Road Cycling - Bontrager Race Lite or Mavic ksyrium Elite

I'm currently riding the Bontrager Race Lites that came stock on my '03 LeMond Zurich. After about 1,000 mi I like them quite a bit - strong, fast, not too heavy, and they look pretty good too- but I really have nothing else to compare them to.

I now have the chance to trade straight across for a set of ksyrium elites w/similar milage and in excellent condition.

I realize there are better/other choices, but right now I have a choice between these two at zero dollar diffrence.

Whatcha think?

if you're happy with the bontragers there is no reason to change.

if i didn't have a wheelset and had to pick between the two, i'd go with the bontrager anyway, just because i have a lot of respect for keith.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Go with what you like.

Me, I'd get the Ksyriums, but I have a set so I know for a fact they are what I like.

You never know what the others have hit... you know yours. I've got the Ksyriums, and I like them. After 1000 miles, the rider's size/weight and what they've hit with them makes a difference.

I have the Race Lites and recently looked into upgrading. I had a chance to get the Ksyrium SSL SC's new for $420 and concluded after riding them that, although a better overall wheel, it wasn't worth the added expense...even at that great price. I came away appreciating the Bonty's even more.

As for a straight up trade, I sincerely doubt you'll feel a truly significant gain with the Elites and you may end up not liking them nearly as well. Stick with what you have.

55/Rad

Hi, I have both those sets and there is not enough differance between the two to justify changing, I change mine to have a different look, sometimes I like the bontragers and some days I like the elites, I had the elites on a bike before I bought my new one and I got the bontragers from my brother in law who bought a trek and he put on the ksyrium SL's,

Gary

Bontrager...Trek's house brand.
Remember how Lance would not ride anything up the mountains in the TDF unless it was on Ksyriums? Even though Bontrager was the wheel sponsor?
Finally Bontrager came out with the Ksyrium clone complete with scalloped rim just like the SSC SL's? I guess they got tired of being embarassed. Lance on Lightweights was enough, I guess 3 different wheel brands in one race kinda makes Bontrager's "exclusive" contract to USPS moot.

Ksyriums are better wheels. I think the elite tubulars are what Lance rode in the last few TDF's.
There are a couple things I don't like about the Mavics but I'll take them over Bontragers.
Just my opinion.

I prefer the Ksyriums but if theres naught wrong with your current wheels why change for another set of 2nd hand wheels.
Better the wheel you know.

PS: Although I have a lot of respect for Keith Bontrager, mavic has been building wheels long before Keith formed hisfirst opinion on wheels. I reckon they know whatthey are doing, butI'd take Keiths wheels if Mavics were not available.

Common people................... do a search on the forum before you ask the SAME old questions over and over!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=11121&highlight=Bontrager+Race+Lites

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=45964

Bontrager...Trek's house brand.
Remember how Lance would not ride anything up the mountains in the TDF unless it was on Ksyriums? Even though Bontrager was the wheel sponsor?
Finally Bontrager came out with the Ksyrium clone complete with scalloped rim just like the SSC SL's? I guess they got tired of being embarassed. Lance on Lightweights was enough, I guess 3 different wheel brands in one race kinda makes Bontrager's "exclusive" contract to USPS moot.

Ksyriums are better wheels. I think the elite tubulars are what Lance rode in the last few TDF's.
There are a couple things I don't like about the Mavics but I'll take them over Bontragers.
Just my opinion.


oh yeah...if Lance is ridin' it...it's gotta be the best...yep...no doubt...shheeeesshhh

I have a friend that rode cyclocross on the Ksyriums....that's how strong they are. I have a set and they are really stiff front and back, but laterally not as stiff as they used to be. As a result, you can hammer these through turns without any skipping or loss of control. I noted the Bontragers were stiffer laterally. I have a full carbon Time fork and like the combination.

However, at 20+ MPH riding speed in a cross wind, I feel that more with the flatter aero/blade spokes.

But I really like the stiffness.

IMO

Common people................... do a search on the forum before you ask the SAME old questions over and over!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=11121&highlight=Bontrager+Race+Lites

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=45964


I don't get it - what do the habbits of common people have to do anything? OH, you meant "c'mon people". Hm.

Well, thanks for posting, your advise is really going to help me with my decision.

Thanks for the great replies - I know this topic gets kicked around a lot. I am leaning toward the Ksyriums. They're coming off my bro's bike and I know they're lo milage and in great shape. I hate to jump on the Mavic bandwagon, but - given the fact that both wheels are so similar in performance - I do prefer the looks of the Ksyriums, especially on my black LeMond Zurich. Also, when I eventually upgrade to a top of the line wheelset, I cannot see my self plunking down $700 on Bontrager Race-X lites. It is more likely to be a choice between SL's, Shimano 7800's, or a even custom built set (Chris King/Open Pro). Riding the Elites for a few months will give me a better idea of what the SL's might have to offer.

Thanks again eveyone. This is a great forum.

oh yeah...if Lance is ridin' it...it's gotta be the best...yep...no doubt...shheeeesshhh

When a rider will use Mavic's product- even though they are sponsored by Bontrager, that says alot about the Mavics.

When Bontrager comes out with a new wheel and it is a copy of the Mavic, that says alot about the Mavics.

I have SSC SL's and I like them alot.

In reality, both wheelsets are run of the mill. Just ride what you've got and save up for something significantly better (I'll expose myself to potential ridicule, or have I already done that, by suggesting White Industries, Reynolds, FSA, Rolf, American Classic, etc., or have the wheel builder at your local pro LBS lace up the wheels of your/his dreams (Start with some 130 spaced King hubs). Good Luck.

In reality, both wheelsets are run of the mill. Just ride what you've got and save up for something significantly better (I'll expose myself to potential ridicule, or have I already done that, by suggesting White Industries, Reynolds, FSA, Rolf, American Classic, etc., or have the wheel builder at your local pro LBS lace up the wheels of your/his dreams (Start with some 130 spaced King hubs). Good Luck.
Actually some of those you mentioned are good wheels. The Reynolds wheels ahve received rave reviews but some are also gimmicky ie FSA trile flange.
The american classic are nothing special except their hubs, Rolf's are also good but don't break a spoke. The wheel is never the same thereafter.

The Mavic Ksyrium is the industry benchmark. Perhaps some can better it here or there, but for allround performance, strength and relatively low cost it cannot be beat by any of the wheels mentioned above

I went ahead and traded for the Elites, mostly because I like the way they look on my bike.

Well, you guys were right - there's no significant difference between these two wheels in terms of performance. Th elites might be a shade heavier but seem to roll just a tiny bit quicker.

I would like to upgrade soon and am considering either the SL's or a custom set (w/ Chris King hubs). I weigh around 75 kilos and am more interested in all around road racing than crits or TT's. Any reccommendations?

Thanks.

Ksyrium Sl are the way to go.
Although CK hubs are good, they are also expensive and don't offer any advantage over the MAvic hubs fitted in the Ksyrium SSC SL.

Ksyrium Sl are the way to go.
Although CK hubs are good, they are also expensive and don't offer any advantage over the MAvic hubs fitted in the Ksyrium SSC SL.

CK hubs are better than Mavic hubs! Are you nuts!?

If you want to build up a set of wheels, CK or DA hubs, Zipp303 rims and some bladed spokes. That would be a super light and strong setup that will last a long time.

You already have the Elites for training, so you will want a good all purpose road race wheelset.

Yes perhaps CK are better, i did'nt say they were'nt. I said they were so much better that they warrant the price premium when compared to mavic hubs.

Fully agree with your version of strong wheels though. Ksyrium SSC SL's are perhaps stronger still and look oh so fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnne!