Checked the weight difference online for Mavic Ksyrium Elite vrs. the SSC SL.

Comes to 185 grams lighter, 6.6 ounces. Over six ounces seems like a lot to me but never experienced that difference in weight for a comparison. Anyone know what its like? Been ridding on the Elite for years now but often have wondered what that much less rotating weight would do for the ride. Worth it? or would the most noticable difference be a much lighter wallet ?

In my experience, all things being equal, as long as you're not cycling up hills all day then 185 grams extra weight on your wheels isn't going to be all that noticeable. Having said this i'd go for the lightest wheelset you can afford because you'll have a more enjoyable ride if nothing else. To me it's worth paying the extra money for this alone. Cycling is supposed to be fun after all.

The Mavic site has the Elites at 780/990 = 1770g The SSC SL's at 660/840 = 1500g, that is 270g which is more significant.

CHEERS.

Mark

Rotational weight is more important than static weight. If I remember correctly from my engineering classes, the actual weight that you can take off rotational weight is equal to 4 x's static weight. I think having lighter wheels are very important to a cyclist.

Unless you buy ultralight racing wheels then they are not strong enough for on the road riding everyday, then a slightly heavier wheel will be better. If your racing then you usually need 2 wheel sets, one set you train on that is cheaper to buy and thus heavier and the other most expensive lighter rims for racing only.

Probably .

Pedaling a half pound less{thats about 270g isnt it?}for miles at a 95 cadence will show.

Rotating mass makes itself felt most when accelerating, so you will notice the difference in stop and go commuting traffic. Not much in a time trial at a pretty steady speed.

The biggest factor will be your overall average speed.
I agree with those who say that wheel wgt differences
that are in the several hundred gram range are primarily
an acceleration limiting factor. The wind resistance of
the wheel is a bigger factor than the weight as your
average speed goes above 18-20mph, especially above 26mph. Time trialists use shrouded rear wheels and oversize rims optimised for low air resistance and gladly
ignore the significant weight penalty these impose because the benefit at 26-30mph of low air resistance
greatly outweighs the weight penalty. Everything else
being equal the lighter the bike the less energy needed
for a given speed but 6-12 oz is the difference between
a waterbottle full and 1/3d empty or a dump before the
ride. Steve