Mavic Aksium

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I had to return mine at ~400 miles after the rear hub catastrophically locked up while road riding. Almost recked me too! Ruined my chain and chain ring.

Strengths:
These are strong wheels and were satisfactory until the malfunction. They were inexpensive: good for my commuter Surly.

Weaknesses:
Need special blades if you have to fix the wheel. They really catch the wind--quite audible at higher speeds. And the hubs are flimsy. Too bad. I have had great experience with Mavic wheels in the past over great and difficult distances.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Calabazas Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere...anytime

Bike Setup:
2007 CAAD9 built up at my LBS with 105 components.

Summary:
Mavic Aksium's are wonderful wheels for commuting or recreational riding. Strong and forgiving, they keep true despite bad roads or hard charging. They feel steady at speed going down respectable hills and roll reasonably well. I am a conservative rider (never rolled faster than 45mph) who weighs 215lb. I have put 3k+ miles in a year and a half of riding. I finally felt a wobble going down a 6.7 mile hill significant enough to warrant a return to the LBS for truing. Sure, I want to purchase a lighter set of wheels. But for my everyday riding, these are more than fine.

Strengths:
Strong and reliable. Some have mentioned flexing, but I have not found that to be a significant issue. Easy to fix, with spokes easily available and inexpensive. Decent price for the pair.

Weaknesses:
Heavy at 2K+ grams for the set. No "Wow!" factor when stopped next to exotic bikes. Does not make cappuchino.

Price Paid:  $250.00 at lbs

Favorite Ride:
one with a beer at the end

Bike Setup:
carrerra estremo, sram red, mavic aksium

Summary:
bought as training wheels on recommendation of lbs. i am 90kgs and these wheels have been impressive. no major issues after about 5000kms. stayed true and the sealed bearings are quiet and roll forever. look good too! freewheel click is a bit noisy(if you're worried by things like that)

Strengths:
price, durability, looks

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
mavic open pro, fulcrum 7

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Dasia Sport, Haarlem

Favorite Ride:
Puig Major, Mallorca

Bike Setup:
Bianchi Via Nirone, Shimano 105 group, Continental GP 4000, Specialized Toupé saddle, and now Mavic Aksium wheels

Summary:
After breaking my rear wheel (cheap 28 spoke Ambrosio rim) in Liège-Bastogne-Liège I needed a new allround wheelset.
I decided to try out Mavic Aksiums from 2008, based on price-quality ratio. Getting Continental GP 4000s on them was a bit of a hassle, but now they are in place and I have tried everything out I gotta say: these wheels ride MUCH better and smoother than my other wheels.
I had the impression that they cut through the air with greater ease than the Ambrosios. It almost felt like I wasn't driving on wheels but on air. The wheels also feel sturdy and solid.
I'm very happy with these Mavic Aksiums and hope to enjoy them for a long time.

Strengths:
Sturdy, solid built, price and looks (black rims on a celeste Bianchi)

Weaknesses:
Hard getting Conti GP 4000s on, no long-term experience

Similar Products Used:
Ambrosio wheelset (can't recall the type)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at REI

Bike Setup:
Specialized Sequoia
Ultegra group

Summary:
I am a large rider about 225 Lbs and have had problems with rear wheels before. The Aksium wheel stayed true and road well. But after 2,750 miles the first spoke broke. I replaced it and the wheel is keeping its true again.
The rear

Strengths:
Stays True

Weaknesses:
One broken Spoke

Similar Products Used:
Shimano WH540(very bad)