mrob239

I'm getting a new bike and would like to buy some decent training wheels below $600 or so. I can get both of these wheels for a very reasonable price where I work but I can't decide between the two.

I've done research on both wheels but would like to hear from people that have actually ridden either of these wheels. I realize that the Ksyriums are obviously lighter, but the Eastons seem a bit more aero and maybe stiffer because of the higher spoke count.

The price isn't a huge factor in making the decision, I am just wondering which wheel would be better overall for riding/sprinting/climbing.

We don't carry too many brands of wheels so the choice is only between these two wheels in the price range.

If it helps at all I'm about 140lbs.

Thanks!

entukay

ea90's, i got mine new for 455 + shipping from the ebays. if you're obligated to buy from your shop though can you get ea90's for around 600? you should if theres any sort of discount.

mrob239

I thought about that too, the ea90 sl wheels maybe a little more than I want to spend but the ea90 aero wheels are in the price range, but I've heard that those wheels are not as stiff and have had problems with the cassettes digging into the cassette body...would love to hear if anyone has any experiences with these wheels too.

Vireo

Please buy the Easton. Easton EP is a VERY generous discount better than your shop employee discount.

Boycott Mavic Ksyrium wheels.

Gluteus

[QUOTE=Vireo;9150804]Please buy the Easton. Easton EP is VERY a generous discount to even your shop employee discount.

Boycott Mavic Ksyrium wheels.[/QUOTE]

Why?

Second Mouse

I've been riding the EA70s for about a year, mostly crits and training. Very happy with them, as they've stayed stiff and true under my 200 pounds. $500 is a bit much, but if you can get a good discount they're nice wheels. The rear hub is kind of noisey, but not irritating.

No experience with the Mavics.

+1

Vireo

Because they are overated, overpriced, ride like crap, are not aerodynamic, suck in crosswinds and are NOT "bombproof".

ravenmore

Elites are not great wheels. I have a set and the only reason I do is because I happened to have them fall in my lap pretty much. They're heavy, expensive, and can be hard to control in crosswinds. They are fairly durable in my opinion, but honestly for the price you could probably get two sets of hand built wheels that are every bit as tough and are lighter and roll better. Honestly, that would be my suggestion to you.

SushiJoe

DT Swiss RR 1450 Mon Chasseral

Problem solved.
Can be found for cheaper but I'm too lazy to look.

BetweenRides

I have to Disagree. I'm 240 pounds and have these wheels on two bikes. Clydes tend to shred most wheels, but I got over 16,000 miles on the last set without breaking a spoke or having to true the wheels. You can't get more bomb proof than that. I just had the rear wheel factory rebuilt after noticing a little flex when I sprint or climb standing. Basically got a new wheel, as the only part they reused was the hub body. The newest version of the Elites are now lighter with the same stainless spokes and machined inter-spoke rims. Weight is about the same as the EA90 SL, TT or Aero models.

sstorkel

I have a set of EA90 SL wheels and they're damn stiff. They're just as aero as the EA90 Aero, which is to say: neither wheel is especially aero. For less than $500, they're a great wheelset! If I hadn't purchased the Eastons, I'd have gone with Williams. Mavic wheels are overpriced, in my opinion.

botto 

according to whom?

depends on what you pay for them.



apparently.

not in my experience.

just like every other wheel.

wanders

After what I've put both my elites and sl's through, I'm a mavic koolaid drinking, true believer. Now I'm waiting on the 58mm 2500g ksyrium aero to come out.

dsellinger

How about Soul S3.0 SL's?

Sonoma76

My 235lb ass has put 4,000 miles on both Mavic Aksiums and Mavic Kysrium wheels and I can testify that they stand up to abuse, roll well and remain true.

One time I accidentally rode into a grate at about 13mph on my Aksiums. After picking myself up off the pavement I expected my front wheel would be destroyed, but the only problem I had was a pinch flat.

I drink the Mavic coolaid too, though I wouldn't come within 10 feet of R-Sys.

ted ward

The ea70 has a solid front wheel that feels better out of the saddle than even my ec90 aero, but the rear wheel rubs the brake pads unless they're set pretty loose so it probably loses out to the ksyrium in rear stiffness. I do like easton's support and the ea70 has been quite durable, so I might still prefer it over the ksyrium for the same price. If the ksyrium is cheaper, though, I'd go for that.

I paid $215 for mine online. $400 puts you in ea90 territory.

topflightpro

I had Elites for about a year. No problems with them. They stayed true and I had ZERO problems in crosswinds, and this was when I was living in West Texas and rode past wind farms on my ride, so it was pretty freaking windy there.

I then got the SLs - my wife got the Elites. SLs are more affected by the crosswinds.

I sold the Elites, which I now regret doing, and now my wife rides Aksiums, that I got cheap on Craigslist. Other than being heavy, they seem fine so far.

I have no personal experience with Eastons, though I have heard nothing but good things about them.

You really can't go wrong either way, just get whichever set is cheaper.

Vireo

Overated -- by the people on this forum. They talk up Ksyrium this Ksyrium that blah blah blah.

Overpriced-- speaking in terms of MSRP. There are so many ways to get them cheaper but we need a standard price to do our comparison.

Ride like crap-- Here is the key and it is subjective-- As a long distance rider they are too stiff for MY liking. I prefer to have a little more comfort in my wheels. I prefer handbuilt wheels.

Aero-- Those thick bladed spokes are not aero. Zipp loves to use the "K" wheel in their aero test and plot its performance on their chart.

Crosswinds- Fact. In MY experience.

"bomproof" moniker- Correct just like any other wheel. But in this case comparing Easton EA70 or even EA50 (when they were Circuit and Vista respectively) they came OEM on Cervelos for years. We didn't have broken spoke issues with those wheels. More Ksyriums came in and have come in for repairs than than Easton wheels.

Bonus round -- They don't come with a Power Tap option.

Socalcycling

Sounds like someone was denied a Mavic dealership and is slightly bitter about it.

My suggestion, wheelbuilder.com

Vireo

Negative do your research more than stocked with Mavic wheels here.

Wheelbuilder.com He has built many wheels for me.

merlin55

I have 4 year old Mavics K Elites, which I ride downtown, off curbs, bunny hopping up curves, and dodging pot holes. THey are not super light, but have never broke a spoke, and the cross wind issue is highly overrated...I've ridden them in 40 mph gusty cross winds and everbody was getting blown around.

I'm got Easton Circuits on my 2 year carbon wonder weekend road bike and they ride great, just as stiff as the Mavics, and a little lighter. Easton has treated me right on warranty issues on some other wheels, so vote is to buy local (Easton), you neven know when you will some warranty TLC. Also the Easton spokes are less exotic to buy and replace if you do something stupid.

intence

I have the EA70s and have been very happy with them. Haven't had to have them trued yet, and haven't broken anything on them, but don't they use regular Sapim spokes as opposed to the Mavics which use a custom spoke?

The freehub is a bit noisy, but that's my only complaint. When Chainlove used to actually have decent deals (when they started last year), they were selling the Eastons for a bit over $200 which was a steel. At $400 I would see if you could get the EA90s.

The only problem I had with the EA70s is that they made me hate riding on my Aksiums

adam

Isn't that the case with any wheel that uses an aluminum freehub body?

alancw3

+1. i am 6'4" and 220, have been cycling for almost 45 years now and have to say the mavic kyseruim elites are the best wheels i have ever had on a bike. came stock on my 2006 c'dale six13. now have 12000 miles on them and have never had a problem. these wheels are bulletproof. perfectly true after all those miles.

Youngin

Wow, I have the exact scenario as you. Work at a shop, $600 range, and weigh 140. I was going to post a thread yesterday buy didn't. Weird, anyways, the DT Swiss Mon Chasseral's are what I've got my eye on. They don't require anything special but are nice quality. I'm just wondering if it would be cheaper to get 240's, DT swiss spokes and an open pro.