slowride454

OK, so I was waiting for my bike fit appointment and was looking at wheels. The LBS had a set of dealer demo - Mavic Ksyrium Equipe S wheels in white for $325. This is much lower than I've seen them online. After talking with the owner of the LBS and the bike fitter, they both said the Mavic wheels would be a huge upgrade over my current set. My bike is a 2011 Specialized Roubaix SL2 which originally came with a set of slow and heavy Mavic CXP wheels. I took the wheels off my Nashbar Famous Maker which seemed to be much lighter and rolled very smoothly. The wheels are Alex A-Class ALX630s. I can't find much info about these wheels in particular online, besides they are light. https://www.cycleway.cn/aclass-alx630-road-wheelset

I've got about 2000 miles on them running both Conti Gatorskin 28s and Specialized Roubaix 25s with little issue after replacing the rim tape. They are still true and seem to roll well.

Here is why I am asking. I am a clyde. I've been as high as 275# and am around 230# now. My goal is 210 and to stay there. I am not a strong rider (I can do short bursts of 800W, and can maintain 300W for about 5 minutes at a time). I tend to favor distance rides like centuries and such. Our roads in Wisconsin are rough. I am concerned with the low spoke count 20F/24R.

My commuter has a custom set of bombproof wheels which I love, but they are heavy. So are the Mavics going to be an upgrade even though they weigh considerably more? Am I too heavy for both wheels?

I've attached pictures of my bikes. You can see the wheels are low spoke count and low profile. The wheels on my gold commuter are 36H H Plus Son 42mm deep monsters.

jtwilson

I would generally contend that Mavic > Alex. The increased weight of the Mavics is not going to really slow you down at this point. The spoke count is the same, and I would imagine they will be a more robust overall wheelset with a higher quality build and better hubs. I would go for it. I don't think you are too heavy for the wheels.

unionmade

I'd at least check with a custom builder, who should be able to get you into a set of hand built wheels for somewhere near $4-500. I'm a Clyde (195-215) and Rob set me up with a sweet set. Www.psimet.com

Bah Humbug

That's the first time I've seen someone say something positive about Alex wheels.

slowride454

my GT mountain bike has Alex rims laced to GT hubs. I have no issues at all, even after a Stan's tubeless conversion. The guys at the LBS were really pushing the quality of the bearings.

slowride454

I'll go back to the LBS soon and see if they still have the wheels. Seems odd that the most of the time overpriced Mavics sell for so much less ($550 list) than the Alex wheels($850) I have and are light years better. In this case I guess you don't get what you pay for.

seymour1910

These are Clyde friendly with good hubs and a nice price tag.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Built-S...item4d0a4714a7

Clipped_in

Dang, if the build quality is any good those are a great value. ...And definitely bombproof! I'd definitely take them over the Ksyrium Equipe's. The hubs on the Ksyriums are pretty cheesy IMO.

seymour1910

I am a Clyde at 6' 225# and I have set of these. They are solid, I love the 105 hubs, they came out the box straight and true and remain that way. I thought it was to good to be true until I did more research on this company, from what I found they are a reputable, family owned business. Shipping was fast and FREE as well.

merlinextraligh

Psimet.

seymour1910

agreed, but I think some of you are ignoring OP's budget. I like Robs work as well, but none of the quotes I got were anywhere near this price for a Clyde build.

squatchy

I wouldn't touch a wheel with that spoke count for a clyde