Mavic Ksyrium SL

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Atlanta,craigslist.o

Favorite Ride:
more hills than lakes in Rockdale county Geargia

Bike Setup:
2008 Cannondale System six - full ultegra 53/39 - 12-27

Summary:
These were a big upgrade for me. Coming from some Ritchey's(bricks)
I definatly noticed the direct reaction to me putting my foot into it. It's probably not fair that I got a wheel set that had less than a 1000 miles on them for this cheap. I was very patient.

Strengths:
light,stiff and aero

Weaknesses:
not the latest and greatest.(I'm on a budget)

Similar Products Used:
Fulcrum R1

Price Paid:  $660.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Lake De Valle

Summary:
bought wheelset off Ebay. Replaced my Easton SL Wheelset.

Strengths:
light weight!

Weaknesses:
Price!

Price Paid:  $850.00 at www.txcyclesport.com

Favorite Ride:
Anything hilly

Summary:
Pretty looking wheelset that is light and, I guess, stiff, with quick acceleration (though I suspect it's all the placebo effect). Extremely nifty looking carbon hub shell on the front wheel, and let's be honest, those single red spokes look good, too.
The problem with the wheels is that they are terribly, terribly expensive to repair. If you break these wheels, you cannot have them rebuilt for a reasonable price, if you can get them rebuilt at all. I cracked the front rim in a crash, leaving all the spokes and the hub in fine shape, and was told by my LBS that rebuilding the wheel would cost a minimum of 200$ and possibly 350$, and would have to be sent to a Mavic service center. After doing some research, it seems you simply cannot buy new rims for these wheels; Mavic keeps a tight fist on them and only trickles them out to licensed repair-persons. I am shifting over to a set of hand-built DT Swiss wheels that weigh less, are more aero, and are fully rebuildable by any shop, with standard spokes, rims, and hubs.

Strengths:
Bling. Name recognition. Also, apparently, high-performance.

Weaknesses:
Difficulty/expense of repair.

Similar Products Used:
2006 Ksyrium SSC SLs, Campagnolo Zonda, DT Swiss 340 handbuilts.

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Belle Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Felt F5C

Summary:
Having replaced my ALX 270 wheels via a recent birthday I have now had 3 rides on the Ksytium SL they look quite nice with my blue of my Felt F5C. I have found the improvement in top end speed on the flat and hills via higer gear selection noticeable as I am having to use the larger front cog much more often. Down hill for shorter runs is not all that different but on the recent Loop the Lake I found the longer hills there was a very big difference in top end speed. There is a differnt feel about the ride as well which I am still getting use to (smoother). I was concerned that the larger spoke may be a source of noise or side wind resistance but to date neither are an issue. A unfotunate issue is the plating on the spokes may be a bit soft as I have aalready chipped the black of a few spots on the front wheel from road rubbble. I am still getting used to the locking levers as they seem loose compared to

Strengths:
Unique look
Reduced weight
Noticeable improvement in top end speed.

Weaknesses:
Plating ruggardness
Levers