Thoughts on Mavic Aksium wheels
 

I am looking for sub $300 wheels (more like $250). I have a quote from PSIMET, and my LBS can get me a deal on on some Aksiums. I also like the Forte Titans (which are a lot cheaper). A friend who I ride with gave me a very bad review of the Aksium, just wondering if anyone else has had a bad experience with them. But then I like the idea of a hand-built PSIMET. Thoughts?

I had a set and then gave them to my wife. The Aksiums are a decent wheel. They seem to go out of true easier than Ksyriums, but keep in mind a $250 wheelset is a $250 wheelset. You can't ask the world of them.

Campy Vento is a nice, solid wheel... Under $300 at PBK.

edit... $227, just checked.

I put about 1800 miles on a set of 2010 Aksium Race wheels before the rear wheel needed truing. I'm about 200 lbs. I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think the wheel just gradually came out of true; rather, I think I must have run it over at least one bump/divot/crack in the road/etc. I don't advocate gambling, but I'd be willing to wager that was the case, and had I been more careful, the wheel would still be true. The guys at my LBS characterize the Aksiums as "bomb-proof."

At the time I took the rear wheel to my mechanic for truing, I upgraded to a set of new Ksyrium Equipes I got off eBay for $190 or so. I have about 400 miles on the Ksyriums now.

I have not noticed any real difference between the two wheelsets. I'd still be riding the Aksiums if I hadn't gotten a good deal on the Equipes.

I just went through the same thing as zippy, had aksiums for about 1500 miles and then got some equipes of the fleabay for 200. Unlike zippy I did notice a subtle difference, my front aksium had an ever so slight wobble at high speeds and I feel like there is less rolling resitance on the equipes. I would say ebay it up and get yourself some equipes...

I had a set of Aksiums on a IBEX Aprisa team w/ full ultegra and they were great. Little on the heavy side, not a racing wheel and tough wheel. As the above posts says, don't xpect too much for $250.00. Had 1300 miles on them before I sold the bike on ebay.

I had Titans on my old bike and really liked them. Very solid and appeared to be very well built. I have a budget higher than the Titans and thought the Aksiums would be an upgrade. But the weights are the same and both have bladed spokes. $250 seems to be the going rate for them. I also have a good quote for a PSIMET set. I'm no racer, just want something solid that's not going to need truing every week.

I have a set of Aksiums on my cross bike that take alot of abuse and don't seem to do to bad. I do need to true them once a month, but they do take some bad abuse. I'm 145lb. but I have hit some serious stuff at high speed and havent broken anything yet.

Aksiums came on my bike and they were a solid wheelset. Put about 1,000 miles on them before i swapped them out. Sturdy wheelset but a bit heavy for me.

After a lot of research, I'm really not excited about anything in this price range. I've decided to wait a little, save some more and look for something around $400-500. I really like the Soul S3.0 customized with blue nipples and white stickers.

Yeah, a solid wheelset in that price range is gonna make your rides more enjoyable. I don't fault your wanting a wheelset in that price neighbourhood.

A good wheelset, after the frame itself, is the next most important piece affecting ride quality positively on a road bike in my opinion.

While you are waiting, it's also not a bad idea to check Craigslist regularly. I see that you are in San Diego, and that is a good road cycling city, thus you finding a good used wheelset at a nice price.

What are your expectations? If you want a wheelset for a year then plan on upgrading, Aksiums are fine. If you want a wheelset that you can buy and forget about, get some handbuilts from a good builder.

I bought a handbuilt wheelset from a local shop several years ago. I had them trued and inspected for the first time in April. They have over 22K miles and should be fine for another couple years.

What I am looking for is:

1. A durable set of wheels that I can ride and forget about. DOn't want to have to true them up every week.
2. Under 1700g. I'm not a weight weenie, but for $400 there are a lot of options that weigh a lot less than that.
3. Must be all black, preferably customizable. Would like to have some blue in it. No red. White logo stickers are cool.

I'm looking at Soul, PSIMET and Neuvation so far.

http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/m...30mm_alloy.jpg

http://www.boydcycling.com/alloy/Rouleur.html

Ooooohhh! Me likey! This is now #1 on my list. A fourth thing I am looking for is a quiet rear hub. I can't STAND loud, clicky rear hubs. How do these sound?

I would've gotten this instead of the Soul S4.0's had I known about it sooner:

http://www.prowheelbuilder.com/h-plu...im-cx-ray.html

My avg jumped from 19-20 on my windy 30 mile ride to the beach once I got the S4.0's. I "upgraded" from Mavic R-sys front and Ksyrium SL Premium rear.

I like the SOUL S3.0 better than the 4. My only concern about SOUL is that they are made in Singapore and have a long lead time.

Sad to say... they are "clicky" when you coast.

If they use the same hubs as the carbon clinchers Boyd sells they will be loud. I have his 50mm carbon wheels and they scream when you coast.

I've used Aksiums since 2008. I'm 200 lbs and these wheels were perfect for me. In 2010 I had a crash and bought 2010 Aksiums. The 2010 model are a touch lighter than the previous ones. The 2008s never went out of true, but the 2010 model I had to get the front wheel trued BUT only coz I went into pot hole VERY hard.

I also bunny hop on my wheels regularly and they've never been a problem. I got 8000 miles out of the 2008 model before crashing, and I currently have 4000 miles on the 2010s. I had my eyes on Ksyriums but because I commute more than anything else, I prefer the cheaper price of Aksiums.

You should totally contact Psimet though. The reviews around here of his wheels are great and he's very knowledgeable about his stuff.

EDIT: wrt rear hub noise, I think they're certainly not quiet like on my other bike (which is crazy silent) but not as loud as campy. Ps - sorry, didn't realize the thread had moved on from aksiums..

Neuvation uses quiet hubs. Boyd not so much. Personally I like loud hubs because they can be used to warn people you're coming.