ahson

I am 165lbs and deciding whether the S2.0, S3.0, or the S3.0SL will be the perfect wheel set for my daily training. I am here in Toronto and roads are pretty flat here, maybe some false flats though.

Any comments?

bobonker

I've had the S3.0 Xpert and the S2.0 SL. The S2.0 SL is one of the lightest set of clinchers out there at 1330g. The rear has stayed true for me, but I've had to adjust the front a few times. Overall, it seems like there isn't enough spoke tension in the front because both times the front needed adjustment, it was due to a loose spoke.

The S3.0 Xperts were great for me. I kinda miss them! They rolled real smooth, climbed well, and took some serious abuse and never went out of true.

Bob

Inertianinja

After a few thousand miles:

S2.0s are great, stronger than they look. Stood up to Flatbush Avenue this Tuesday like it was nothing.
C5.0s are also great, but are a little more flexy. I notice it only out of the saddle on climbs. Might be my fault, rocking the bike too much.

I had a small problem with pawl springs but Sean, of course, handled it perfectly and quickly.

ahson

I see you had the S3.0 Xpert, what happened to that wheelset? No good and sold it? Were those S3.0 Xpert 'aero' enough that you noticed the difference?

bobonker

I sold them so that I could buy the 2.0 SLs. In hindsight, I should have kept them. For the price, they are a pretty unbeatable wheelset.

As far as aero, I didn't really notice because I had them on a bike that I mostly use for climbing. Sorry...no help there.

Bob

ahson

In that case, do you feel the S2.0 is a better wheelset for climbing?

Jeepnut22 

Diggin' this look... Well played sir...

WHOOOSSHHH...

I noticed Soul uses the red nipples upon request. ALL the wheel builders that I've spoken to including two on this site, say that it's not a good idea, due to the material used on these nipples. Is SOUL using a special material? Psimet and Boyd wheels have both rejected my idea to use red ones, due to durability issues...Let me put it this way...they strongly suggested not to use the red ones!

bobonker

^^^ They must have their reasons, but I can't see why color would make a difference. All of the recent Shimano stuff (WH-7850, RS80, etc) have red nipples and I know people who have run those wheels for years with no problems. I'd be curious to hear about the reasoning behind. Anodizing process weakening the material?

ahson: Yes, I feel that the S2.0SL is a better climbing wheel than the S3.0 Expert. A nice compromise would be the S3.0 SL. You get the deeper rim and it's only 60g heavier than the S2.0.

Bob

fa63

In this case, I am guessing because red nipples only come in alloy, and alloy nipples are not as durable as brass ones.

ahson

Sorry to bug you about these wheels as I am torn between the S2.0 and S3.0SL. I am curious if the S3.0SL can be my daily training wheelset? I understand the S2.0 should be stronger but I like how the aero look on the S3.0SL. I ride about 4-5 times a week, and about a 40km trip each time. Would you recommend the S3.0 for daily use? Thanks for your help!

renton

I put about 3000km on my set of 3.0SL this year and they hold up perfectly. I ride about 200km a week, mostly paved roads with some bumpy sections. I weigh 180lbs (82kg).

ahson

Have you ridden the 3.0SL across rail tracks, speed bumps, pot holes? Are they still holding up perfectly after all those abuses? If so, I rather go with the SL than the Xperts because of their weight difference. I asked Sean about this, but somehow he recommended me the 2.0 Max or the S3.0Xperts which both of them are some heavy wheelsets. By the way, I am 165lbs.

ahson

These 3.0SL claimed to be 1400g on Soul's website. Ummm..

bobonker

The 2.0 SLs came in at 1341g on my scale (which has always read a touch high) with no decals. Advertised weight is 1330g, so I consider 1341g to be ok.

The 3.0 Xperts came in at 1560g with stickers vs the advertised 1540g. Again, within 1%.

For reference, Mavic Ksyrium SLs are advertised at 1463g and weighed 1505g on my scale.

I did an organized century about a month ago on the 2.0 SLs. 7000+ ft of gain and they took some serious abuse. There was a 13 mile section of road with nasty potholes hidden in the shade, about a dozen cattle guards, and ruts. The rear stayed perfectly true. The front came out of true, but I noticed that one of the spokes had come loose. After tightening it, the wheel was dead straight again. I'd consider the 2.0 SLs tough enough for daily riding.

Bob

WHOOOSSHHH...

Correct answer...

ahson

Great info! Thanks!

halfspeed

My C4.0s came with brass on one side of the rear wheel and aluminum on the other. They were all black. The nipples immediately started to shear off so I had Sean send me a set of longer spokes and I rebuilt the wheel with the new spokes and all aluminum nipples from my stash. The wheel has stayed true since with no other issues. There's an old thread about my experiences somewhere.

ahson

S2.0SL vs S3.0SL: Does rim height (25mm vs 31mm) make a noticeable aero difference on a bike? If not, I rather go for the S2.0SL for their light weight and durability.

ddscyclist

Anyone with the white 2.0SL? I kinda wanna see them on a bike...

renton

I did. So far no problems at all.

bianchi10

that is the reason boyd gave me.

bianchi10

beautiful, but stop cross chaining that sexy thing!

bianchi10

that saddle position has to put a lot of pressure on your hands.....

bianchi10

Edited: found info