Read mixed reviews on the SLS wheels - anyone care to share their experience with these wheels?
Damn good. Really good. OEM on my Cannondale evo hi mod. Light, strong, can’t imagine a mixed review. What were the negatives? FWIW, work really nicely with 25mm tires.
Had a set of SL’s in the past and they were great (from what I knew of wheels at the time). Lately I have seen some bad reviews on the latest SLS model re: durability (spokes and rims).
Still trying to decide between SLS or Elite S (would be nice to save $, but also don’t want to look back and wish I had gone a bit higher end).
I’ve got those Elite’s as OEM on my Cannondale Super X. Big difference, get the SLS’s.
They were going for really sweet deals over the winter. Sub $1k I think?
As a matter of fact, the Elite’s flexed on me to the point where the rear deraillier cage caught spokes on the rear in a big-big sprint situation and I destroyed a deraillier, hanger, chain, slightly bent spokes, lots o scratches and thankfully that was it. Yes I know the chain in big-big isn’t too smart but it happens.
By contrast, the SLS’s are noticeably stiff and the subtle details are really good. Those are my experiences!
SLS and SL are really nice wheels.
Lightweight, durable and spinup fast. Also Mavic wheels are setup for 9-10-11 out of the box.
Cat 2 racer / 135lbs. I’ve got a pair of both the SLS and the Elite. I’ve got more than 10,000mi in the SLS without having to touch them. They’ve seen all kinds of weather. I only have about 1000mi into the Elites but given the success I’ve had with the SLS, I should probably swap them out for the SLS and sell the Elites.
I’ve been running my SL’s wheels for 5 years and they have never gone out of true. I would buy them again in a heartbeat.
The SLS had a bit of a problem in the 2013-14 models where production issues caused a lot of quality problems, especially with breaking spokes. From what my LBS said, the issue has been corrected in the 2015 production runs.
Read mixed reviews on the SLS wheels - anyone care to share their experience with these wheels?
Are I on roadbikereview or something? Ksyrium SLS wheels are horrendous box rims with abysmal aerodynamics. Are you really going to pay $1,100 for training wheels (that’s already being generous)? On top of that, their spokes are PROPRIETARY.
All the people posting affirmative responses need to get their ST card revoked.
All the people posting affirmative responses need to get their ST card revoked.
They spin up fast, but do they hold the speed?
One of the least aero wheelsets you can buy. Durability doesn’t look too hot either. http://www.competitivecyclist.com/mavic-ksyrium-sls-clincher-wheelset
Maybe R-SYS would be better? Er, maybe not…
The photo is when they made a composite spoke, not sure what it was called. The ksyrium SL has an alloy bladed spoke. The pro is that it is a highly durable and light wheel. I have a pair from 2008 with 13000 miles of rough road riding and I have never trued them.
The con is the rear freehub needs frequent cleaning and lubrication.
The second con is they are one of the least aerodynamic wheels in existance.
I would recommend looking at campagnolo wheels via purchase from wiggle. You get better hub quality, just as light, more aero wheels, that are just a durable. They are available for shimano / sram and campy hubs.
The photo is when they made a composite spoke, not sure what it was called.They still make and use carbon fiber spokes on the SLR wheels: http://www.mavic.us/wheel-tyre-system/tracomp
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I don’t get the point of a $1,000+ wheelset with a box rim and crappy aerodynamics (must be the triathlete in me). Personally I’ve been using a set of shimano rs80-c50 (now rs81-c50) that cost me under $1,000 with no problems. They have an alloy rim with a carbon fairing (50mm) so have all the braking of a standard wheel. They have an ultegra hub and are alot more aero than the ksyriums, for the $1,000 you are looking at I think there are alot better wheel options. Maybe a second hand set of wheels for the same price might be better value for money.
Slowtwitchers, as I live and breathe, being the first to respond to the OP w mega praise for the wheels (disclaimer, I’m a bike racer and runner, therefore to put a lot of miles on a box type rim and enjoy the ride). When I got home to hop up and ride, down the road I go and pop goes a rear spoke! I couldn’t believe it. My LBS’s are crazy busy and I didn’t want to bother them for a small order item so I found replacements on Rougemechanic via the 'net. Geez, what timing.
I would recommend looking at campagnolo wheels via purchase from wiggle. You get better hub quality, just as light, more aero wheels, that are just a durable. They are available for shimano / sram and campy hubs.
If you want to go with a factory build, then Campy/Fulcrum and Shimano are tough to beat.
I don’t get the point of a $1,000+ wheelset with a box rim and crappy aerodynamics (must be the triathlete in me). Personally I’ve been using a set of shimano rs80-c50 (now rs81-c50) that cost me under $1,000 with no problems. They have an alloy rim with a carbon fairing (50mm) so have all the braking of a standard wheel. They have an ultegra hub and are alot more aero than the ksyriums, for the $1,000 you are looking at I think there are alot better wheel options. Maybe a second hand set of wheels for the same price might be better value for money.
Campy Zondas from wiggle are 370 a pair, weigh 1550 grams per set, and have record quality hubs. For training wheels that is the single best value on the planet. The Euros which are more comparable to the Ksyrium Sls are around 800. I dont know that much about shimano