Tell Me What You Think
 

I ordered a bike that was advertised to come with Mavic Aksium wheels and Conti Gatorskin tires. To my surprise when it arrived, it had Shimano RS11 wheels and Conti Ultra Sport tires.

Did I get a bike with lower quality, lower durability or lower cost or value wheelset and tires?

Last line I'm pretty sure every major mfg. uses.
"Specifications subject to change without notice"

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ro...=240091-129103

I apologize for being dense right now, but I have a crushing migraine. Which one of my questions did your response answer?

Um - contact them directly. There's a huge amount of difference between the advertised components and the ones they sent.

I think I'd be a little pissed. Gatorskins cost about twice that of Ultra Sports. I believe Aksiums are more expensive than RS11 also.

I'd like to get the opinion of a few more people before I fill in some of the blanks.

Indeed, I bought Ultra Sports because they were practically the cheapest. They are not puncture resistant, as I've been reminded a few times while out on the road.

Paul: Did you buy from a bike shop? Did seller have an explanation or offer something to make you more pleased with the purchase?

I'd like to have a few more people answer the questions before I give any more information. I may eventually point the manufacturer to this thread. After I get a few more answers to the questions, I'll show everyone the email I sent to the manufacturer and let you look at their response.

Well, you know what I think? I think you should tells us if you purchased at a LBS or online Direct.

Given the "fun" of sourcing replacement parts from Mavic...I'd consider getting Shimano wheels instead a perk.

return the bicycle & go elsewhere.

I'd rather have the shimano wheels and tires are consumables anyway, so who cares.

I personally wouldn't care.

If the guy at the bike shop told me that I would get one thing, and he knew it was a selling point, then id say something. If Id ordered something online and didnt talk to an actual person about it then Id blame myself for the mishap.

In this case, Id be fine with the switcheroo. The wheels are comparable enough and Id prefer the shimano. I wouldnt want either set of tires but id keep either for destroying on the trainer.

I would rather have the RS11's because of the hubs. Conti Ultra Sports came on my DB Podium and I actually love them. They roll really smooth for a budget tire because they have no flat protection. But that's okay with me because I haven't had a puncture in over four years (I ride clean country roads). I have 1500 miles on them and I'll probably get 3000. I already bought another pair on ebay for cheap. I had Gatorskins once and hated them. I guess they have good flat protection if that's what you need but they ride like crap.

Meh they seem close to each other. But definitely say something, you might just get the Aksiums/ultra sports shipped to you and be allowed to keep the rs11s. Either way throw away both gatorskins and ultra sports, and get a set of 4 seasons :p

I have a set of RS-11 wheels and have been pleasantly surprised at how well they ride. Be scrupulously careful about hub adjustment, though. As for tires. Meh. They're consumable, as was said above. I've never used Ultra Sport tires for very long. Once you start flatting, they're done.

Thank you for the feedback. I happen to be a big fan of both Aksiums and Gatorskins for where I do most of my riding. I put several thousand miles on a set on the horrible streets of New Orleans and they were still perfectly true when I sold them a week or so ago. The area I ride is a minefield of broken glass and debris. I do not ride without good flat protection, so the tires will have to be replaced.

Here's the email I sent and the manufacturers response.


Jack, I got the bike this evening. I was only able to take it for a quick spin. I think I am going to be really happy with it. I do have a question. When did the wheel spec change from Mavik Aksium and Gatorskins to Shimano RS 11 and Conti Ultra Sports? When I ordered the website still showed Aksium/Gatorskin as the spec.

Paul

Paul,



Thank you for letting me know you got your new bike. We just updated the website, when we had another custom ask about the specs on the bike that were not correct on the new website.

Thanks again for your order and understanding.