Road Cycling - Shimano 540 wheelset vs. Mavic Ksyrium Equipe?

I've been riding different bikes for a week now, only need to ride a LeMond to make a decision, and was wondering what you guys felt about these two wheelsets.

The Specialized Roubaix Carbon is high on the list but the Website said they're changing the wheels to the Shimano's...why, I have No idea, but I'm wondering what seems to be the best al around wheelset.

I'm a recreational rider, no racing,but hope to put on some mileage for a LONG time.

Thanks.
PJBAZ

I have a friend who just got the Roubaix. I was shocked that the bike that retails for only $100 less than the Trek 5200 had the Mavic Equipe - I though for that range of bike they should have put the Ksyrium Elite's on it. Such a nice bike with blah wheels.
I am sure they are strong, but they just seem appropriate for the bike.

The Ksyrium Elites are great - I put them on my specialized Allez Elite. Bulletproof and I am 220#.

When I was researching the purchase of the Elites, I was drawn by the low cost of the Shimano wheels, but they got pretty bad reviews on this site as well as roadbikereview.com

Elites are bulletproff. Dont like the shimano but thats just mo so all you guys that have them,dont sh$t your shorts. The shimanos might be better for a lighter rider but you cant go wrong woth the Elites.

You could also ask the dealer how much he wants to upgrade that bike to high end wheels. I would settle on the bike that fits best, and serves your goals best. And then worry about the wheels. You have options.

When i got by Fuji, performance gave me 150 bucks for the Ritcheys that were on it and i put that towards the Elites.

Mavic is much better than Shimano for wheelsets...

Take my word and get anything OTHER than the shimano r540 wheelset. No good.

Take my word and get anything OTHER than the shimano r540 wheelset. No good.

I don't know why anyone over 120lbs would buy those Shimano wheels. During a pro race in Australia about a year ago, a guy was coming down a mountain and locked up the rear wheel (a la Beloki), but instead of just sliding, or even the tyre giving way, the rear wheel busted in half!! Yes, it was one of those Shimanos with (as one of my friends says) half the spokes kicked out.

Ok, that makes it ALOT easier for the wheelset decision. BUT, the Roubaix is supposed to be coming with Shimabno's from now on. I'll have to find an in-stock Roubaix and/or switch them out.

The other thing is: everyone here wwas talking about the elite's...what about the Equipe's????

PJ

Equipe is the same technology as the elites. **note, when comparing weight of the mavic with other wheelsets: for some reason unclear to me, mavic INCLUDES the weight of their skewers in the wheelset weight whereas no other manufacturer includes it**

R540's have gotten bad reviews everywhere. the rotational weight and smoothness of the equipes make it worthwhile to upgrade. i'm not a fan of the skewers BTW, but still not bad.

I bought a Roubaix Comp about a month ago and upgraded the wheels to Mavic Ksyrium ssc sl at the time of purchase for an extra $350. I absolutly love the bike, and I think the upgraded wheels were well worth the money. Besides, the silver Ksyriums look good with the carbon and silver frame.

I definitely will avoid the 540's...but don't know if I have the $$$ to go for the ssc sl upgrade. I'll have to wait and see. Regardless, I need to make a decision about which bike first. Then, if I go for a Roubaix, I will need to decide which frame, the elite or the carbon comp, then see what kind of $ I have for upgrades.

I hate bike stores...too much to look at...too much to consider...too much $ spent.

PJ