Road Cycling - Who Here Runs With Mavic Ksyriums?

And which model (elite's, etc.). What is your opinion on them?

I run sl have 9k miles on them no problem with trueing or anything else i like em.

Elites. Came with the bike. Don't have too many miles on them yet (800), but like them so far.

Elites-over 2k on the front and 500 on the rear (had 1.5k on the rear until the truck did it in, only bent the rim, but long story short, the bike store broke my hub, so new wheel for me), only had to true the front after the frist 200 miles or so and rear after 1.5k, other then that I have forgotten about them
Equipe(I think that is spelled right)-for ~250 (rear only) nice, little heavier but that was all that I was able to tell on them.
SL-want a set, just can not afford it =-(

I have the elites.. not the lightest (though not heavy) or the most aerodynamic wheels, but a very solid training wheel. I have ~ 1500 miles on mine, and they have stayed in perfect shape (even after hitting a couple potholes hard!). I would recommend the Elites for a training wheel, but probably would go with a more aerodynamic wheel than the SLs for a racing wheel (just my 2 cents.. ;) )

i found the elites to be a bit skittish in cross-winds, probably due to the bladed spokes. they seem solid enough. i ride steel, so any harshness is dampened to an extent. the reliability is great. the elites tend to eat tubes around the stem because of the roughness and the lack of rim tape. and you need to buy the tubes with the long 1'' stems.
solid & reliable.

i found the elites to be a bit skittish in cross-winds, probably due to the bladed spokes. they seem solid enough. i ride steel, so any harshness is dampened to an extent. the reliability is great. the elites tend to eat tubes around the stem because of the roughness and the lack of rim tape. and you need to buy the tubes with the long 1'' stems.
solid & reliable.

Hmmm. Am I going to notice this stuff (wind resistance, aerodynamics) figuring that I am just getting into road biking? I frequently ride a 60lb DH bike around and anything is lighter than that...

Dude, don't worry about the crosswind BS, unless you have like 40mph winds where you live. It's way overhyped.

Dude, don't worry about the crosswind BS, unless you have like 40mph winds where you live. It's way overhyped.

Thanks... That's what I figured.

Elites w ~1000m. No problems.

Crosswinds, yea I feel them, but not much more than I feel the wind without bladed spokes. It could get annoying on a long ride with 15+mph winds, but you get in a rythm and go. Don't worry about it.

I'll have my Elites on Tuesday...

I have the SSC SL's, and after 8,000km/5,000miles, they are still true and rolling as smooth as the day I got them. 2 very small quibbles. Crosswinds are a problem for me, but being light'ish (70kg/154lbs) and riding a light bike (7.5kg/16.5lbs), it's always going to be an issue. The other problem is that the rims will fill up with water when riding in extremely wet conditions. Still, I am very happy with these wheels.

CHEERS.

Mark

Not on mavics but....worth consideration

I have Bontragers Race lite (ksyriums elite equivalent) and are really good, but not the lightest. I have on them 3500m and so far no problems - I didn't even have to true them - and believe me here in Poland you ride between potholes. I can't tell anything on servicability.

I have 2001 Ksyrium SSCs. The year I got mine, they only came in one variety. Performance, weight and trimwise, they fall somewhere between the Elites and the SLs. I have over 12,000 miles on mine and have never had to have them trued save for when my mechanic first got them and installed them for me. They're still spinning smoothely and there's no wobble that I can detect. I regularly ride on nasty gravel segments of roads and have taken potholes at speed. These things are as bulletproof as a lightweight road racing wheelset can get. I do worry about breaking a spoke while on longer rides though since it would be unlikely that many shops would stock spares. As for the crosswinds, I do feel them but it's not enough to really bother me.

I had the Elites and they rocked, a great wheel for the money. I upgraded to the SL's because I got a smokin' deal on them. The SL's are really fast.

Like Khuon, I have the SSC's one set from 2002 and the second from 2003, they are the best wheels I've ever ridden on. Man do they go fast! and never go out of true, and while I do my best to avoid potholes and other bad roads, here in michigan we just don't have the best roads, if you know what I mean, so my set's have gone over their fair share of bumps and what not, but never go out of true or rotation around or any of that stuff. I'm soo glad I bought them!!


Benjamin

I had the Elites and they rocked, a great wheel for the money. I upgraded to the SL's because I got a smokin' deal on them. The SL's are really fast.

Do you really notice if a wheel is faster by the differences of an Elite and an SL? How much of a difference?

Actually I rode a bike with the Shimano 540's. Aside bike setup, how much of a difference will I notice between those and the Mavic Ksyrium Elite's I am getting next week.

What I am trying to say is, besides weight (measured in grams), what is the most noticeable difference between a crappy wheel (shimano 540) and a good wheel (Mavic Ksyrium Elite, SSL, Cosmo).

I have the Krysuims and one time a strong gust hurled me over a concrete median and onto the ocean.....



JK.....they are good wheels.

What I am trying to say is, besides weight (measured in grams), what is the most noticeable difference between a crappy wheel (shimano 540) and a good wheel (Mavic Ksyrium Elite, SSL, Cosmo).

Here is what I found when looking at wheels:

There are four factors to look at when shopping for wheels- robustness, hub, aerodynamics, weight. The shimano 540's are a somewhat light wheel, have no robustness whatsoever, come with a cheaper hub, and have little aerodynamics. The Ksyrium Elites, are lightish (but not light), come with GREAT hubs (Dura Ace equivilant), have so-so aerodynamics, and are EXTREMELY robust. They are what I would call a very good training wheel- you can use them day in and day out, and they will stay nice and true, but at the same time, they arent so heavy that they bog you down.

The other wheelset I have is a Shimano 7701 (which I just purchased). These wheels come with DA level hubs, are a little heavier than the Elites, a bit less robust, however they are much more aerodynamic. I use these wheels in the flats, when I am going on roads I know to be nice and pothole-free ;). Which do I like better? Well, in the flats, I like the 7701s, as my average speed increased about 3/4 mph from them (aerodynamics play a KEY role over about 18mph), but I definitely like the Ksyriums in the hills more, as they are lighter, thus less to haul up the hill.. I also like not having to worry about every little bump in the road.. Finally, when really cranking/sprinting hard, the Ksyriums have more lateral stiffness than the 7701s, which I like..

Finally you move up to something like the Zipp deep dish wheelsets.. They come with top of the line hubs, are light as a feather, more aerodynamic than the 7701s, and pretty robust. I have ridden on a set once, and they just like to fly!! The drawback?? I am not read to spend $2000 on a wheelset! :)

So, the answer to your question is- it depends on what type of riding you will be doing. I have found myself liking the 7701s more and more, as I find out how strong they really are.. but if I had to have only one set, it would be the Elites.

However, and this is just my opinion, so flame away, I would take the Elites over the SLs, and save up for a set of aero wheels. If I am not mistaken the big difference between the SLs and the Elites is some weight, which you dont feel nearly as much as aerodynamics. That is, unless, money is no object. :)

I noticed the difference in the SL's the first time I rode them. I wish I could explain why the SL's are faster but I'm not an engineer so I really can't tell you why they're faster just that they are. As I said, the Elites are also really good all around wheels. I really like all the Mavic stuff. I got the brakes and they're pretty sweet too. As far as what, other than weight, makes for a better wheel I'd guess that the quality of the hubs is pretty important. The mateiral the wheel is composed of will affect what the wheel can realy do or what it's best suited for. Also aerodynamics as mentioned above.I hope this helps.

the hubs are great. the rotational weight of the elites is less than other wheelsets. take a close look at how the spokes are drawn and it will explain some of it. no rim tape helps in this regard as well. got my set for $429 (2004) and have not nor will i ever regret the purchase.

pick up your front wheel and spin the elites. pick up another bike and do the same thing. the elites are so smooth and will spin effortlessly for a longer time.

people switch out the skewers frequently (the mavic ones are heavy and disappointing to some) but this is splitting hairs here.

BTW: in 15 mph crosswinds, you do notice a difference, but how often will you encounter this?!

you will never regret this purchase. its as close to a slam dumk as there is in cycling.

BTW: in 15 mph crosswinds, you do notice a difference, but how often will you encounter this?!



I did today :( Got caught in a heavy thunderstorm on the 25 out, and had all 25 back either straight into the wind or cutting across at an angle. Nasty stuff, but fun at the same time! And worth every minute of it as I wasn't at work for a change :D

i don't know how any of you run with ksyriums. i have a hard enough time running empty fisted.

i don't know how any of you run with ksyriums. i have a hard enough time running empty fisted.

Well, I usually run with a Peanut Butter schmear under each armpit (usually Skippy but I prefer Jif when it's on sale) and wanted to try it with these wheels.

Sorry for asking :mad:

FWIW, if you are looking at ksryiums, which I am sure are great wheels, also check out Velomax. The Circuits, which I have been riding for a while, are smooth, fast, durable, and are ridiculous deal for the money. And even though they are their entry level set, they are still lighter (695g f, 955g r) then about anything out there for the money and are handbuilt in California. Check 'em out!

FWIW, if you are looking at ksryiums, which I am sure are great wheels, also check out Velomax. The Circuits, which I have been riding for a while, are smooth, fast, durable, and are ridiculous deal for the money. And even though they are their entry level set, they are still lighter (695g f, 955g r) then about anything out there for the money and are handbuilt in California. Check 'em out!

The Ksyriums actually came with the bike I got. I'll know how they are next week.

The velomax came on the cervelo soloist I almost bought. I thought those were "so-so" wheels?

And which model (elite's, etc.). What is your opinion on them?

My SLs have been perfect. I love them.

I also just ordered a 650c set for my 'bent. I'll have a better idea how good they are in a few days.

2700 mile on mine and havent done anything but wash them,bullet proff.

i found the elites to be a bit skittish in cross-winds, probably due to the bladed spokes. they seem solid enough. i ride steel, so any harshness is dampened to an extent. the reliability is great. the elites tend to eat tubes around the stem because of the roughness and the lack of rim tape. and you need to buy the tubes with the long 1'' stems.
solid & reliable.

Strange,i have the same tubes on mine forever with the regular stem.

All good responses. Excellent. Hopefully, I'll get my bike in the mail (UPS) sometime this year.

damn great wheelset the best i've ever run, i have 50 mile on them :)

BTW: in 15 mph crosswinds, you do notice a difference, but how often will you encounter this?!

EVERY DAY!:D


ADELAIDE METROPOLITAN WATERS
Monday 24th : Northwest winds 13/18 knots, easing to 10/15 knots during the
evening.

Tuesday 25th : Northwest winds 10/15 knots, shifting southwest 10/15 knots early
in the morning.

CHEERS.

Mark