ilmooz

My question regards choosing between the EA90 SL or EA90 SLX as an upgrade for my current Shimano 550 wheels. Perhaps someone experienced with these wheels or more knowledgable can help guide me.

My Shimano wheels have held up to my 205 lb. weight for over 4,000 miles without popping a spoke or needing to be trued once. The spoke count is 20 front, 24 rear. While durable, they do seem to exhibit some flex from time to time when pedaling hard out of the saddle.

I would prefer the SLX wheels, but with a lower spoke count of 18 front, 24 rear, should I expect similar flex from what should be a better set of SLX wheels?

I've read recommendations for the SL wheels for bigger riders since they have extra spokes. Easton even indicates this on their own website, yet they also claim there's no weight limit for either the SL or SLX wheels.

Am I nitpicking too much about the SLXs handling my 205 lb. weight or should I play it safer with the SLs?

Thanks in advance.

zatopek

I'm 165 lbs. I ride a set of EA90 SLX and they flex noticeably on steep climbs. Nice wheel overall but it is a bit flexy for me.

BarracksSi

EA90SL's here -- they seem to ride smoother than the Fulcrum 5's I was using before, but no less stiff. They're just as nice under my 203 lbs as they were under my 234 lbs. I'm keeping them if I change bikes.

grafsk8er

i'm about 132 lbs and i ride the slx as well. great wheel for me, but idk how much flex there will be with somebody 70 lbs heavier

sstorkel

Easton doesn't have weight limits on any of their aluminum wheels, but that doesn't mean they're appropriate for everyone. I asked Easton about the SL vs SLX difference before purchasing. They indicated that the SLX would flex more under my weight (around 190lbs at the time) and might need to be trued more often.

I went with the SL and couldn't be happier. Unless you're racing competitively, you probably won't notice the weight difference between the SL and SLX. You may, however, notice the flex and/or maintenance difference...

a_phat_beat

when i got my slx's i weight about 175lb, no noticeable flex at all for me. but i tend to ride on mostly flat roads. the ride was excellent, and they stayed true for many many many miles before i had to mess with them at all. great wheels. don't know much about sl's except they're a bit heavier.

merlin55

I'm 175 and bought the SL90...the added spokes add very little weight, and I wanted a durable wheel. At 200+ pounds the SLXs should be reserved for race day rides only....buy the SLs

Butcher

180lbs and use the SLX's. They work for me without any issues what so ever.

BarracksSi

What I think is funny is that, over three wheelsets that I've had -- Shimano R550's, Fulcrum 5's, and now EA90SL's -- each set had more spokes than the previous, but each set got lighter, too.

There's a lot to do with shaving weight, of course, but it showed me that low spoke count doesn't automatically mean lighter weight.

Sardian

I'm 160 lbs and ride the SLX's, I don't notice any flex and I love the wheels. I use them for all of my riding. If I were closer to 200 lbs I'd pick the SL's. Very nice wheels either way.

ilmooz

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I mistakenly went with published data regarding the spoke count of my R550s as being 20 front, 24 rear - they're actually older wheels with a 16 front, 20 rear spoke count.

That being said, I'm less concerned now regarding the SLX wheels.

saba

Easton EC70SL as my training wheel. Another one you might want to consider. Aero enough tough enough, aluminum braking surface put it into your differential