I’m finally getting a new road bike (WooHoo!!) and I’m going through the component spec and am making a wheel choice. The choice is currently between the Campy Zonda and the Easton Orion II. The Orion is the same wheel as the Ascent II with a couple of extra spokes. What say you?
If you are running a Campy drivetrain, you want the Campy wheels, unless this has changed…
"Q. Are there plans to make Easton wheels compatible with Campagnolo drive trains?
Easton wheel systems already are.
For 10 Speed drive trains, you’ll need aftermarket cogs that fit on a Shimano cassette body (the spline patterns are different). And while some Campy purists recoil in horror of the thought of non-Campy parts on their bikes, we can assure you that the shifting is a flawless, no compromise solution. For more information, check out our Campy 10 page.
For 9 speed drive trains, simply use a Shimano 9 speed cassette. A minor rear derailleur barrel adjustment may be required when switching from a Campagnolo wheel, but that’s about it.
For Campagnolo 8 speed drive trains, you simply use Shimano cogs with different spacers. The spacer kits are readily available, inexpensive, and work flawlessly. The kits are available from any bicycle retailer or you can contact Wheels Manufacturing, Inc. at (303) 444-6586."
Campagnolo wheels are available with both Campag and Shimano free hub bodies - so it dosent matter which group set you are using as long as you ask for the right free hub. From my experience Campag wheels are amazingly reliable, fast and well built. Zonda are a great all round wheel and you cant go wrong. Nothing wrong with the Easton wheel set - just think that Campy are on top of the wheel game at the moment with reliability and putting out a first class product
went through the same decision recently on a new road bike - went for the all campy including the zonda, after 25hrs riding last week while in your neck of the woods I did not notice the wheels, which to me is a good thing. A couple of my club mates have had some problems with the Ascent and the Circuits which played a big part in my decision to go with the Zonda. What road bike are you getting, one from Ves by any chance?
What makes you ask that?? 
Yes, I am having Ves build me a road bike. After I bought my Yaqui a few years back I knew my next road bike had to be one of his. I’m pretty pumped. I’ve had my current road bike for 5 years and will continue to race it this year. But it’s just time for a new toy.
Now I’m just having a hard time keeping myself from dropping a load of cash on the Davo.
way to go, picked up my road bike from Ves last week and rode every day while I was down there. Rode with Swami and loved the company. The bike is everything I want from a road bike. Could not justify the Davo, went with the Sc /carbon, full chorus and zonda. Very happy with it. Enjoyed dealing with Ves very much. The wife has a Ves bike as well. Enjoy!
I’m sorry I missed you, I would have been on that ride but I was skiing in Mammoth. I would have definitely said something if I saw your ride.
Do you have Neutron as an option? If not…why not? With out the Neotron in the picture I still get the Campy wheels - awesome quality hub and freehub system.
Rode with Swami tue,thus and Sat. Also got to do the Wed am ride through the camp. Had a blast.
On the Sat ride got to ride with Brian (wears Squadra sponsored by Thomas Kemper Soda kit rides a silver TCR) who was also interested a Ves bike, infact we rode right past the shop on the way back from Escondido. He might be making a visit to Ves as well.
I am getting some pics for Julian and Khai, if interested pm me with your email
The Neutron is definitely an option. I like it because it has a higher spoke count, but it’s also touted as a climbing wheel. For some (probably baseless) reason I tend to equate that with delicate. Cost aside what do you think is a good Campy wheel for everyday riding and road racing for a guy arounde 200 lbs?
Neutron is not at all a wheel you would need to worry about. Record hubs, “diffrential” spokes (rear) and VERY solid. They are a bit lighter than the new Zonda (I am not at all a fan of the Zondas new Aluminum spokes either).
I have a shit ton of miles on my Neutrons - a buddy a ton on Protons - neither have had any issues (and he has crashed a number of times in Crits and what not).
Oh, and the Neutrons are my every day training wheels - I race on Zipps or Shamals.
I think any wheels with Campy Centaur or better hubs will be fine -so that’s the Zonda on up. If you want a tough as nails set of wheels for a big guy, consider the Eurus. You simply can’t go wrong with them. If you are interested in a super nice set of wheels at a price that won’t break the bank, look at some Velocity Aeroheads mated to Centaur hubs - I have a set of those, they are very nice. 32 spoke, 3x.
Finally, I have a set of Mavic Ksyriums, put a bazillion miles on them, purchased in January 2003, never had to true them.
Read somewhere that Maggie Backstaedt rode a stock pair at paris roubaix last year
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Neutrons are bullet proof. Am training on a pair on some of the worst roads you will find anywhere and have had them on for 18months with no broken spokes and have stayed completely true with hubs still in as new condition. Lets just say I am very unkind to these wheels and they are awesome…
Plus the low profile black finish on the Neutron looks understated yet purposeful
I know some boys that race in Europe and they reckon that Neutrons are the only light weight wheel they will use on cobbles in Belgium and yes Backstedt used stock wheels at Roubaix (was either Neutron or Euros) - so if at 92kg on cobbles with that kind of power output I reckon if he can’t break them then we will be fine!
…and having ridden Euros, Netron and Mavic Ksyium, Zipp, Shimano etc - the Campag wheels were WAY more reliable (in my opinion based on work needed over the lifespan of the wheel), both Eruos and Neutron are bullet proof…however if pushed I would say the Neutron spoke configuration makes them more forgiving over the rough stuff.
If you are fan of Campag wheel also check out Fulcrum wheels…basically same manufacturing and cheaper - my take on it is that Campag is releasing wheels under the Fulcrum brand to appeal to the wider (Shimano) audience.
I believe the new Zonda has steel bladed spokes; the aluminum spokes are reserved for the new Eurus. Similar to the Ksyrium/Ksyrium SL.
Go with the Campy wheels. I had a set of Zonda from '03 (I think) and LOVED them. Not the lightest wheelset, but man they felt fast. Nice hubs. My biggest reason for choosing the Campy’s over the Eastons is the braking surface. I personally think that the grooved machining process used on the Eastons is awful. The brakes just feel weak. It also causes a ton of black dust/crap to get all over the rims. The Campy braking surface is great- similar in quality to a Mavic clincher rim. They look sexy to boot.
Thanks Dave…now I want new wheels…
Thanks all for the feedback. The Neutrons are a $385 upcharge from the Zondas. I think the G3 spoke pattern on the Zonda’s look badazz. I kinda think it’s a gimmic. I like the higher spoke count on the Neutrons (16/21 for the Zondas and 22/24 for the Neutrons)