Buying new roadie wheels
Discussion
I'm after a new set of wheels and am now torn between two wheel-sets.
Both are Mavic's and they are the Ksyrium SL or Ksyrium SR. Both are superb wheels but I'm not sure if it's worth spending another £180 on the SR's, and there doesn't seem to be many reviews on the SR's.
Does anyone here have a set and what's their opinion on them? Worth the extra?
My primary needs are to have something that's very stiff and light as I do a lot of climbing. My current set of wheels weigh in at 2.3kg so they are rather heavy. The SL and SR's come in at 1.48 and 1.45 respectively so quite a bit lighter although so weight isn't an issue between the two options. It's mainly down to durability, strength and stiffness.
Both are Mavic's and they are the Ksyrium SL or Ksyrium SR. Both are superb wheels but I'm not sure if it's worth spending another £180 on the SR's, and there doesn't seem to be many reviews on the SR's.
Does anyone here have a set and what's their opinion on them? Worth the extra?
My primary needs are to have something that's very stiff and light as I do a lot of climbing. My current set of wheels weigh in at 2.3kg so they are rather heavy. The SL and SR's come in at 1.48 and 1.45 respectively so quite a bit lighter although so weight isn't an issue between the two options. It's mainly down to durability, strength and stiffness.
SL appears to be clincher only, SR seems to be clincher or tubs?? cant see much of a difference other than that although they both look fantastic. i'm not sure if i would be ahppy going down to 18 spokes at the front but i guess it depends on your weighta nd the roads in your area.
if you are going for tubs I would see what www.wheelsmith.co.uk can do for you first though. they are now using the planet x carbon rim (which weighs 250g) for ultralight builds and from memory its recommended for riders up to 90kgs so you could get them to build something seriously light with royce or novatec hubs and sapim spokes. you other option for handbuilts is the ambrosio excelights if you are a bigger chap...
http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/wheelinfo.htm
if you are going for tubs I would see what www.wheelsmith.co.uk can do for you first though. they are now using the planet x carbon rim (which weighs 250g) for ultralight builds and from memory its recommended for riders up to 90kgs so you could get them to build something seriously light with royce or novatec hubs and sapim spokes. you other option for handbuilts is the ambrosio excelights if you are a bigger chap...
http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/wheelinfo.htm
I haven't owned either, but I've ridden both. I came away wanting the SRs, but I'm fairly confident in saying the perceived difference between them was purely in my head. The SR did feel stiffer climbing out of the saddle, but that's what I went in expecting, knowing it was the 'better' wheel and had the bling spokes (though only on the non-driveside rear) and I prefered the look of them. But I argued that even if it's just in my head, that counts for something and goes someway toward justifying the extra.
The reality is there is likely no measurable difference between them as far as their effect on your riding goes and you could get wheels that are just as stong, stiff and light built up from any one of a dozen places online or froma reputable LBS for half the price. But factory wheels are appealing in that they're quick, easy, come with a factory warranty and have dealers throughout the world ready to help you out if you should have bother.
Both are supposed to be terrible as far as aero performance go, mind.
In the end, I've decided that the Dura Ace C24s are a better option in every regard, especially at £550 from Merlin.
The reality is there is likely no measurable difference between them as far as their effect on your riding goes and you could get wheels that are just as stong, stiff and light built up from any one of a dozen places online or froma reputable LBS for half the price. But factory wheels are appealing in that they're quick, easy, come with a factory warranty and have dealers throughout the world ready to help you out if you should have bother.
Both are supposed to be terrible as far as aero performance go, mind.
In the end, I've decided that the Dura Ace C24s are a better option in every regard, especially at £550 from Merlin.
The Shimano's certainly look the part but the reviews are once again very limited.
They are unfortunately out of stock pretty much everywhere but at £549, they look a steal and come just below the price bracket of the SL's.
I'll continue digging as there is no rush but I'm limited by the shops I have in my area. (Nothing here).
They are unfortunately out of stock pretty much everywhere but at £549, they look a steal and come just below the price bracket of the SL's.
I'll continue digging as there is no rush but I'm limited by the shops I have in my area. (Nothing here).
I have a set of Ksyrium SLs which I really love. They feel very stiff and accelerate well.
I have never seen the SRs and Im not sure the 40gram saving is worth the extra cost unless they somehow feel substantially better which I doubt.
Maybe some Fulcrum Zeros or Shimano C24 or RS80s if you are after off the shelf wheels
I have never seen the SRs and Im not sure the 40gram saving is worth the extra cost unless they somehow feel substantially better which I doubt.
Maybe some Fulcrum Zeros or Shimano C24 or RS80s if you are after off the shelf wheels
Edited by Oscar the Grouch on Wednesday 12th October 06:08
Oscar the Grouch said:
I have a set of Ksyrium SLs which I really love. They feel very stiff and accelerate well.
I have never seen the SRs and Im not sure the 40gram saving is worth the extra cost unless they somehow feel substantially better which I doubt.
Maybe some Fulcrum Zeros or Shimano C24 or RS80s if you are after off the shelf wheels
The weight between the two isn't the main concern here but I definitely appreciate your feedback on the SL's.I have never seen the SRs and Im not sure the 40gram saving is worth the extra cost unless they somehow feel substantially better which I doubt.
Maybe some Fulcrum Zeros or Shimano C24 or RS80s if you are after off the shelf wheels
Edited by Oscar the Grouch on Wednesday 12th October 06:08
From the little I've heard, the SR's are much stiffer due to the carbon spokes on the drive side of the wheel plus I've also heard it improves the stiffness of the wheel.
Gimmick? Who knows but one review I read mentioned the guy knew the wheel was the meant to be the superior of the two and he had it in his head it was a better and he's not quite sure how much he trusted that!
With regards to the C24's, I've been hunting around for them since they were mentioned on here. All decent priced stockists are totally out and I've been told Shimano no longer makes the 7900 model and they are unlikely to get any more in stock.
I have a set of SLs which I use on my winter bike. They're great. Light, responsive and bomb proof. I have heard lots of horror stories about obtaining and fitting carbon spokes in the event you snap one and for that reason I would avoid them.
I also have a set of C24s and would say they are better wheels than the SLs. Lighter, feel just as strong, better build quality, and I know from experience that Shimano hubs will run forever.
I also have a set of C24s and would say they are better wheels than the SLs. Lighter, feel just as strong, better build quality, and I know from experience that Shimano hubs will run forever.
Uriel said:
http://www.bike-palast.com/en/Racebike/Wheelsets/S...
http://www.jedi-sports.de/product_info.php/info/p3...
Cheers for that. Unfortunately one won't deliver to Gibraltar and the other seems to have a problem with their payment system....and they haven't returned the email I sent to them.... http://www.jedi-sports.de/product_info.php/info/p3...
Something is working against me today!
Good news chaps! I've literally just placed an order on CRC for a pair of C24's along with some Michelin Pro 3 tyres and ultra light tubes! 
Best of all it came in at £525 for the wheels as I don't pay VAT to Gib, however I'll have to pay 6% duty to customs on arrival. Very pleased and will post a review as soon as they arrive.
Cheers for the feedback. Your suggestions swayed me towards the C24's. You really can't be Shimano quality!
Out of curiosity, do these wheels come with wheel bags?
Best of all it came in at £525 for the wheels as I don't pay VAT to Gib, however I'll have to pay 6% duty to customs on arrival. Very pleased and will post a review as soon as they arrive.
Cheers for the feedback. Your suggestions swayed me towards the C24's. You really can't be Shimano quality!
Out of curiosity, do these wheels come with wheel bags?
beanbag said:
Good news chaps! I've literally just placed an order on CRC for a pair of C24's along with some Michelin Pro 3 tyres and ultra light tubes!
Best of all it came in at £525 for the wheels as I don't pay VAT to Gib, however I'll have to pay 6% duty to customs on arrival. Very pleased and will post a review as soon as they arrive.
Cheers for the feedback. Your suggestions swayed me towards the C24's. You really can't be Shimano quality!
Out of curiosity, do these wheels come with wheel bags?
They should come with wheel bags, yes. I've got C24's on my race bike - fantastic wheels. You've got yourself a great set of wheels there. Best of all it came in at £525 for the wheels as I don't pay VAT to Gib, however I'll have to pay 6% duty to customs on arrival. Very pleased and will post a review as soon as they arrive.
Cheers for the feedback. Your suggestions swayed me towards the C24's. You really can't be Shimano quality!
Out of curiosity, do these wheels come with wheel bags?
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