Road Cycling - Shimano R540 versus Mavic Helium

I am looking for some educated opinions. I am putting together a Giant TCR Zero and I have two sets of wheels: brand new shimano R540s and used mavic helium (almost perfect shape). The mavics are lighter but I have heard the lower spoke count on the R540s cuts through the wind. Thanks.

I have about 2500 miles on my Shimano 540's, and other than having to have each rim trued once, they have been great wheels... I have been told that they are heavier than other wheels out there.. but in comparison to my old Centurion with HEAVY wheels.. the Shimano's fly !

I've heard both good and bad opinions on the 540's... ask TriDevil... I think he had a pair explode on him...

Probably better if you are a lighter rider.. I'm 5'10" and about 158... so they work well for me :-)

hope this helps some

jeff

Yeah, I had some pretty bad experiences with my rear wheel. The front was fine. Not the lightest. When I sent my rear wheel in my friend loaned me a mavic cosmos I think it was. I didn't realize how non-stiff the r540 was. By the way, I am a light guy, 5'8'' 140lbs or so. I could have just gotten a wheel that quality control was asleep when it went by but let's just say I am not missing them. I don't know how much of an aero advantage the low spoke count is. I kept having spokes break and whenever one did the wheel went wildly out of true. It was still ridable to get home. Another thing to keep in mind, see if any of your bike shops are shimano wheel qualified or have some of those shimano spokes. 6 bikes shops within 30 miles of me had none. This isn't to say they are all bad, for example sipperphoto loves his. So maybe it just didn't suit my riding style in addition to me getting a bad wheel. For the record my friend has the heliums and has been riding them for a number of years and the only complaint he has is one of the eyelets at the nipples came off and it occassionally rattles.

Tri,

How you like yer new wheels so far? I may be out yer way in October... might get some riding in (if the wife lets me bring the bike) :-)

Any good places in the Chandler/Tempe area ? or do I need to get out of town farther?

jeff

My new wheels are fantastic. They are nice, stiff, light, and best of all, no one else has them!!!
There are plenty of good routes to do around here. Our local mountain, South Mountain, is finally getting repaved, sometime this fall. Don't know when it will be done though. The Scottsdale area has some really nice riding with hills and such and little traffic. Ahwatuke, where I just was today, is really nice, again very little traffic, hills. Let me know when/if you get out here. We can hook up for a ride. I live about a mile or so from ASU just to give you an idea where I am.

My new wheels are fantastic. They are nice, stiff, light, and best of all, no one else has them!!!
There are plenty of good routes to do around here. Our local mountain, South Mountain, is finally getting repaved, sometime this fall. Don't know when it will be done though. The Scottsdale area has some really nice riding with hills and such and little traffic. Ahwatuke, where I just was today, is really nice, again very little traffic, hills. Let me know when/if you get out here. We can hook up for a ride. I live about a mile or so from ASU just to give you an idea where I am.

Ok.. yeha I know the area a little bit.. my Sista in laws live in Chandler over by the mall I think... I think it is Chandler Blvd... Used to live off of Ray Rd. and the 101

jeff