Road Cycling - Campy wheel question

To anyone whos more experienced equipment wise than me.
I have an Cannondale R500 04 model (european spec). As an entry level bike most of the components can be described as entry level as well, which doesn't bother me that much as I am relatively new to road riding (convert from MTB). The wheel set supplied as standard is called a Mach 1 CFX on Cannondales own CODA hubs. For comparison purposes the same bike in US spec is with Mavic CXP22 wheels (which I have been told is also pretty average at best).
I have recently been offered the free use of a Campagnolo Omega Strada Hardox rims on 105 hubs.
Does anyone have any experience or recommendation of this wheel ? As I know nothing about them. Without the use of accurate scales, it is hard to weigh them, however they do seem a reasonable amount lighter than my current entry level wheel.
They are true and in great condition. I just need to know whether its worth the bother to swap all my gear over if its also a crap wheel set. Will it make a reasonable difference to my ride if they are lighter and better.

If it matters, I am 31 yrs old and about 147 lbs and in reasonably fit shape from lots of other sports. I have been road riding for fitness for only a year after MTB riding for the past 3 or so years

Thanks in advance for any advice.

To anyone whos more experienced equipment wise than me.
I have an Cannondale R500 04 model (european spec). As an entry level bike most of the components can be described as entry level as well, which doesn't bother me that much as I am relatively new to road riding (convert from MTB). The wheel set supplied as standard is called a Mach 1 CFX on Cannondales own CODA hubs. For comparison purposes the same bike in US spec is with Mavic CXP22 wheels (which I have been told is also pretty average at best).
I have recently been offered the free use of a Campagnolo Omega Strada Hardox rims on 105 hubs.
Does anyone have any experience or recommendation of this wheel ? As I know nothing about them. Without the use of accurate scales, it is hard to weigh them, however they do seem a reasonable amount lighter than my current entry level wheel.
They are true and in great condition. I just need to know whether its worth the bother to swap all my gear over if its also a crap wheel set. Will it make a reasonable difference to my ride if they are lighter and better.

If it matters, I am 31 yrs old and about 147 lbs and in reasonably fit shape from lots of other sports. I have been road riding for fitness for only a year after MTB riding for the past 3 or so years

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Free use? What does that mean? If they are indeed free, then I would snatch them up. However, what's your biggest fear concerning the Cannondale wheels? I guess you could break a spoke or two, ride the wheel out of true, etc. But all of these problems are fixable for small coin. Sure, you could potentially be left stranded, but often times (and especially at your weight) you can make it home in one piece.

If weight is your concern than I'm afraid we won't be able to answer your question. It would be up to you to decide if you want to make the investment.

Personally, I would ride the wheels that came on the bike until I gained an appreciation with what I want out of cycling. For example, you may become interested in racing in a year or two and want to invest in a higher-end set of wheels.

-mark

Sorry, I wasnt that clear on my concerns about the standard wheel set. I dont have concerns over the quality etc they are fine and fitted with good quality spokes etc.
I was only wondering whether I would be gaining a performance advantage with the Campy wheelset. My interest in road cycling at the moment is for fitness and training. However I am by nature a competetive person and push myself all the time and if I can ride 1/2 or 1 mph quicker over a given course, then that would be my motivation.
Of course time on the bike and fitness are by far the most important thing for my better performance but I can have these wheels on a permanent no expense loan basis (from another family member who is giving up cycling for health reasons).

Cheers

If you can try them out, it would take about 15 minutes to swap out. If you don't like them, 15 more minutes to change back. This is assuming you have the proper tools.

For the price of a cassette lockring tool and a chain whip, you will be able to check the Campy rims out for yourself. You should probably have those tools anyway, so it is money well spent even if you wind up staying with the original wheels. My gut instinct tells me that you will prefer the Campy rims better, and you will still have the Mach1's for a backup set.

Yes, I have all the tools from my MTB ing days. In actual fact since this original post I took the full front wheel, tyre and tube assembly of each type and weighed them on some accurate (kitchen scales).

Results : -
MACH1 wheel with DT spokes, Cannondale hub and Hutchinson flash tyre
= 1330 grams

Canmpy wheel on 105 hub with Michelen slick tyre
= only about 100 grammes less.

So its not that much after all, and I suspect most of the additional weight is in the rubbish Hutchinson flash tyre, as opposed to the Michelen. The actual published rim weight for the Mach 1 is 460 g, which whilst not a racer is not bad for general use, is this right ?