Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Long Distance Riding w/ Mavic Aksium Race Wheelset

I frequently go out and ride 60-80 miles on nice days and I was wondering if i made a horrible mistake with this wheel set. I imagine what is good for Cyclocross probably isn't good for long distance road riding.

What does one look for in terms of comfort and performance in a long distance wheel? Any recommendations under $400? and your thoughts on the Aksium Race w/ GP 4000 S tires.

I prefer 700c X 23 Wheels.
My current bike is a 2001 Lemond Buenos Aires - Reynolds 853 steel tubing and a Kinesis Carbon Fork

Thanks for your advice.

I use these:
http://www.everybicycletire.com/Shopping/pc-1838-53-700c-velocity-glider-wheelset-622.aspx

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that wheelset and tire combo. Aksiums are a good, solid all-around wheelset - they're spec'd as original equipment on some nice bikes. (They're not cyclocross-specific wheels.)

You'll be fine with 'em.

The only problem I can see is being worse case scenario of breaking a spoke. I don't own a pair but I believe they are straight pull spokes. Some riders might carry a spare spoke with them so they could possibly fix a wheel problem. Not all LBS will even have straight pull spokes so they might be a little tougher to find if needed quick?

I have a pair of Aksium Race's on my 'cross bike that originally came on my road bike. They're nice, solid wheels. I rode them on my TCR for a little while just to see how they were, and they're great wheels, although not the lightest out there.

Probably OK for unloaded "sport touring" but a broken spoke is going to be a hassle unless you deal a shop who has "bought-in" heavy with Mavic and has spares. Mavic does not sell single spokes. They require purchase of sets. I could build something nicer, more easily repaired and likely a bit lighter than Aksiums for about the same $$.

The above linked Velocity wheels are certainly attractively priced, but in my experience, those rims are weak sauce. Certainly, some one will chime in to tell me of the bazillion miles they have on a set, and I don't doubt isolated anecdotes abound. Like I said, "in my experience".

Probably OK for unloaded "sport touring" but a broken spoke is going to be a hassle unless you deal a shop who has "bought-in" heavy with Mavic and has spares. Mavic does not sell single spokes. They require purchase of sets. I could build something nicer, more easily repaired and likely a bit lighter than Aksiums for about the same $$.

The above linked Velocity wheels are certainly attractively priced, but in my experience, those rims are weak sauce. Certainly, some one will chime in to tell me of the bazillion miles they have on a set, and I don't doubt isolated anecdotes abound. Like I said, "in my experience".

Good advise here. BikeWise actually built me my first set of high end wheels a few years back and I must say, he knows his stuff.

Anyways LOTS of good combos out there for not alot of money. Shimano hubs are great and not terribly expensive. I have a 36h open pro rim with a couple hard seasons of road, cross, commuting, light touring on it and they are still running great. Next wheelset will probably have a DT RR 585 or the Velocity Fusion as I have seen a number of people have great success with them and I personally hate dealing with/supporting a company like mavic despite the fact they make a great rim. Either way there is no reason a nice handbuilt wheel can't be as fast as any sub $400 wheel systems and it will certainly be more durable and easier to repair if built properly.

Good luck in your searches, I know you will have to filter through hundreds of opinions but hope this helps :thumb:

I'm not worried about how easy the wheels are to fix. I have extra spokes that i carry on tour and rarely take my bike too far from the city.

My biggest question is that of comfort. I hear a lot of good things about how "comfortable" open pro rims are. What are your thoughts on really comfortable long distance wheels?

Thanks for your input ! :D

Wheels are not intended as suspension devices. The perceived differences in "comfort" between two properly tensioned wheels regardless of rim is a matter of opinion. Many feel what they want to feel. In other words, don't buy wheels based on what others say regarding comfort! 5 psi less in your tires will make more of a difference than anything you can do to the rim....

Thanks BikeWise! Guess its time to replace my malfunctioning gauge pump

BTW: it depends on the vintage of the Aksiums in question, but the 2007 and earlier models used traditional, J-bend spokes on the front wheels. And all of the Aksium wheels use a standard nipple, unlike the Ksyrium series - chances are rural shops will have the spares around (or spares that will work, if not OEM from Mavic).