Thanks to the depth, stiffness, and strength of the Easton EC90 Aero Carbon Wheel, using this wheelset for cyclocross has become quite popular. Why is that important It means one pair of race wheels will now take you all the way through the year -from early-spring Roubaix-like rides, to summertime road races, time trials, or even triathlons, all the way through fall and the madness of 'cross. Easton in-house wheel building and acoustic tuning ensure that these wheels won't go out of true, no mat
Strengths: Stiff, rolls quick, very good on climbs and reasonably priced.
Weaknesses: I've dealt with the noisy brakes using their pads but I upgraded to corks and it brakes well. Just can't use on rainy days Sunday. But after learning carbon don't really go well in the rain. I baby my bike. No Rain, trainers if it rains. That's it!
Bottom Line:
I almost sold these after updating them to all ceramics but was not successful selling them so I kept it. Well after being in storage and after three bike updates? I've decided to laced them to my newest and rode excellent. Came in second on my recent race.
Weaknesses: Breaking is a major issue. With my set carbon particles keeps on being transferred on to the pads glazing the contact surface. Once they are glazed, the braking power is down to 20-30 % compared to my other set of carbon wheels. I think there is a problem, I honestly consider this wheels dangerous in a group ride since it is almost impossible to stop at the same rate as any other rider. Also I have to send down the pads before every ride, which is kind of a nonsense.
Bottom Line:
Just bought the wheels and I love almost everything about them. The ride is plush, laterally is very good, the free-hub (I use Campy) is not the best. Pay attention as to how the cassette is inserted as it is possible to slide it in wrong. I noticed that the 11 and 12 teeth gears are a little loose compared to the rest of them. The major problem is breaking. I consider my set dangerous. I sent it back and the guys at Easton have been very helpful, but even if I only had 3 rides, they are not willing to replace them. They suggested cork pads. I am not very happy but I will give it a try.
Strengths: Fast. well made. light. look good. climb and cruise well. a great addition to a bike.
Weaknesses: One HUGE problem. braking surface breaks down under heavy use on descents. I have destroyed 2 sets this way, and yes I used the recommended pads.The mtns are very steep here and the corners are very sharp, which heats up the rims until, after not that many rides, they bubble and the rims warp and crack. Under all my other testing they are great. But Im going back to alu rims, sadly, for training in the mtns. Oh well.
Bottom Line:
Ok I do love these wheels. They are quick, stiff comfortable, spin up fast, accelerate and ride well, are (mostly) very durable and are not nearly as expensive as some of their competition. Ive ridden them in many places with no issues. I have had one huge problem with them, but I'll explain that later.
Strengths: Very stiff, light, looks great with my bike, ride quality, comes with brake pads, and spoke wrench. Hand built and tuned.
Weaknesses: only a race day wheel set:P
Bottom Line:
This is the first deep dish that I've owned. But I do work at a bike shop and I've had the chance to demo a pair of zipp 404 clinchers for a week. My current bike is a 09 Tarmac Pro SL. Ksyrium Sl wheelset, SRAM Red/Force mix. This wheelset was hands down stiffer than the 404 clinchers, which in theory a clincher should have been stiffer than the EC90 aero tubulars. I love to climb I'm defiantly built for it 5'10" 150 Ibs. But even with my size I was getting quite a bit of flex from the 404's while climbing. But doing hill repeats with the EA90's nothing. Very little flex. With the weight of the tubbys being 1335, paired with how stiff they are and a ceramic bearing this is a hard wheelset to beat. If you want to spend more money on a flexy wheeset buy zipp 404. Or you can again spend hundreds more because your local bike shop convinced you that reynolds dt swiss hubs will make you that much faster:)
