mavic ksyrium elite wheels- Are they good?

[jimmyw]

Yeah so I've been having a little bit of an issue with my stock back wheel on my tri bike with flexing when braking and coming out of true so I decided to look for a new set of training wheels. My stock wheels are alex 220 so you aren't talking top of the line here but after looking a little, I found a new mavic ksyrium elite rear wheel online for $230 shipped since I get a discount with my tri team.

Anyone have any experience with them. I know they aren't top of the line but correct me if I'm wrong, I think they are a good step up from alex 220 wheels. Also I'm not sure if this classifies me as a big cyclist, but I'm 6'1'' 180lbs. So I hope they can stand up to that weight.

Also, I'm thinking of only getting the rear for now since the alex front wheel on my bike has no problem. Is this a bad idea for handling. The mavic wheelset weighs 1550 grams and the alex weighs 1906 grams; so the front wheel will be about the same weight as the back. I of course can get the front mavic for about another $200 shipped.

So what do y'all think; is this a good deal for a good wheelset or is it crap?

[HokuLoa]

Good wheel, good price. Not saying it is the best deal/option but that is so subjective.

[skeem]

they are a step up for sure, but they are probably not worth it. you could replace the alex wheel for maybe $120. I would recommend you get the aksium instead. The new ones are nice, come with tires, and the rear is maybe $175 (it is at my shop). The ksyrium elite isnt an amazing step up from the aksium or alex and I would probably used the money saved for nice tires- they will probably make a bigger improvement than saving 150 grams on a wheel. Weight is important but the performance/ lessened rolling resistance of good tires may pay off more.

[datlas]

They are ok. I have a front one I got on sale and I like it ok.

I would say if you pay full retail you can do better.

Based on what you wrote I would say go for it.

[nastystang]

I just got the 2009 Elites on clearance through Performance and I really like them. They fit the bill for me. Unlike my other wheels the elites just want to roll. They are stiff and strong. no complaints from me.

[rangerdavid]

I have a set of the 2010 elites. Bulletproof wheels. Mine have taken a beating and not given me any issues whatsoever.

[clydeosaur]

I think you should do ok. They are decent wheels but far from bombproof. You should be alright @ 180lbs. Just know that everything is proprietary, so if you do bust a spoke, you will be waiting.

[echotraveler]

the good: they are pretty nice wheels IMO, for the price they are light and stiff enough, they stay true (hence the bullet proof comments) also look good.

the bad: all parts on this wheels are proprietary mavic, not widely available. The spokes and nipples weld themselves making them useless if you ever need truing. if you crash youll probably have to replace with a new wheel...

i crashed on mine, the rear wheel is fine, the front is a tiny bit out of true. since the spokes welded themselves the mechanic couldn't true the rim. replacing all the spokes and nipples on a bent rim is worthless...so a new 317.00 wheel is needed..

id say this would be great if they had a crash replacement deal...a forumite pointed out the MP3 program, you pay extra for this 2 year crash replacement service

i would pay the 200 for a replacement...

[eippo1]

they are a step up for sure, but they are probably not worth it. you could replace the alex wheel for maybe $120. I would recommend you get the aksium instead. The new ones are nice, come with tires, and the rear is maybe $175 (it is at my shop). The ksyrium elite isnt an amazing step up from the aksium or alex and I would probably used the money saved for nice tires- they will probably make a bigger improvement than saving 150 grams on a wheel. Weight is important but the performance/ lessened rolling resistance of good tires may pay off more.

Hate to tell you, but they are a huge step up in ride quality, stiffness and weight. If he's looking for stiffness, then he should go for the Elites. I have both and find the Elites to be way stiffer.

[ColinL]

I'm 6'0" 172 pounds currently, but have been the OP's weight. Despite the spoke count, this wheel can be ridden by people waaaay over 180.

Stiff wheel and very strong. Catches some crosswind here and there, but it's very windy in Kansas. I would be 100% satisfied if I lived somewhere less windy.

[DanBell]

I'm 190lbs and I've been riding Ksyrium Elites for a year with no problems at all. Your weight will not be an issue. I have pretty nice roads here though.

[Dunbar]

They are good wheels but I'd go for some of these BWW wheels. They are basically machine built versions of the Kinlin builds so many custom wheel builders offer but at a lower price. The only catch is some complain of uneven spoke tension out of the box due to the machine build so you may have to true them in the first few hundred miles.

Cheaper at $350, slightly lighter at 1525g, 24F/28R spokes, 27mm rims and easier to service with their DT Swiss spokes (vs. proprietary Mavic spokes). If you pop a spoke you can probably limp them home which is not possible on the Kysrium's:
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com.../prod_149.html

[Sexywheelman14]

They are good wheels but I'd go for some of these BWW wheels. They are basically machine built versions of the Kinlin builds so many custom wheel builders offer but at a lower price. The only catch is some complain of uneven spoke tension out of the box due to the machine build so you may have to true them in the first few hundred miles.

Cheaper at $350, slightly lighter at 1525g, 24F/28R spokes, 27mm rims and easier to service with their DT Swiss spokes (vs. proprietary Mavic spokes). If you pop a spoke you can probably limp them home which is not possible on the Kysrium's:
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com.../prod_149.html

Dunbar,

We see these types of claims on forums a lot about our wheels, that we use Kinlin rims and that we machine build. It's almost funny, except for the fact that they're wrong. We do not machine build, and we do not use Kinlin rims. Pat and I do all our wheel building, and we stand behind our work.

Recently an almost identical claim was made over at RBR.

__________________________________________________________________

RBR link

Claim:
"Originally Posted by morgan1819

Agreed. I think it's a little sketchy at $800 msrp, considering they are using Kinlin 270's ($30 a rim), and a hubset which runs about $100 a pair, full retail."

My response at RBR - Post #9:

"...About the Kinlin rims calim, I find it humorous how often this manufacturer's name is associated with our rims. This claim is 100% false/inaccurate, please don't pass off personal guesses as fact. We do not use Kinlin rims, ever. This is a point that I've highlighted consistently here at RBR over the years. If you didn't know, you didn't know. No big deal...."

__________________________________________________________________

Once or twice I offered some background why we avoid Kinlin rims, but there's that saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say....", which is essentially the same as saying something mean, I guess. If anyone were to ever offer a meaningful critique to Kinlin as to how to improve their rim products, that's fine, but I have no vested interest in doing so.

Thanks for keeping us in mind, I don't mean to be offensive about this, I just wanted to take a minute to offer an update.

-Chris Foster

[MikeyBoyAz]

I am weighing in at 250+ I ride Elites. They are a nice ride. (2011 model) No complaints.

[jesspal]

How would fulcrum 3's compare to Ksyrium elites?