carbone sl owners:
 

I am looking at getting these through a team deal, and was wondering what the verdict is. This will be my first season racing, and my coach swears that race wheels are worth the extra money. One of my main concerns is if I fall, (which I am understanding is very likely in cat 5/collegiate c) the wheels will be ruined. I would like to think that they are somewhat durable, but if not, I will likely race on my aksiums to get a season under my belt. Also note that races here in Texas are flaaaat so the weight is not as important as aero.

Thanks

You are talking about the clincher version yes? I have used the clincher version and they are extremely durable, almost bomb proof. One of the best aero wheels out there, great momentum, you'll spin forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever....

yes, I will be looking at the clinchers

What he said...

I just ordered the Carbone SL Premium wheelset for my TT bike yesterday. The SL Premium are very similar to the SL except for a few titanium parts and decals. I've done much research before buying and they are known to be very durable. For extra protection, you can also buy the Mavic's 2-years protection plan (MP3) at the time of wheels purchase, which will provide coverages for crashes and accidents.

If the clinchers, I wouldn't hesitate a second. The best (and bomb proof) everyday wheelset I have ever ridden. Without peer. They will serve you well for racing too. Yes a bit heavy but hey, you are young and strong and they will only make you stronger!

The only drawback I see is that they have the Mavic buzz (and then some), so that any sneak attack is heard long before it is seen.

But again, I usually don't heap praise, but with extensive experience on many different sets of wheels, these were my all time favorites.

Good luck this year
zac

just got a set for 600 bucks, great wheelset. not the quietest i have ever ridden but nice. I havent gotten them up to speed yet as i am healing from a broken collarbone but i am very eager to get them up to speed.

anyone have any idea on the price of their mp3 plan?

Thanks, I just don't want to end up with a set of wheels that breaks with the slightest fall...

these will not break on an average fall, rememebr the rim is alloy and the carbon is just a fairing.

I've owned a set of Carbone clinchers for 10 years. They are tough, but as already mentioned they aren't really CF wheels. The rim is a fairly heavy aluminum box. I rode these wheels on a daily basis for about 3 years. The rear wheel eventually failed, a spoke eyelet broke which, as it turns out, is fatal to the wheel. The wheel appeared to be in perfect shape but when the internal eyelet broke, that one spoke could no longer be tightened. MAVIC reported that the wheel could not be repaired and sold me the later SL version for $400 (about 1/2 of retail). Unfortunately the SL version has black spokes and larger graphics that don't match the more attractive earlier pre SL version. On closer inspection it appears that the eyelets in the SL may be a bit more robust (they're hard to see even with the rim tape removed).
Tests have shown that the Carbone and similar wheels can improve your speed by about 1/4 to 1/3 mph which doesn't sound like much but can make a big difference competition. I now ride mine only in flat time trials. For road racing or crits I think lighter wheels accelerate quicker, at least they feel like they do, I have no statistics to back that up. Cross-winds are really noticeable but after I got use to the wheels this didn't bother me except when riding in a pack, then they are bad news. Mine have 57 mm rim profiles, some later versions have smaller profiles.

Al

We can't get the MP3 plan, Matt...

Anyways, I like mine. I've taken them on some baaaaad roads and they're still dead straight, and have never been trued.

They're not the lightest things ever, but who cares? They're tons faster than the Ksyrium SL's.

George said that we had the opportunity last year, so we probably would this year... I am just going of what he told me.

Please tell us you got a new pair for that much and then where you got them at. :D

My lbs charges $115.99 for mine.

how heavy are they?

yes, new. i wanted the permium but was willing to give up the 50 grams for that price. I did ride them in the wind the other day and way when it gusts at you it's crazy.

It was a 1 time thing for that price, i would have bought 6 pairs if i had the chance.

about 1800g without skewers.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/li...ype=roadwheels

Some people think that's heavy, but I reckon it's a good weight

Nope. We can't get it, couldn't last year either.

8% of MSRP.