xfimpg

I'm about to pull the financial trigger on a set of black Mavic Ksyrium Elite's, but I have to say that those yellow stickers are really off-putting - my ride is a Spec Roubaix SL3 in white/charcoal/red.

Can anyone recommend a comparable wheelset? It can be another brand.

Edit: I'm looking to keep more/less the same spoke count. I weigh 190lbs and will be using it for century rides, so something reliable.

Smiziley

Pro-Tip: Remove stickers.

Bah Humbug

Better option would be Boyd Vitesse or Zen Cyclery Katmandu.

DataJunkie

Pay someone to build up a set of dt swiss 465 rims and ultegra hubs.

xfimpg

Yeah I though about that... they even stickers in the hubs and on the spokes.

xfimpg

I like your suggestions. How easy would it be to find replacement spokes for these as they are mail order? Do you add spare spokes to your order?

bruin11

Those builds would use readily available spokes that any LBS should have or be able to get with out any issue.

Bah Humbug

Easier than the Mavics, in fact, since these use standard spokes and Mavic uses proprietary ones.

Menel

2012 Elites are on my Helix in my sig.

They are really tough metallic stickers, they peel off really easy without any tearing due to their strength, no residue.

I left the little hub ones, they are not annoying, but they should remove easily as well.

Menel

There are no stickers on the spokes.

Tartar

If you want another option similar to Mavic , check out the Fulcrum Racing line by Campagnolo.

Edit: BTW, I have been using Mavic Elites for several years and thousands of miles and am about your weight. They seem to hold up really well for all purposes, but the aerodynamics are a bit off if you are looking for the sleekest thing out there. Other complaints that I see a lot of are the noisy freehub body and also the relative cost. I found mine on sale a for $500 when I purchased them and haven't looked back, they are pretty good overall despite their shortcomings.

Clipped_in

If you're worried about that don't go Mavic. Honest to goodness they probably have proprietary nipples...

xfimpg

THe 465s come in 32 / 32, which is what I have right now and I have to say that I find them dangerous in the crosswinds.

xfimpg

Thanks guys for bringing up the proprietary mavic tools and spokes, that is a dealbreaker for me.

xfimpg

I should be more specific as to why I want to replace my current set... they are Fuzion F1's (from Williams Racing), 24 / 32 and I can feel them flexing when going down a hill at 30mph, just enough flex to make me question it. I know it isnt the Spec Roubaix SL3 flexing, that frame is as stiff as a board.
I've had them trued about 3 times over 2000 miles. I thought the high spoke count would help but it doesnt seem like it.

Edit: I should also mention that I'm riding Continental GP4000S at 95 psi front and 115 psi rear.

DataJunkie

Then you will love bladed spokes in a crosswind.
I have not noticed any issues and it is very windy around here.

xfimpg

Maybe going downhill in a crosswind and the rear wheel flexing made it worse than it is.

speedemon

I have 2 sets of Ksyrium Elites and 1 set of Ksyrium SL on my 3 bikes and been worried free.

tvJefe

Love my SLS. They look pretty slick too.

unionmade

Send Rob an inquiry at www.psimet.com (or another custom wheel builder of your choice. I recommend Rob because he did a great job for me and many other forum users). Tell him what you want and he'll work with you to build wheels that are made to specifically meet yore needs. That's the beauty of going custom. And yes, the spokes are all readily available.

FWIW, I got White Industry hubs (made in America) laced to Kinlin 300 rims with CX-Ray spokes. I love the wheels, and the hubs are beauties. Higher spoke count than machine made Mavics, but around the same price point and weight.

yallgotfakepoo

Get a pair of Shimano RS80 C24. I think they're the best factory-built wheel in the price range. Check em out if you haven't already.

xfimpg

Thanks guys. So far I have for options:

- Shimano RS80 C24
- PSIMet, model tbd
- Fulcrum Racing, model tbd
- Boyd Vitesse
- Zen Cyclery Katmandu

I'm not going to retain Mavic's because of the proprietary mavic tools and spokes required. I don't particularly like that kind of dependency on a product, especially something as simple as a wheelset.

If anyone can think of another model/brand, please post.

knowledgdropper

Local, hand-built wheels. Kinlin XR300, Ultegra or White Industries hubs, depending on what # of drillings you want. Should be right around $600, durable and plenty stiff.

At 190 lbs., bladed spokes shouldn't be causing you to be blown off your line.

xfimpg

And they aren't even bladed.... has got to be the flexing of the wheel.

Definitely leaning on hand-built... thanks for the info.

JamisJeff

Exactly right...I had a spoke pop out on me during a ride when I had a set of Elites, had to take it to the LBS so they could order it...took FOREVER to get the issue settled, Mavic finally just replaced the whole wheel cause
it was easier than trying to get a spoke....great wheels though!