Southern California - Just purchased the mavic ksyrium equipe's post my reaction

Upgrade from some very cheap wheels that came with my stock bike

what will my reaction be when I take them out on my 1st ride? .gif

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A year from now, when you're kickin-it in the Caribbean, you're gonna say to yourself, "Calamarichris was right."

Because you wish to be right, and not appear foolish for wasting money, you will convince yourself that they are much faster, better looking, and more comfortable than the OEM cheapies.

I say this with authority, because I too have avoided ambivalence similarly in such situations. You work for your money... Ride & enjoy!

I'm just saying... hold on tight to the handlebars cuz wouldn't that be embarrassing if your bike took off so fast you got thrown.

Now seriously: I don't think you will feel it that much. I dropped over a pound of wheel weight by switching to Soul 2.0s and the only real difference I felt was fast spin up, and that the wheels were smoother.

Now seriously: I don't think you will feel it that much. I dropped over a pound of wheel weight by switching to Soul 2.0s and the only real difference I felt was fast spin up, and that the wheels were smoother.

Certainly less noticeable when you're riding on sustained flat rides, but I have to disagree when it comes to climbs. My C50 aero wheels are noticeably more sluggish when climbing than my C24's. And they're almost exactly a pound heavier.

Certainly less noticeable when you're riding on sustained flat rides, but I have to disagree when it comes to climbs. My C50 aero wheels are noticeably more sluggish when climbing than my C24's. And they're almost exactly a pound heavier.

Most of my rides have lots of climbing, but I have not felt any difference.

A friend of mine who knows a little about bikes told me about an experiment he'd read of some time ago: lead weights were added to the seat tube of a road bike to see how sensitive riders were to changes in the weight of a bike. Apparently professional riders could detect very small weight changes, on the order of a few ounces. However non-professional riders only noticed significant weight increases, on the order of a pound or more.

I switched from 2010 Mavic Aksiums to 2005 Ksyrium Equipes, and I didn't notice any difference. I bought the Equipes mainly because I needed a second set of wheels and I got a pretty good deal on them via eBay.

The placebo affect of new wheels is awesome though. The first time I took my took my Spinergy Xaero Lites out I took a known route that I do very often and I beat my best average speed by 0.5mph. Seriously though - the differences are subtle but worth it. The lower weight certainly helps on a long day of climbing. The biggest thing that I noticed though is that the bike seems to respond better when I'm really mashing it - like standing on it when the traffic light goes from red to green. I think this is because there is a lot less flex in the wheel.

I recently switched out from Alex DA28's to American Classic CR 420's. Took them up GMR first ride out and got my PR despite not riding the previous 3 weeks before that, and definitely noticed increased ability to coast downhill, to draft behind someone on a downhill, and better initial spin up. Total wheel weight loss was 1.5 pounds.

Oh man, my Felt F55 originally came with CR420's. Those wheels were as light as a fart, but sadly don't last as long as one. The aluminum brake surfaces wore out pretty fast, but then the brightest-burning stars seldom burn long.

There is another way to look at the OP's upgraded wheels. Sure, everybody is posting about the technical stuff like spinning up, climbing, lousy brake surfaces or no difference felt at all. However, there is the 'style' aspect of the upgrade. Those Ksyrium Equipes add some styling points which count for something. Don't we all feel better if we step out in style? When you go out on the town at night, what shoes do you wear?

When you go out on the town at night, what shoes do you wear?

Genius 5 Pro Carbon

However, there is the 'style' aspect of the upgrade. Those Ksyrium Equipes add some styling points which count for something. Don't we all feel better if we step out in style? When you go out on the town at night, what shoes do you wear?
Gotta agree here! Looking fast is always better than going fast! And by the way, shoes aint allowed to the shin-diggs I go to.

When you go out on the town at night, what shoes do you wear?

Either the Dromartis or the Sidi 50th Anniversary Liberace replicas...
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/100228-dromartis.jpg
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