only central differences are weight and price.

The Elite is available in clincher only (1770g). They have 18 spokes on the front, 20 spokes on the rear. The front spokes are radial, the rear spokes are 2-cross. They are available for both Shimano 8/9/10-speed drivetrains, as well as Campagnolo 9/10. They come standard with Mavic composite quick release skewers and a bearing adjustment tool.


The Mavic Ksyrium Equipe is the newest member of the Ksyrium family. It uses the same black anodized 25mm rim as the Ksyrium Elite, providing an aerodynamic edge in comparison to a standard Open Pro rim. And like the Elite, the Equipe features a perfectly machined braking surface and welded/machined construction for an optimum combination of performance and durability. Think of them as an ultra-tough wheelset ideal for long mileage in the worst conditions. Despite their stoutness, though, the rim profile and low spoke count mean you don’t ignore all aerodynamic considerations.

The Equipe comes in at 30% less expensive than the Elite thanks to a combination of small details. Unlike the aluminum threaded spoke eyelets of the Elite, the Equipe uses single stainless steel eyelets (this is why you don't have to use rimstrips on either the SL or the Elite, but you do on the Equipe). And instead of the radically bladed spokes of the Elite, the Equipe uses round, black, stainless steel spokes. While the Equipe uses the identical lightweight FTS-L steel freehub body as the Elite and the SL, its sealed bearing hubs aren't as easily adjusted, although they are fully serviceable otherwise. They're basically the same hubs you'll find on the bombproof Cosmos wheelset.

The Equipe is available in clincher only (1835g). They have 20 spokes on the front, 24 spokes on the rear. The front spokes are radial, the rear spokes are 2-cross. They are available for both Shimano 8/9/10-speed drivetrains, as well as Campagnolo 9/10. They come standard with Mavic aluminum quick release skewers.

Here is a guy who raced pro for 7 up before they split selling some elites for a good price.

http://stlbiking.com/ivb/index.php?act=ST&f=16&t=3182&

Here is a guy who raced pro for 7 up before they split selling some elites for a good price.

http://stlbiking.com/ivb/index.php?act=ST&f=16&t=3182&
Elites dont use a rim strip,whats he talking about?

Second hand SSC SL's. You could easily get a set for $500 off ebay or similar.

What do you guys think of the Cane Creek Aerohead?

dont steal my thread;)

Not trying to. The CC Crono Aerohead lists in the 500ish, and Nashbar has it on sale for half that.

Check out White Industries road wheels. Off the top of my head they weigh in around the same as SL SCCs but cost 5-550

You may also want to look at Velomax. I like their tech features, and the wheels have a strong rep around here.

The aerohead is a good wheel but it is also one of those "special" wheels that is not really special...

Try looking at a good light standard wheel... Like the Mavic Open Pro rims with dura-ace hubs....

Lighter than kysriums and uses standard spokes...

Um... Correction before someone says so...

Open pro is 200 g lighter than equipe
150g lighter than Elite

but is 100g heaver than SSC SL

BUT it uses standard hub and spoke technology and with a 3x spoke pattern you won't be sittin on the side of the road with a broke spoke holding you back!

i am speechless that ksyrium elites are available for $429 (i bought them for the same price) and we are still debating this. buy them now!!

p.s.:the power is in the hubs. they roll so smoothly...

open pro/ultegra weight less than elites????

Hmmm... Not checked the weight of the ultegra hubs... I suspect with DA being 150g lighter that the ultegras may put things on balance...

Yep... Ultegra hubs are only 55g heaver than DA. Therefore Ultegra and OP rims should be 100g lighter than Elites...

You are paying for the bladed spoke and lower spoke count... Which doens't really help a lot...IMHO...

no no no

elites are a little lighter than open pro's.
but perhaps the weight is negligible. first: mavic elites come with mavic hubs, simply a much better hub than any shimano hub over time (less rolling resistance and great durability)

go to a shop and pick up the front wheel of an open pro wheel and an elite wheel. spin it and time how long it spins on its own. case closed.
second: it is true that elites are SLIGHTLY LESS in weight than open pro's (we are talking about 70-100 grams less) 2004 model to 2004 model-look on the mavic site.
third:and this is important: the bladed spoke is very significant because of how it is laced to the rim. more of the weight of the ELITE is centered near the hub. elite doesn't require rim tape and the radical lacing allows for less spoke count.
fourth: its the hubs baby.

where the weight is concentrated is more important than overall weight.
ultimately it doesn't matter what you pay for elites because no matter what you spend you will agree that it is worth it. ride them and see. nothing against OP's-i love them. own 2 pairs. i have rode more miles on OP's than any other wheelset, but c'mon. elites cannot be beat for the price. elites are the most significant upgrade one can make to a road bike. period.

What is IMHO?

I - in; M - my; H - humble; O - opinion

And I'll vote for Elites. Have two pairs and they have and continue to be great!!

As far as weight compared to Open Pro's with 32 spoke count, they weigh 27 grams more than the Open Pro's with DT double-butted spokes and a Record hub. That is for the set. So the weight is a non-issue. All weights are from the Campy, DT and Mavic websites if you care to add them up yourself. Don't forget the ferrules.

I'm partial to Mavic's myself, but anyone riding Dave Thomas' Speed Dream Aerolite wheels? White hubs, Sapim bladed spokes, Velocity rims, 1490 gms for the set, $549. Have heard some good comments about them in the past, especially White's hubs. Here's the link:
http://speeddream.com/road.php
Any opinions?

Oh I'm not saying don't buy the eliets...

I own 4 wheelsets...

Spinergy Xaero
Mavic Cosmo
Topolino
Spinergy Tilium

Tney all served a purpose. The Xaero was my main wheelset a few years ago and they are pretty well worn out.

The Cosmo is my training wheel Basically a good rugged wheel, though it uses special straignt pull spokes, those mavic hubs are sweet. Altough I've seen problems with the front hub on the Kysrium. Could just be a defect in a one of million chance though.

The Topolinos are for special climbing events... Assault on Mt Mitchell, Six gap and others where I want a light wheel (1390g/pr). I've had problems with the hubs on these wheels though others I've talked to have no problems.

The Tilium Spinergy is my TT wheelset. I rode these for a month testing them and they are bomb proof. Like the Mavic hubs these hubs are sweet! The carbon spokes, like the Xaero, are also nice as they dampen vibration and are still stiffer than standard steel spokes. These wheels with they 45mm hub flange are a little of a sail in strong crosswinds. Not so bad that I couldn't ride them all the time but sometimes I want to roll and not think about twisting the bars so much in a cross wind.

I'm building up an Audax bike for brevet riding and also for solo or credicard trips/rides. I've looked a lot at the open pros. I was surprised at how light they were compared to "all of the above" and they use standard spokes.

You could build up the open pro rims with non-shimano hubs (ones that could also be sealed bearings like the mavic/spinergy) and then the weight would be no question less than the elites and the comments about smoothness would be nill too.

BTW bearing freedom of movement will vary under load... Therefore a wheel that spins freely without load may actually contain more rolling resistance under load. So I don't buy into the free-spinning scenario demonstrated above (though it does have some degree of merit)...


As for weight concentration is concerned, sure center mass is better than mass on the outer edge but when we are talking about small amounts of grams it is questionalble...

That comment about not needing rimtape... I suspect the holes drilled into the open pro rims to allow the spoke nipples,is more than the weight of the rim tape!

Alos while the spoke heads are concentrated into the center of the hub, there is special screw in spoke nipples on the elites that offset the weight savings of the special hub pattern.

ANd sure the straight pull saves some minor weight in reduced spoke count (and smaller flange on hub) but that is offset with the need for a stronger rim to give it lateral strength... AKA why the Kyseriums are semi-v with shaved material to get rid of this extra weight where it is not needed.

The bottom line is pick the wheel for the job but don't think that there is really a lot of difference between wheels as far as overall performance or weight savings... Esp in the sets we've talked about (kysrium, Elites, open pros)..

Deep V rims have a different purpose... Some wheels like topolinos and Spinergy have "softer" rides IMHO (there it is again :) because they use carbon-spoke technology.

And things get really muddy when you are talking about weight savings and ride type, crits vs century vs 300k vs road race... Heck you could be screwing up all of your performance gain by using a heavy tube/tire or the wrong crank-length or gear-cluster!

If you want to show off at the coffee shop then I would recommend becoming FAST first and then buying the most expensive and unique wheelset you can find. Don't look fast unless you are fast :) And if you are fast you dont have to look fast :)

Oops... Topolinos are not deep-V rims... They are very-very narrow rims. I think I shouda seperated deep-v from the bit about carbon and PBO spoke technology.

There is only one clear choice in your price range; American Classic CR420.
It will surpass all the above mentioned wheelsets in all areas. You can get them with 16/20 DT Swiss Bladed Aero spokes for your weight.

Cheers

There is only one clear choice in your price range; American Classic CR420.
It will surpass all the above mentioned wheelsets in all areas. You can get them with 16/20 DT Swiss Bladed Aero spokes for your weight.

Cheers
Just so we all know,how do they surpass the elites for $429?

Just so we all know,how do they surpass the elites for $429?

I believe the original post mentioned "around 500$", so the CR420 fall in this range (550$). Check out the following review for a better description of this wheelset:


http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=767

I believe the original post mentioned "around 500$", so the CR420 fall in this range (550$). Check out the following review for a better description of this wheelset:


http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=767
Sounds like they liked them.Seems to be on par with the elites but for a little more money.I wonder how they hold up under a lot of riding?That was the main reason i got the elites,you never have to true them even if you ride on very bad roads.Well almost never,never is a long time but i've read riders not needing to true them after many 1000's of miles.

Well, I've been riding them for a while now, and they seem to be rock solid.
The Elites are excellent wheels as well, but ACs are not in the same category. It would be more accurate to compare these wheels to Mavic's SCC sets. I rode them both, and American Classics are far better.


Cheers

Well, I've been riding them for a while now, and they seem to be rock solid.
The Elites are excellent wheels as well, but ACs are not in the same category. It would be more accurate to compare these wheels to Mavic's SCC sets. I rode them both, and American Classics are far better.


Cheers
Glad your happy with them as i am with the elites.I guess rider weight has some bearing on wheelset to.Thats why i went with elites as i am 192.