rokudan

I had ordered a different set of wheels, but they called to tell me they did not have them in stock, but could do the new 2009 Easton EA90 SLX's for 600 bucks.

I researched all I could, and just wanted to get some opinions from the experts, on if this was a good deal?? It seems like it is.

I weigh about 170, and being that I live in Florida, don't have to exit the saddle too often for strenuous road climbs or the like. As well, I don't compete, or care to, so no need for mad crazy sprints. I just wanna cruise along at 18-20mph, and be happy.

I don't mind the maintenance that I read these lighter SLX's may need, I just hope I made a good choice by jumping on the new '09 model for that price.

Side note: Is there a tell tale way that I can check, once I get them, to make sure I did indeed get the 2009 model and not the 2008?

wcoastbikr

The easton ea90 slx is primarily a climbing wheel. If I were you I would buy something with a deeper rim...you live in Florida, there is nowhere to climb.

MONGO!

$600 is an average deal, not great compared to what you can get them for online.

Question is, why do you want a super lightweight wheel if you live in Florida?
Light wheels are not going to help you cruise at speed, they'll help with accelerations and climbing.

You'd be better off with a deeper rim.

rokudan

The cheapest I found them for online, including eBay, was ~750. Most of the sites I hit had them at about 1000... Note, that was for the 2009 model. The 2008 model I found as low as 400, but average 500...

Would you say it was a mistake to order, and I should call, cancel and go with something else?


I really appreciate the input! Thank you!

af2nr

I think they are good wheels for there purpose. I don't know that they are the best for your intended purpose though? What wheels were you originally going to get and are they comparable to them? If so then they may work out for you, but as others have said you would do better with a deeper aero wheel for your stated purposes...

rokudan

I was going to go with Shimano Ultegra 6600 SL wheels. I'm not sure at my level of inexperience, that I would notice a difference between any wheelset. I just wanted to get a good quality wheel, that would serve me well for at least a few years.

Homebrew01

I think the main difference between 2008 and 2009 is the 2009 have ceramic bearings. If you benefit from the placebo effect, go with the 2009.

MONGO!

I don't think it's a mistake as such, just that there are better wheels for your needs, e.g. Williams System 30 https://www.williamscycling.com/sys30/sys30.html

tubescreamerx

or better yet, i daresay these: https://bikesoul.com/2009/index.php?o...id=4&Itemid=12

asv

$600 is a good price for 09 EA90SLX. I really like mine..

wcoastbikr

I agree the price is good...but the ea90 slx's are primarly a short sprint and climbing wheel. Not something you'd want on all flat terrain. You'd benefit more from a more aerodynamic wheel that's a little heavier than a light less aerodynamic wheel.

The difference between the 2009 and 2008 models are ceramic bearings and the 2009's are a smudge lighter and come with red nipples. Nothing you'd really notice.

merlin55

also the cassette body is red, and fits ONLY 10 speed cassettes (I assumin you bought Shimano)

rokudan

Yes, I did make sure to have them match the correct hub/cassette.

I guess in the end, since they are already being shipped... I hope they are just a decent quality wheel that will last a while. Like said, I dont think at my level I would notice much of a difference between wheels. Blindfold me, put me on a bike, and have me ride... And I could not tell you what kind wheels were on it.. Of course, being blindfolded and riding a bike, is not a suggested course of action.

soma5

I like mine, but I weigh < 130lb. They are far better in crosswinds than my Ksyrium ES wheels. I also have a set of Mavic/Dura Ace handbuilts for comparison. I usually ride the Eastons.

Gee3

Since they are already on their way try them out. If you don't like them then you know you can possibly make about a $150 profit on them on eBay.

If I didn't get a good deal on the DT Swiss RR1450's I'd probably have the Eastons.

rokudan

Yeah... I guess I am just hoping they are of decent quality and durability...

wcoastbikr

I've been looking at the ea90 slx's and the Rolf Prima Vigor's. They're very close in weight and the Vigor's are deeper rims. I'm only about 130-135lbs and not that strong of a rider so I'd be ok with them as a training wheel.

bigtea

If that is the case then get the EA90SL's, if you can find them on sale. I notice that the SLX's are usually on sale over the internet, but the SL's rarely are. How much do you weigh?

rokudan

Right now 170, but fluctuates anywhere between 170 and 180...

I received this from Easton:

sstorkel

Easton wheels are great! The freewheel is a bit loud. I'm around the same weight as the OP and find that the EA90 SL is a very stiff, dare I say almost uncomfortably stiff, wheel. The easiest way to tell an '08 SLX from an '09 SLX is to weigh them; the older wheels are about 75g/set heavier than the '09s.

Homebrew01

I just happen to have some new 2008 SLX for sale if anyone's interested. $525 + shipping

hocker

I am going to disagree with some people on a couple of things. The 2009 SLX wheel set is not just for climbing, it is good all around wheel for the money, perfect for the style of riding you are doing, maybe even overkill. $600 for the '09 is a steel, I have seen them on Ebay for $689-$999. Where else can you get ceramic bearings, <1400 grams (w/o QRs), hand built, and from a quality company for that price? The graphics are different from '08 to '09, look at the Easton Website to see '09. Make sure you got the right hub body for your cassette as there are three or four versions, '09 DA, Red, Campy (silver) and 9 speed (I think). Before I bought my last wheel set (DA 7850), I looked hard at about 6 wheel sets and my final three included the SLX '09, DT Mon Chasserals and the ones I ended up with. I never saw them for your price...take 'em and run.

tubescreamerx

easton's got a nice video touting their new lineup of wheels, in case anyone is interested. pretty cool to see the types of torture tests they have set up for durability...

https://www.eastonbike.com/index_vid.html

khatfull

Sorry to resurrect an oldish thread but I talked to Easton today and got some relevant info concerning the above.

I e-mailed Easton and got a reply from that Chuck Teixeira who's the Director of Bicycle Engineering that appears in the neato video on the mail eastonbike.com page. Chuck verified the above plus: "The current cassette body that comes standard on EA90 SL, TT, & Aero is compatible with 105 10speed. The EA 90 SLX is not, but the cassette can be switched out for a non SLX 10speed body that will work with a 105 cassette."

The stock cassette body on the R4SL hub, which is what the EA90 SLX has, ONLY works with DA7800/7900 10 speed cassettes. I talked on the phone to Scott in the wheel service department and he said that most Ultegra cassettes WON'T work although a few have, and only about 25% of the 105 cassettes will work. He said it was "spacing issue" and because of that they officially don't support anything but DA on the R4SL hub currently, they're working on it.

However since this is a known issue they will take your CC number, ship you a standard R4 cassette body with the 2009 ceramic bearings installed and as long as you return the stock one from your 2009 EA90 SLX R4SL hub within two weeks they won't charge your CC. You'll have your DA/Ultegra/105 compatible 2009 EA 90 SLX with ceramic bearings at only a teeny weight penalty from the standard R4 cassette body. I'm assuming it would have to be unused obviously.

Thought I'd add this info to the cloud...

powpow

That video is really cool. I need one of those soundboard truing stands!