Easton EA90 SLX or Used Mavic SL/ES
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Easton EA90 SLX or Used Mavic SL/ES
I'm looking far and wide for a nice wheelset to upgrade these shimano junker wheels on my CAAD9
I like to climb more than anything so that would definitely be a good place to start. I'm 160 lbs as well.
I love the specs and look of the Mavics, I'm looking on Ebay for a used pair of SL's around 500 or maybe ES's for around 750, but I'm not sure if the upgrade is worth the extra $250 (advice?)
And compared to a set of new Easton EA90's on Performance? ($599)
I like to climb more than anything so that would definitely be a good place to start. I'm 160 lbs as well.
I love the specs and look of the Mavics, I'm looking on Ebay for a used pair of SL's around 500 or maybe ES's for around 750, but I'm not sure if the upgrade is worth the extra $250 (advice?)
And compared to a set of new Easton EA90's on Performance? ($599)
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19mm rim (think its actually 22mm though..)
20/24 bladed spokes (regular j bend so they can be replaced easily if needed), ceramic bearings
1440g, comes with rimstrips and skewers
www.williamscycling.com
and yes i own a pair - they are quite stiff
*edit* $499 + s/h + CA tax (if in CA)
20/24 bladed spokes (regular j bend so they can be replaced easily if needed), ceramic bearings
1440g, comes with rimstrips and skewers
www.williamscycling.com
and yes i own a pair - they are quite stiff
*edit* $499 + s/h + CA tax (if in CA)
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#6
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19mm rim (think its actually 22mm though..)
20/24 bladed spokes (regular j bend so they can be replaced easily if needed), ceramic bearings
1440g, comes with rimstrips and skewers
www.williamscycling.com
and yes i own a pair - they are quite stiff
*edit* $499 + s/h + CA tax (if in CA)
20/24 bladed spokes (regular j bend so they can be replaced easily if needed), ceramic bearings
1440g, comes with rimstrips and skewers
www.williamscycling.com
and yes i own a pair - they are quite stiff
*edit* $499 + s/h + CA tax (if in CA)
I'm petty about the looks of my wheels, but these sound like kick ass wheels.
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i have the slx and love them, great for climbing, from what i understand mavics are not so light because of the weight distribution in the rim or something like that
anyway i weigh 160 too and i have had no problems with the slx, very quick and responsive, very light, and very sexy
anyway i weigh 160 too and i have had no problems with the slx, very quick and responsive, very light, and very sexy

#8
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I have ridden both the Easton EA90 SLX and the Mavic Ksyrium SL3 long term. I currently own just the Eastons. You can't lose with either wheel, but here are my thoughts:
Easton: SLIGHTLY lighter. Smoother hub ratcheting. Spoke nipples use a standard wrench. But, they use rim strips and they don't maintain trueness nearly as well.
Mavic: Incredibly durable. Hub ratcheting is relatively noisy. Spoke nipples require a special wrench. No rim strips necessary. Maintain their true through everything short of a nuclear blast.
If the price were equal? I would probably go with Mavic, but it's a close call. With the price difference? No question. Eastons work just as well for a lot less money.
Easton: SLIGHTLY lighter. Smoother hub ratcheting. Spoke nipples use a standard wrench. But, they use rim strips and they don't maintain trueness nearly as well.
Mavic: Incredibly durable. Hub ratcheting is relatively noisy. Spoke nipples require a special wrench. No rim strips necessary. Maintain their true through everything short of a nuclear blast.
If the price were equal? I would probably go with Mavic, but it's a close call. With the price difference? No question. Eastons work just as well for a lot less money.
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19mm rim (think its actually 22mm though..)
20/24 bladed spokes (regular j bend so they can be replaced easily if needed), ceramic bearings
1440g, comes with rimstrips and skewers
www.williamscycling.com
and yes i own a pair - they are quite stiff
*edit* $499 + s/h + CA tax (if in CA)
20/24 bladed spokes (regular j bend so they can be replaced easily if needed), ceramic bearings
1440g, comes with rimstrips and skewers
www.williamscycling.com
and yes i own a pair - they are quite stiff
*edit* $499 + s/h + CA tax (if in CA)
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Curious about the weight; did you weigh them? I got the System 30's which are supposed to be 1540 grams. Mine came in at 1660g with rim tape but without skewers. Keith said the tape weighs 35g's per strip so take off 70g's and the wheels weigh 1590g. Were yours closer to advertised weight?
As for SLXs, I've got a pair and have generally been quite happy with them. I think for 09 they also have hybrid ceramic bearings, which may give them the edge over the Mavics if it's a toss up.
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I have a pair of ES's and a pair of the '09 EA90 SLX. The Eastons are noticeably lighter (about 1/4 pound) and more compliant. I can run a more comfortable (for me, I weigh 130) tire pressure in the Eastons without pinch flatting. But I've got 7K miles on the Mavics and they are in great shape, almost like new. The Eastons have less than 1K miles so far, so I don't have any kind of longevity comparisons. Not that either should be trashed after so few miles, actually. I prefer the Eastons in any kind of wind and for climbing. The Mavics, with their wide spokes, are a little uncomfortable in gusty crosswinds although you can get used to it.
-soma5
-soma5
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I took the tape off my 30s and they still weighed 1620g. Not great but okay. My guess is the 19s will likely come in over claimed weight as well, but do a search since many people on here have bought them.
As for SLXs, I've got a pair and have generally been quite happy with them. I think for 09 they also have hybrid ceramic bearings, which may give them the edge over the Mavics if it's a toss up.
As for SLXs, I've got a pair and have generally been quite happy with them. I think for 09 they also have hybrid ceramic bearings, which may give them the edge over the Mavics if it's a toss up.
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1620g is starting to be quite a bit much outside the stated weight without the rimtape. So perhaps the tape does not weigh 35g per strip as Keith stated. I haven't taken it off to check. What kind of tape and size did you put back on? BTW, they seem to be very nice wheels but I have not had a chance to ride them yet. Have been on a set of Ksyrium SL's for several years and they have been virtually mainenance free.
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I have the Easton Orion II's and Mavic SL 3 Premiums, and the Mavics win hands down for me.
The Eastons do ride very light as the rim is lighter than the Mavic, so they spin up fast and easily, but this is also their downfall in my opinion. They are not a very durable wheelset, and mine have needed trueing several times within the first year (I weigh 155), once from just skidding sideways to avoid a car pulling out on me.
Easton took them back to the factory and did this under warranty twice, but this is a pain to do.
The Mavics are not so nimble feeling, but they are totally bombproof, and I find them quicker on the flat or downhill than the Eastons, but mainly they are a true fit and forget wheelset.
I have over 10K miles on mine and still run as true as the day they came out of the box, the Eastons are hanging up in the garage, and the Orions are heavier even than the SLX's so should be more robust. I didn't get on with the Eastons as an everday wheel.
The Eastons do ride very light as the rim is lighter than the Mavic, so they spin up fast and easily, but this is also their downfall in my opinion. They are not a very durable wheelset, and mine have needed trueing several times within the first year (I weigh 155), once from just skidding sideways to avoid a car pulling out on me.
Easton took them back to the factory and did this under warranty twice, but this is a pain to do.
The Mavics are not so nimble feeling, but they are totally bombproof, and I find them quicker on the flat or downhill than the Eastons, but mainly they are a true fit and forget wheelset.
I have over 10K miles on mine and still run as true as the day they came out of the box, the Eastons are hanging up in the garage, and the Orions are heavier even than the SLX's so should be more robust. I didn't get on with the Eastons as an everday wheel.
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I have the Mavic SSC/SL and it has been my experience thus far that they are bombproof...I've heard that the ES come out of true a bit more than desired...have heard very good things about the SLXs...also, I don't know difference between various Mavic SLs, but, I've seen the SSC/SL frequently in the $200-$300 range on eBay for the wheelset...
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Curious about the weight; did you weigh them? I got the System 30's which are supposed to be 1540 grams. Mine came in at 1660g with rim tape but without skewers. Keith said the tape weighs 35g's per strip so take off 70g's and the wheels weigh 1590g. Were yours closer to advertised weight?
the whole testrider.com review says theirs came in lower so its a toss.
they are lighter than my previous wheelset which were claimed 1540g. they spin up fast.
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i know many people with the 30's and 30x's and there are few complaints. 30's are supposedly more aero but at that depth there probably isnt much difference. the 30/30x rim is deeper so should be stronger if you are looking for something more bulletproof.
williams comes out to a lot of the races in norcal and there are many teams sponsored by them. a lot of people race them and can attest to their durability. I know some domestic pros that ride and race them.
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Do you want to climb or get better at climbing? If you want to get better at climbing, get the heavier wheelset. And add some full extra water bottles.
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that makes no sense. you can just climb faster per same effort level with lighter wheels. that is all. if you need more mountain, do repeats.
#22
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Found a pair of 400 mile 1 year old EA90 SLX's
I think I might bite at $350 with new tires
sound like a deal?
I think I might bite at $350 with new tires
sound like a deal?
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I have not tried the EA90's, but I have the Ksyriums right under the ES. You can't go wrong with this wheelset. Stiff, durable and light enough.
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https://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/Cycle/7/Wheels_-_Road/
Keep you eye on the GBP.
A few weeks back,
I scored the SL Premiums at 40% off of my LBS mrsp, shipped.
Keep you eye on the GBP.
A few weeks back,
I scored the SL Premiums at 40% off of my LBS mrsp, shipped.