Low End Wheelsets

Guest

I currently run Mavic Open Pros with 105 hubs and bouble butted (probabaly Sapin) spokes (36, 3 cross). I know this makes a pretty sturdy wheel, but am looking for something lighter and if possible, more aerodynamic. Since I want to keep things cheap as much as possible, I am looking at the Mavic Cosmos or the Shimano R535 wheelset. How do these compare to the Ksyrium? The Ks have a pretty steep price though. Any opinions on the wheelsets mentioned above would be appreciated.  

Hmmm, or should I just keep my OPs? ???

Vo2

I've also contemplated lighter wheels. The problem is that, if you are on a tight budget, training AND racing with them becomes risky in my opinion. I would keep the current OP's for training and maybe get myself a nice pair just for racing.

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Guest

The problem with my OPs is that they're not nice enough. I'm looking for a dual purpose wheelset. Cheap enough to train on, but trick enough to make my bike look fast.

Before you guys flame me, I know the most important 'change' should be the rider. But hey, who doesn't want a trick wheelset?

The OPs do their job well, but they don't do it in style. I want style baby! yeah!

Guest

These are quite trick, yet really cheap;
http://www.shimanocycling.com/Wheels/road/index.asp Scroll down to the WH-R535 Road Wheels

I brought pair today, gonna use 'em for training and club racing (when i'm fit enough) *

cheers!

Guest

Am actually considering getting a set just like yours, but am a bit doubtful about its durability. Also, its listed weight is much heavier than my currrent OP/105. However, the aero benefit may outweigh this. Have you gone for a ride with your new wheels? How did they compare to your old wheels?

Would liek to know more about their performance  ;D

Guest

I'll let you know what they are like once i pick them up, only ordered and payed for 'em yesterday. I'm hoping they come in this arvo  ;D

They should be quite strong, the only think that worries me is truing the wheel. With so few spokes it could be hard to get it nice and straight.

cheers!

Guest

im thinking of geting another wheel set as mine are not to fancy and dont look that cool any recomondations? also what are the mavic kyrysums like? and whats there price?

Guest

I've heard that Ksyriums are very tough wheels, and quite aero too. Well worth you rmoney they say. Ksyrium is Mavic's best (in my view anyway) wheelset. Here in teh Philippines, they are said to cost around P27,000, which is around $540 per pair.

BTW Nic, what are your current wheels and how are they laced?

Guest

I went out on them for a couple of hours yesterday morning, IMO they are quite good wheels for their price. They are nothing special, just a good alround wheel that can be used for training or club racing  etc... They feel alot better than my old campag shamals (indurian once used shamals)

If I only had 500AUD to spend on wheels i'd buy 'em again  ;D

BTW they look very cool  8)

cheers!

Guest

The Wheels i have now altweg are Mavic opens, shimano 105
how are they laced i dont kow  ;D , there is a pic of them on my bike in the 'Your Bike' threed

Guest

Nicholas: Hey, we use the same wheels! Pretty good set huh? Too bad they don't make the bike look fast! guess it's all up to us...until we can get a set of Ks.

Admin: How did the wheel hold up on potholes? I have heard that they easily get out of true...is this true?

Guest

I imagine they'd be very hard to true, any wheel with only 16 spokes will be like this though.

Mavics will be 100% better if you have the money and a once a week racing wheel  

cheers!

kbrady

Ksryiums are wonderful wheels, but either I had a fluke or they really are not made for somebody in the 195 lb. range. I actually cracked the wheels around 2500 miles. Stick with OP's and quit worry about what you look like...if you want to be fast...train harder :-)

JohnO

I've been riding a set of Rolf Vector Pro's for the past two years. They're as aero as a wheel can get (short of a disc), fairly light, and extremely strong. I now have two sets, neither has ever needed truing, both have taken some pretty good licks at one time or another. They can be had on ebay in the $300-350 range.

Oh, and they're VERY LOW spoke count. 14 spokes front, 16 rear, and bladed spokes. Spokes are paired very closely together, which was Rolf Dieter's invention. Definitely cool looking.

Disadvantages of the Vector Pros: very stiff ride. Spokes are expensive and hard to find, and the LBS has to do the truing, takes special wrenches. Freehub is noisy, if that bothers you.

Avoid the Vector Comp wheels, they're not in the same league.