Equinox

I got wheels at the beginning of the season based on the recommendation of my LBS. They told me to get the HED Bastognes. They were in my price range and they told me they were light and had smooth bearings. I think they were a nice upgrade. I don't know much about wheels but I have heard of HED and I thought they were a well known company. The majority of my fellow club members have ended up with Mavics mostly from the same shop. I can't really imagine the Mavics being so much better than my HEDs. Personally, I think my HEDs are a nicer looking wheel. They are plain, and sleek and kind of elegant. The Mavics seem to have "wagon wheel" spokes with big honking hubs. I've endorsed the HEDs, but my mates went for th Mavics.

NameGoesHere

had the HED's been sitting in the shop for a while? Any chance the LBS just wanted to move them, so they moved them on you?

biffstephens

I like the HED's over the Mavics as well.....Mavic markets more.....has more around...maybe there margins are better on the Mavic's (I bet they are) what a LBS sells is not always the best....it is the best they can make the most on....

asmallsol

do you feel like a loaner because everyone else isn't riding the same wheels as you?

who cares.

bassplayinbiker

Why should you care? If they work for you, why should it matter what other people ride?


Secondly, why should it matter whether or not the shop is trying to move something? If the wheel serves you well, and is what you want; why should it matter if the shop is trying to get rid of it? If anything, a situation like that is something that you could take advantage of.

Care more about racing.

Equinox

I thought about that. But my friends have told me they looked at the HEDs. I don't have enough skill or experience to know if there is a noticeable difference between the HEDs and the Mavics. I think it is marketing and popularity. I just know I'm happy with my wheels just as my friends are happy with theirs.

michaelmc

HEDs may be big for triathletes, but Mavic is a much bigger name for roadies: I can count two hands worth of people I know off the top of my head that ride Mavics. HEDs? 0. Cachet definitely counts for something (something superficial, but something nonetheless) when buying bike parts. Also, as nice as they may be, there is nothing "special" about the Bastognes, which are essentially low-profile box rims tied to lightweight hubs with few spokes; one could have equally nice and lighter wheels handbuilt for less than the cost of the Bastognes (think DT R1.1 rims, 240s hubs, and Revolution or Aerolite spokes). If I were a heavier rider looking to buy them, I'd also be wary about the Ti spokes up front.

So I mean, yeah, you're right, they're pretty, and I'm sure they're fine wheels, but so are the Mavics. Not necessarily better, but also fine wheels, comparable in price and weight. So if there's nothing that makes the HEDs stand out over the Mavics and if Mavics are more of a default to road cyclists, then it's not surprising that the majority of your teammates ended up with Mavics.

EDITED TO ADD: Also, the Ksyriums have a good reputation for durability. A low-spoke-count set with some Ti spokes? Conventional wisdom would hold those to be less durable.

grahny

If they serve you well, who cares what everyone else is riding? Everyone and their mother rides mavics. There's plenty of good wheels out there to choose from and I don't understand why everyone jumps on mavics either. Sure they make some good wheels, but so do plenty of other manufacturers. The bastogne's weigh in at 1433g as a clincher and are said to be designed to take a beating. Sounds just fine to me.

waterrockets 

Mavic's got a good marketing engine.

I like those Heds better myself. I have never been really fond of any of the Ksyriums. The machined rims look like an afterthought. Why not machine the material before it gets extruded so the machining can be inside the rim?

Equinox

Good points. I understand/

BHBiker

You got sold a non moving HED. Is that necessarily bad? No since you are happy. Was your satisfaction and happiness the main reason the LBS pushed the HED on you? I think not and its more to get rid of the HED Bastognes..

Lastly, is it eating you as everyone probably has a far superior product (wether correct or imagined by you) and you probably got duped by the LBS? Only YOU can answer that.

I personally like the HED Bastognes better,...only time will tell which is more durable though.

Maybe you should buy Mavics and find out for yourself so as to clear the doubt! Better yet why not buy it again with the LBS so that he will know you had doubts aout his recommendations..then again he earns more out of it...CHEERS!

Dubbayoo

I'm 250 lbs and have no problem with reliability of my Ksyriums.

Strong Bad

Been looking at those wheels. If I was in the market for another set, they would be a contender.
Hed Bastogne

sfrider 

I'm 165 lbs and both of my Ksyrium ES 700c clinchers are significantly out of true after only 500 miles. It's the worst I've ever seen. The Ksyrium Equipes that came on my steel Bianchi had a bearing go after about 500 miles as well, and the LBS wouldn't fix it under warranty. (A different LBS replaced the front bearings with nice quality ones for $17. Including tax.) The ES uses some weird-ass nonstandard spoke wrench as well, which I of course didn't get with my set. (WTF is the point of this?) Never again another Mavic product even if I get it for free.

operator

Fail

Equinox

Obviously, this is like any other product. Consumers feel more secure (rightly or wrongly) purchasing the most popular product even thought there may be a similar product that is just as good, or better. It is only natural to feel more secure buying the product that most people have and are happy with. Even if the lbs moved the wheels on me, I still like them and I don't resent that at all. I went in with an open mind and I think I made an informed decision that I do not regret. I'm surprised that No one in my club, when faced with the same decision, went with the HEDs. I think that in general when two products are simiar in price and quality, a few people will buy one brand, and some people will buy the other. In the case of these wheels, the popularity of the Mavics is overwhelming. BTW the HEDs are still available at the LBS. It isn't like they stopped selling them or anything.

For me this isn't about the wheels themselves. I'm just interested in consumers and why they do what they do.

NameGoesHere

In that case, don't try to figure it out; don't look for a reason to dislike a LBS...

BHBiker

+1

operator

Why not? Seems to be the chic thing to do nowadays.

Jerseysbest

I hear they're big in Europe.

Feel better?

ri_us

Wheels are a little like lube - it's a matter of opinion. It's not just about weight, it's also about how supple they are, how they turn, etc. If you're happy with your wheels, stick with them until something better comes along.

I used to live for Mavics until I tried out a pair of Campy Nuetrons. I love them.