Seems like every day there's another silly question about which wheelset to buy. Looks like today is my day...

With the 25% cash back program through live.com it seems like it might not be a bad time to buy a set of wheels on eBay. I've been using a set of Neuvation M28 Aero2s. As a $200 upgrade to a 15-year old bike, they made sense. But my new Cervelo RS deserves better wheels!

My budget is around $500-600 (less 25% cash back = $375-450). My weight is around 190lbs and I'll use the wheels for training, weekend rides on crappy roads, centuries, etc; no racing. I spend far more time climbing hills at 10-15mph than blasting across flats at 20+mph, so aero probably isn't terribly important. I'd like to find a clincher wheelset that's around 1500g and isn't going to require constant maintenance. After searching around on eBay, it seems the likely candidates are: Easton EA90SL, EA90SLX, EA90 Aero, Mavic Ksyrium Elite, and Bontrager Race X Lite. Reynolds Attack and Ksyrium SLs are harder to find and a bit above my intended budget. All of these are the '08 version of the wheel.

Any thoughts? I'm currently leaning toward the '08 Easton EA90 SL as a nice compromise between weight, durability, and price...

In my experiences, and to the dismay of other BFer's, I love Mavic. You can pick up a brand new set of Ksyrium SL's for like $600 if you shop around. Fantastic wheels and bulletproof!! I would stay way from carbon wheels all together because:

1. They sound like death when braking (full carbon at least)
2. They are costly to repair.
3. For the money you can do much much better. (reliability, durability, and even weight in some cases)

I have been running a set of Rolf Prima Vigor clinchers that I am in love with (if that helps).

Easton make terrific wheels as well, and I would also recommend Fulcrum. Really what it boils down to is you preference ...and what you think look the coolest

https://bikesoul.com/s2.html

If you're spending most of your time climbing. You can swap between your neuvations and these if you want.

If you want blingier wheels, check out the 3.0's and 4.0's which are more aero, but slightly heavier.

I really want a set of the 4.0s.

Not trying to hijack the thread but I had to respond to this one.

You must be around people who don't use proper carbon brake pads. I ride Edge 68 clinchers and I used shimano durace carbon specific pads for a couple days and they were horrible. Screeched to no end. Everybody from miles around could hear me braking.

A set of Swissstop yellows took care of everything. Not a single peep in a thousand miles or more plus the braking power is really nice and strong.

Ea90slx

This surprised me since so many BF roadies seem to love Easton wheels.

INHO, the MAVIC Ksyrium SLs slaughter most other wheels. The rear hub has the radial spokes on the correct side (drive side; reduces required dish and breakage) and the straight-pull spokes reduce breakage at the "j" bend.

Also, MAVIC are the only hubs I know of that you adjust after they are tightened down in the frame, meaning you can adjust them perfectly every time.

I have SLs on all my bikes (except the cruzers) and I really think they are the best. If all you care (or know) about is weight then the Eastons are probably fine, but if you want a wheel with real advantages go MAVIC.

How long will they hold up given my weight? I hate fooling around with wheels...

I spent last month all over the internet looking at pre-built wheels, and building wheels here and there. What a quandary. Almost bought Easton EA90sl's but ended up building wheels at PWB and spending a bit more than I had budgeted. Serves me right for getting picky about the spokes... Oh well.

Ended up with White Industries hubs, Sapim race spokes, Velocity Aerohead rims and USE SpinSticks skewers. $770 with Rox rimstrips and the skewers. 24fr/28rear, 2x. I had budgeted around $500. Well I was close, sorta.

You could probably stay close to your budget by using whatever skewers you have and standard double-butted spokes. ProWheelBuilder did a good job on the build and the wheels are very light. And there is something about WI chrome hubs, just classy looking. When you get wheels built, you call the shots, and you decide what you need and what you are willing to spend for and how it is built, not some marketing guy.

Originally Posted by MONGO! Ea90slx



Sigh...

I have to admit, I haven't been really impressed with Mavic cheaper wheels, which makes me a bit hesitant to buy their more expensive hoops. The SLs are a bit out of my price range. How are the Ksyrium Elites? I know they're ugly, but how do they ride?

I bought Ultegra / Open Pro with revolution spokes for $269 at bicyclewheelwarehouse. It took them 10 days to deliver them, so they took off the delivery charge. Quite happy with $269 for my wheelset!

Easton EA90 SLX works for me at #170 nicely. Finding them for $450 (retail $750) isn't bad either...

You're kidding, right? I already own a set of wheels that are cheaper, lighter, and more aero. Why would I want to spend money on the Ultegra/Open Pro combo?

Well said.

Look:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Mavic-Ksyrium-SL...1%7C240%3A1318

or

https://cgi.ebay.com/MAVIC-KSYRIUM-SL...1%7C240%3A1318

I paid $325 for my last set and they are perfect.

Don't settle, just shop smart.

My bad - didn't read the whole thread. I vote Easton EA90's. I have Orion II's on my look and love them, so Easton EA90 Aero would be my fave out of your list.

Hmm this makes me wonder about my carbon wheelset. I am running a set of 50mm full carbon tubulars with swiss stop yellow pads and they make horrible noises!! Maybe I don't have the brake calipers adjusted properly? Once again, I feel like we're hijacking this thread but now im interested!!

If I were buying based on looks alone, I'd go with the Attacks. Nice, brand-new 1500g carbon wheels shipped to my door for $573.01 or less after coupon and cash back! Also love the looks of paired-spoke wheels like the Rolf Vigor and Bontragers. With all of these wheels, though, I worry about durability.

The Easton EA90 variants are a bit bland-looking, but for about half the price of the Attacks (e.g. $291.85 for the EA90 SLX), they're probably all I need...

I outweigh you by 25 pounds, and have had zero problems with my ea90slx wheels. Great wheels, especially for the prices they go for now.

You can get a set of wheels with AC hubs, IRD 30mm rims, sapim CX ray spokes, that weigh 1458g made at PWB for $637.

I just found a set of 2008 Rolf Prima Vigors on closeout sale for $599. As soon as they open I'm giving them a call and ordering a set.

Rob

Tell me: why would I want these over a $573 set of 1485g Reynolds Attack carbon clinchers or a $292 set of 1398g Easton EA90SLXs?

I don't understand what you're still debating. This should be an easy decision. Read the reviews, try the wheels if you can, and buy the one that best suits your needs.

You want to know whether you're better suited for the EA90 SL or the SLX and whether the Reynolds and Mavics are worth the price jump.

I'd get the SL version if I were to go the Easton route with your usage and weight. The Reynolds are meant to be aero but if you're just cruising at 10-15 mph, the benefits don't match the cost although they do look nice. I've never seen any benefit for the Mavic K's. They're pretty bombproof but the Ult/OP combo that you shot down earlier is more so.

The EA90 SL is pretty much the obvious choice. Go for the Reynolds or the Mavics if you want some bling but from the price/perf standpoint, the Eastons stand out.

A common belief that isn't true. Aero helps at any speed. True, speed means more benefits, but you still gain at any speed. Some data suggests the proportional benefits are greater at slower speeds.

Where is said data?

I'm considering a very similar build. Subjective question, but do you consider the free hub on the rear WI/H2 loud or quiet? Thanks.

Not any louder than Shimano Ultegra 6600 hubs. Quieter than Campy Record.