Easton Ascent Pro

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Lees Bikes--I am an employee

Bike Setup:
giant tcr 2, ultegra,

Summary:
Get them if you want one of the best road racing wheels you can get. Don't train on them, they aren't for it. You can use a rear disc wheel and put the velomax wheel in the front for a TT. or for 60 bucks put chaero wheel covers on the rear. I am 140 lbs and I don't feel flex, they accelerate VERY fast, crazy fast. they are almost a pound lighter then rolf vector pros, or kysyriums. the ADA lightweights I would be skeptical about in a crit, they weigh 950 grams for the set, they are Lance Armstrong uphill TT wheels. the velomax are great in crits, road races ( especially ones with hills!) and time trials. They really are great, just pricey but you get what you pay for.

Strengths:
Very light and aero, I can't imagine racing rolfs or kysyriums, maybe train on them. But these things are fast, light, and strong. I hit wheels with someone and went into the grass, no problem they are sweet.

Weaknesses:
the Zipp 303's are 1209 grams, these are REALLY 1190, or the 2001's are. the Zipp 303's are also 900 dollars. But I am confident the velomax are better, but maybe not 300-400 dollars nicer.

Similar Products Used:
mavics, rolfs. etc.

Price Paid:  $1170.00 at Cyclopath, Fresno, CA

Favorite Ride:
double centuries

Bike Setup:
Bianchi EV2 with a bunch of very light parts

Summary:
Light and aero, make that very, very light, even lighter than advertised. Lighted my bike nearly a pound compared to clincher Ksyriums, and much of it rotating weight.

Flexy, need to run the brake pads about 8 mm away to avoid flexing the rear rim against the pads while climbing. Not a precise handling wheel. What can you expect from a very light, narrow, low spoke count wheel?

As with most deep section rims, cross winds will mess with you. Need to really pay attention while descending with much wind.

The Velomax hubs are a work of art, and extremely smooth. The front wheel will rotate forever, and then oscillate many times before stopping, and this with little rim weight.

Cheaper than the $3700 ADA's, which may be the most similar wheel in weight and profile. For extreme light weight and not sacraficing aero-ness, they can't be beat.

Strengths:
Extremely light, around 490 grams front, 732 rear; narrow and aero; buttery smooth and attactive hubs

Weaknesses:
Expensive, narrow, flexy, tubular only

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Ksyriums?

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Diablo, CA

Bike Setup:
Trek 5200, all Dura-Ace, Look pedals, Profile aerobars, 12x25 rear, 53-39 front.

Summary:
I feel as though the bike is at least 3mph faster than with my training wheels, and much quicker and more responsive than with the Spinergy RevX wheels. They sell for around $750 (Colorado Cyclists) with Michelin Axial Pro tires included, so the suggested retail of $1295 shown above is misleading. They're one of the lightest wheels on the market, so the resulting acceleration performance is forseeable. I'm a light rider; heavier riders may opt for the Ascent Comp which has more spokes and is little heavier. I can't wait to get them out on a Half Ironman distance and let 'em rip. Comparably priced with other high-end aerowheels.

Strengths:
Just got them, but love 'em! VERY quick on climbs, and show excellent acceleration - the bike jumps when you step on it. Quick on the flats as well, but their speed on climbs is awesome. Quiet (unlike my Spinergy's) and smooth; attractive as well. They aren't prone to being pushed by cross-winds like my Spinergy RevX wheels since the dish is not as deep. The Velomax has a unique method of attaching the spokes to the hubs which supposedly reduces the possiblity of broken spokes.

Weaknesses:
None so far. They are really light (1400g+), so it remains to be seen how well they hold up.

Similar Products Used:
Spinergy Rev-X