Description The EA90 SLX wheel set is for the rider/racer that refuses to compromise. Features include: New Gen 4 front/rear specific rims, Sapim™ double-butted stainless steel spokes, and new silky smooth R4 hub...
Summary: When I bought these wheels I was looking for as many aero features I could get in a 1300 to 1400 gram aluminum Clincher. These wheels have fit that bill and performed flawlessly from day one. They are snappy on the climbs. When downhill speeds get up in the coasting range I am always near the front of the pack. At 200 pounds with approxiamtely 2,000 maintenance free miles, I can say they are well built too. I have since bought a set of Easton EA90 Aero clinchers which are equally impressive for speed in the flats.
Strengths: Good Aero performace in a lightweight clincher. Well engineered and built wheel from a reputable manufacturer.
Weaknesses: I notice that the front wheel will vibrate a bit when I take bumps at high speed. My EA90 Aero's don't do that.
Similar Products Used: Ksyrium SL, Richey Deep Section
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Summary: Very impressive wheels! I have riden a number of Easton / Velomax wheels and the SLX are by far the nicest looking and riding set. For a low spoke count wheelset, they seem pretty strong and are wicked light.
Strengths: Light, look fresh and clean, great adjustable hubs with nice bearings, Sapim spokes, easy to mount Michelin Pro 3 tires by hand
Weaknesses: break track slightly narrow compared to Ksyriums (all Mavic rims)
Eastons customer service is sub-par
Similar Products Used: Velomax / Easton Circuit, Orion, Tempest
Ksyrium SSC, Ksyrium SL, Rolf Sestrieres, a number of differect Open Pro wheelsets
Summary: These wheels are amazingly smooth to ride on. Rolling resistance is non existent. Not only are they light for going uphill but the profile and double gauge spokes (not bladed or oval) seem to have less resistance so going downhill and flat riding are also easier. This may have something to do with the Attack/force tyre setup aswell.
These aren't the lightest wheels out there but they are probably the smoothest.
The wheels feel quite stiff considering their lack of spokes, mind you I am not really a sprinting beast and I weigh less than 80kg. Bigger riders should probably look at the EA90 SL for extra strength.
Strengths: Light
Strong
Unbelievably smooth!
Low side profile so ideal for crosswind time trials.
Weaknesses: Not suited to heavy riders.
Similar Products Used: Cheap shimano rims.
Campag.
Mavic.
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Bike Setup: Trek Madone 5.9 with full Dura-Ace + SRAM Force Carbon crank
Summary: what can I say - I was eager to test the wheels as I got them installed so I got out late for an hour and a half.
My first impression from this short ride is very good and i can say I am shocked i have been riding the 'race lite' till now.
first things you notice:
1) acceleration from standing is MUCH faster.
2) you don't feel bumps in the road as much.
3) you know the feeling that you get to a hill and the bike starts slowing? this moment comes much later into the hill.
4) you can get up in the middle of the hill and give a few good pushes and the wheels react instantly.
5) I did a new route and I was working pretty hard - it didn't seem like a big uphill but i was going at a decent pace. only once I turned around i realized i was climbing steadily all the way (I don't have the data as my memory filled on the Polar) but on the way down i was flying.
6) and then came the most major shock - I got to the flats and I could really go much faster easily. so I thought 'Oh yeah you probably have the wind in your back' so I tried all 4 directions - same thing - there was no wind and I was easily going quite faste than the usual. And the fun part is that every light after coming to a stop, accelerating again to that speed was so quick.
I still don't have a reference to a ride that I already did but I will have on Monday once I go to work. anyways in general my first ride was very cool and i was wondering if i got into such shape so fast or is it the wheels (or is it all in my head...).
one note - it all wasn't that easy - i got to some climbs where i was struggling but that's because I'm not in shape yet. but even on those climbs getting up and pressing hard got results i couldn't get from the 'race lite'.
Strengths: 1) very fast acceleration.
2) very quick reactions.
3) very light for an aluminuim clincher.
4) roll very fast.
Weaknesses: I didn't find any yet but I have only ridden it once :-)
I will give it a couple of weeks now and put some more into the review.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager Race Lite, Rolf Vector Pro
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