Originally Posted by
southern rider
I didn't know that is there any proof of that? I like my Ksyriums but perhaps they are more suitable for group rides/drafting?
These wheels are so strong I hit a crater went head first over the handle bars @24mph. Helmet was cracked but the wheels stayed true!
Same thing happened to me...On my first "real" ride with them (2011 Mavic Ksyrium Elites),
after a couple of miles while riding a bike path that was under construction, at the last minute,
I had to turn off of the path, went into a grass ditch front wheel first and flipped over the bike.
Luckily, I landed on my wrists in front of me (a little martial arts reflexes kicking in) with the bike landing on my back.
The saddle hit me in the rear back (possibly bruising my kidney) and I was literally holding the bike up with my body.
Now, the front wheel itself went "into" a 2 foot hole that was hidden by grass with all MY weight on it.
It was knocked out of alignment by about 2" and my shifters were both turned inward. That's how hard I hit.
I got up with a combination of curses, looked over everything and straightened everything out as best possible.
My mechanic (who prepared race bikes for his brother) purposefully left my shifters just snug-tight in case of such an incident.
If he didn't, I'm pretty sure I would've been "out" a pair of Dura-Ace 7800 shifters right now and crying about it.
Anyway, out of anger, I rode another 5 miles and plowed through my pain and managed a wicked small, but steep climb.
I was dead when I got home. Didn't even look at the bike for a few days due to excessive rain.
Eventually, I decided to detail my bike and take a good look at my wheel. Despite that horrible crash
(which I was sure I'd have to have the front wheel serviced over), I kid you not, it was as true as new.
Unbelievable. It held up. I didn't even want to look at it right after the crash, but dangit, it was perfect.
I am a believer in Mavic Ksyrium Elites. I struggled with spending $600. on a set of wheels when I could've gotten
a set of lighter wheels for about 3/4's of the price, but I have to tell you, Mavics are worth every penny (for me).
Was it just a light crash? No. I was hospitalized for 5 hours the day after and had to take pain medication.
Again, I went up over my front wheel, it turned 90 degrees with ALL my weight on it and stayed true.