Hey STers, I need some advice.
I often drool looking at the xxx bike pics many of you post…someday I’ll be able to afford one too. But for now, I’ve saved to upgrade my wheels (currently stock shimano…1885g…gross) I’ve done a lot of homework and know my stuff decently. But I’m wondering if buying wheels off of craigslist is a stupid idea. I would not be able to afford either of these at a shop, and would have to settle for the next tier down. Thoughts? I’m looking at:
What are you using them for? If for everyday use the Ksyrium’s are a nice wheel, a few friends have complaints about the nipple and spoke seizing but otherwise a good all round wheel.
Seeing as this is a triathlon forum I’ll assume you want them for that in which case why are you even considering the Ksyrium…the Easton isnt very deep either but better then nothing.
Not knowing you riding habit’s/style, your size and your strength I will make a bold statement and say since you are asking and you dont have one of those XXX bike’s you are fairly new and with that buy the next tier down wheel or a used wheel that is in great shape. Older Zipp 404’s, flash points, or one of the many aero wheels HED has produced over the years will do you fine. Look around and you will find some in your price range, I know because I have sold or seen bought by friends all of the above for the price you are looking at.
I had the Kysrium SLs on my road bike and just didn’t like the feel of them. When I picked up new wheels for my Tri bike I sold the Kysriums and put my Easton Vistas on my road bike. They’re definitely more aero and I just prefer the feel.
I have some Ksyriums (from a few years ago) and they are fairly light, very strong and pretty slow. I’ve put a ton of miles on mine, I don’t think I’ve ever trued them and now use them for my cyclocross wheels. They’re ok for training and maybe crits but I’d never race them in a tri or TT. In my opinion they are too expensive for wheels that aren’t very aero.
You mightwant to look at Neuvatons. You can get some bargains right now on some good value all around wheels.
Ksyriums are bombproof training wheels. I love them for that, but would never race on them.
If you are going to race on the new wheels aero trumps weight big time. Spend $100 to get a WheelBuilder cover for the rear and get a used 60mm flashpoint or similar on the front. $650 can also find you a set of used H3s on eBay.
i like my mavics a lot - SLs, got them new from lickton bikes for not all that much more than your craig’s list wheels.
they’re light and they’re sturdy. i’ve got a few thousand miles on them and haven’t had to true them yet.
they’re not aero, and they don’t make good tri racing wheels.
i had the easton vistas before. heavier, yet far less sturdy.
Wow, thanks for all your great advice!..Yep, your bold statement is right about me being fairly new (to cycling). I don’t have the $$$ to have separate sets of training and racing wheels (gotta keep saving for that xxx bike), so I’m looking for something versatile enough to train and race in. I don’t think the aero advantage of deeper rims is of much consequence right now: my aero position consists of riding in the drops and trying to kiss my stem. Nonetheless, I would like to have a wheel that cuts the wind well and that won’t look hideously out of place once I do get that dreamy bike. This being my first full season, I’m racing mostly oly, maybe a HIM at the end.
From what most of you are saying, it doesn’t sound like the Mavics are worth the extra cash, other than being durable as a trojan. I went to a shop and checked out the rear hub yesterday afternoon. Certainly doesn’t have the same silky feel as the eastons. And those rims are uncomfortably shallow. So I think I’ll go with those and spend the saved money on a cut-out saddle (please god no more numbness!). All your comments are very helpful. Thanks a lot!
Lots of options to choose from, including an “aero” deeper aluminum rim (aero in quotes because the aero properties of a relatively shallow aluminum rim are debatable). $240 for the “aero” set.
Also $240 for Ultegra hub/Mavic Open Pro…THAT is a great deal on wheels that will serve you well for as long as you want to ride a bike.
Here’s another vote for Neuvation! They’re cheap, well-built, and the company is super-honest. They’re really worthwhile, and will probably give you just as much performance as these wheels for a much more reasonable price.
That said, if you’re hard set on two options, the Eastons are really solid wheels. I swear by Eastons, because I’ve put about 12,000 miles on them over the past year and a half. They’re great. They stay true, they’re light, the hubs are solid, and they’re pretty aero. They’re responsive and stiff. Some of the best wheels I’ve ridden, but you pay for the name.
I have all sorts of wheels, including various Easton sets. I recently bought a set of American Classic 420s for an aero set of training wheels. Aside from my “A” race wheels, I would ride these for everything. Silkly smooth, aero, and light. I bought them new/used (never ridden) off E-bay for $500. You should try to find a similar deal on these wheels. They are awesome and you would not be disappointed.
If your just wanting wheels to get wheels that look semi cool and the money is burning a hole in your pocket then buy whatever…but if you really want the best bang for your buck you’d be better off waiting until you can afford a better wheel set. But if you are in dire need of new wheels I’m with TriBriGuy…Mavic Open Pros are the way to go. I ride those (32 hole) for trainers and beat the hell out of them…the beauty is they are light enough at 1600 grams that if I want to climb or do a fast group ride I’m not suffering any major loss. Are they aero…no…but neither are either of the wheels you are looking at. Just my opinion.
I actually have both of those wheels - 2004 vintage Ksyrium SL SSCs with over 20K and now my cross wheels. So, ah, yeah - pretty durable. My roadie training wheels are now the Easton EA90 TTs and they are great. Super stiff, smooth, and … aero? Probably not much (31mm rim isn’t very deep, but the low spoke count and trick front hub can’t hurt), but I’m on a Soloist Carbon as well since I believe in maximizing “aero” if at all possible (90 front/disc rear tri ;))
For $500, it would be pretty hard to beat those Eastons, including Neuvation. Save up for some real race wheels though (i.e. 60mm or so carbon tubulars at least). Ride hard!
haha, thanks for that greg!..I’m definitely a function over form person, so I don’t really care too much about how my wheels look…looking cool won’t (always) make me faster. I see what you’re saying about saving for a better set. Mavic has a lotta cache as a pretty high profile company and it seems like you might pay for it. When I originally posted, I had this caution in mind. Seems like I could get similar mid-range performance out of neuvations or special builds…maybe not as durable, but I’m no pro.
The money’s definitely not burning a hole right now. Spending anything over $500-$600 on wheels brings diminishing returns on the roadie that I’m currently riding. I want to keep the cost low so that I can continue saving for that xxx bike, but still race decently in the mean time. I made it to the podium today riding my roadie, and I could tell those borrowed eastons were an enormous help over my stock shimanos. But I still got blown away by all the aero dudes on the bike leg…even with 808s I’d still be slow (relatively) on my current bike, so I’ve gotta keep saving for a race bike. Getting new wheels now is sort of to tie me over.