Price Paid:  $2000.00

Favorite Ride:
cioc

Summary:
i have a set of heliums with new rims and destroyed! the rear rim, rear does not stay true mainly due to the dish of the wheel creates one side to be weaker in tension thus creating a constant trueing of the wheel every 20 miles garunteed, the front wheel is fikkin awesome though and spin nice. my recommendation is to NOT get these at all! there worse than my crappy fsa wheels. those french guys lol

Strengths:
they look good hanging on the wall of my garage

Weaknesses:
rear wheel is poop!

Similar Products Used:
ksyrium sl3 and cosmos

Price Paid:  $800.00

Favorite Ride:
rolling hills

Bike Setup:
cinelli proxima ultegra

Summary:
l have had no problem with mavic stuff in the past (bomb proof), BUT these wheels where the greatist let down l have ever had when buyong bike equipment.
Every ride or race they would go out of true
taking about 20-30 miles to do so.
Stong wheels these are not. l way 185lb an dont mind a sprint which l could do on these, once before trueing.
Since using these wheels l have refused to
buy any wheels bellow 32 spoke count because l couldn't afford to replace the wheeels should they not work.
It is know 2007 and l can get a wheel built that is the same weight or less in a clincher so l happy with that.
There should have been a recall by mavic or a directive to dealers that they should not have been sold to large riders with power who like to race.
l would not buy one of mavics low spoke count wheels with out visual proof that they are strong and can last.
Shame mavic Shame.

Strengths:
-light
-look good

Weaknesses:
-weak
-dealers and mavic sold these wheels knowing
that they would not work for some riders]
-shouldn,t there be a code of ethics for this type of thing?

Similar Products Used:
cd2 with mavic dakar hubs
cpx14 ultrgra hubs all 32 spoke count

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Performance Cycle

Summary:
Bought wheels with complete bike new in 2000. Amazing wheels. Worried about how well they'd stand up over time given my weight (180) but they've been incredible. They go forever with little truing. Can't beat them. Finally started delaminating after 7 years of use.

Strengths:
Durability, lightness, strength, lack of maintenance

Weaknesses:
????

Similar Products Used:
Various Mavic wheels

Price Paid:  $155.00 at e-bay

Favorite Ride:
Jay Peak, Vt

Bike Setup:
Good ol' Specialized Allez Comp circa 1993, with Shimano 105.

Summary:
I have a set of tubular Velomax Orion II I use for commuting and for short rides. I never had a flat on tubulars but, always wary of getting one hours away from home (this would mean a long walk back!) I wanted a set of good solid lightweight clinchers for longer rides. The old heliums are just that king of wheels. Light (claimed weight is 1635gr for the set, only 130gr more than the Orions), solid and true, it seems these will last forever. Good climbers, not affected by lateral winds, they are wheels you can depend on. Best of all, you can get them for next to nothing on ebay or from fellow riders who think they must ride on the newer models.

Strengths:
Put them on and forget about them.

Weaknesses:
One may not like the red anodising...

Similar Products Used:
ZIPP 303 tubulars, Velomax (Easton) Orion II, Velocity AeroHead with SpeedCific hubs, older Mavic Open4CD with Shimano 105 hubs.

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at Race Pace

Favorite Ride:
Klein Attitude

Bike Setup:
real nice.... :0

Summary:
My helium wheelset has lasted three whole years and I have never once trued them. True, I am 140lbs climber type but once I road a flat for a mile home and the rim and sidewalls where perfect.
Mavic makes the best wheels, although campys stuff is pretty good too.

Strengths:
Noticably Light.

Weaknesses:
Flex a little under hard sprint efforts

Similar Products Used:
mavic cosmic, campy proton