Description The EA90 SL takes the best attributes of the EA90 SLX and adds a few more spokes to give increased lateral stiffness for the bigger, stronger rider. At only 60 grams more, the EA90 SL is a formidable ...
Bike Setup: 2007 Giant TCR, Ultegra everything, specialized Jett saddle (yes i know its womens but I like it dammit), Easton ea90SL wheels obviously, Hutchinson top speed tires (cheap but crap sidewalls)
Summary: Got these a couple months ago to replace the Aksiums that came on the bike. At ~2000 grams for a set the aksiums are pretty heavy, putting on the SL's seemed a good value way to hot up the bike a bit. couldnt believe how light these were pulling them out of the box, pretty sure the the SL rear with the casette on is lighter than the Aksium without. Build quality seems top notch, the joints are completely smooth and did not make a sound even on the first ride. The braking sucked for the first few hundred kms but now is fine. Skewers look really nice too and are way lighter than the aksiums.
These things really made a huge difference, went with the SL's over the SLX's being 6'4' 180lbs and because these would be an all around set. So I guess the riding impressions are gonna be pretty obvious.... these are really light feeling (accelerate quick) and really stiff, probably because of the highish spoke count. you really notice the stiffness and low rotating weight on steep hills and even more so out of the saddle, these really go and seem to be a great compromise between a racing and training wheelset; light enough to be full race wheel and almost as strong as a training set but waaaay lighter. Cant really comment on strength as I havent wacked anything yet but I tend to be pretty easy on wheels. Everything I have heard though is that these are really strong. I have heard that the downside to these is that more spokes = less aero to which i say come on its what, six skinny butted spokes over the SLX? besides my skinny calves make more of an aero difference than a few spokes. Besides, bladed spokes make a whirring sound at speed in a crosswind which to me sounds like wind resistance (my completely unscientific opinion), the regular butted spokes on the Eastons dont make a sound.
So if I had to find a downside to these is that they ride noticeably harsher than the aksiums and the shimano wheels I used to have on big bumps, but the stiffness advantage more than makes up for this plus i kind of assumed this would be the case when buying these.
Oh and I almost forgot, the freehub is pleasantly quiet and picks up really fast, and the front wheel spins pretty much forever and is completely silent. Nice.
Weaknesses: Stiff ride, but come on these are a strong, light, high spoke tension wheels with great stiffness and power transfer. Dont have the Euro Bling factor of Mavics.
Similar Products Used: Aksiums, Ksyriums, Shimano R something middle of the road wheels. 38 spoke training anchors but those arent really similar products are they.
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Bike Setup: Litespeed Siena with Ultegra, Ritchey WCS stem, FSA bars, Ritchey Pro seatpost, and an oh-so-fine San Marco Rolls saddle.
Summary: These wheels are for the big guys who want reasonably light wheels without sacrificing strength. I'm six one and 220 pounds. My EA90 SL's are solid and plenty stiff. They don't flex when I stand on the pedals or get wimpy when I lean into hard turns. The hubs are sweet and smooth.
Strengths: bombproof, great looking, you won't need a spoke wrench with Eastons
Weaknesses: none if you are a clydesdale
Similar Products Used: Easton Circuits, Mavic Open Pro, Mavic MA40s
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Summary: Upgraded to these after trading in my american classic 420. Being 6'5', 195lbs, i was getting too much flex in my wheels. Switched too these and immediately noticed the difference. Smooth, stiff, strong. Great for bigger riders.
Strengths: Strong, durable, sweet looking
Weaknesses: ???
Similar Products Used: american classic 420, krysriums, rolf prima aspin,..etc.
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