Mavic Aksium

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Excel

Favorite Ride:
any where I don't crash

Bike Setup:
Douglas Matrix w/Rival

Summary:
Let me state in advance that I am a bit of a retro-grouch and suspicious of low-spoke wheels. Anyway, I needed a build kit for a frame I bought on impulse on eBay. The SRAM Rival Kit I bought included the Aksium wheels. Initially, I asked to upgrade the wheels, but the salesmen assured me that I’d be happy with these and that he is the same weight as I (180lbs) and has found them reliable. So, I went with them. I have put in an entire season on these and so far, they have worked out well. They have stayed true, seem laterally stiff, and ride fine. These are not going to please the weight conscious as my set weighed a beefy 2125grams with skewers. This is a good 300 grams heavier that a standard set of 32-spoke wheels with Mavic Open Pros. I often see these available for around $200 a set so for a set of training wheels these may still be a decent buy. Time will tell how they hold up but so far I have not been disappointed with these

Strengths:
cheap
durable (so far)
stiff
requisite faux fast looks

Weaknesses:
porky (2100 grams)

Similar Products Used:
various boring old 32-spoke wheels. Rims from Mavic, Ambrosia, Velocity

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Performance Bike

Bike Setup:
Jamis Xenith SL with Shimano 10 speed

Summary:
Great spare wheelset. Stronger and more durable than similarly priced Shimano R-600 and with better bearings. However, this wheelset is too heavy for regular use by a serious road racer.

Strengths:
The wheels are attractive and very strong. Hub bearing action is very smooth. Wheels stay straight and true.

Weaknesses:
Pretty heavy and noticeably slow to spin-up. My hub fractured and rim cracked at just under 2 years but replaced under warranty.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Ksyrium, Shiman R-600.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
2009 Giant TCR Advanced 1(stock)
2005 Devinci Silverstone - 105/Ultegra

Summary:
Purchased stock on a 2009 Giant TCR Advanced 1.Three rides(200kms in total) and I`m ready to remove the 10 speed cassette and put on my venerable Open Pro CD/Ultegra hub wheelset.

Aksiums look nice and are bombproof but it takes a hard effort to spin up and harder still to maintain speed. Guess I`m just spoiled with my Veloxmax Orion 2`s and(above mentioned)Open Pros.

Maybe I got a Friday afternoon or a Monday morning wheelset cause I`m giving up on them.

Strengths:
Looks
Durable

Weaknesses:
Heavy(2000 grams)
Spins terribly....a good training wheel cause you are "pumping" continously(wink)

Similar Products Used:
Velomax Orion 2(RIP - I miss these wheels so much)
Mavic Open Pro CD/Ulegra hubs
Mavic Open 4/600 hubs

Price Paid:  $220.00 at On line

Favorite Ride:
Sunview

Bike Setup:
Bontrager Hardcase Race Lite's (700 X 23)

Summary:
I got these off a guy online new and cheap. I must say I noticed a big difference in the bike's acceleration right away.

ABIT on the heavy side but requires minimal effort to keep them rolling. VERY fast and silky smooth ride!

I will update after a month's use but so far happy.

Strengths:
-Minimal effort to keep them rolling
-Quick acceleration
-Astheticly good looking

Weaknesses:
Abit on the heavy side

Similar Products Used:
-Mavic Crossride (26")

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Came with Bike

Favorite Ride:
PCH to Tops

Bike Setup:
Orbea Orca with SRAM Rival

Summary:
Heavy wheel set that spin slow. You must apply a lot of effort to keep these wheels moving. On the plus side they are bomb proof. Which would explain the weight. They will add a good couple of pounds to your bike and make it feel like you are riding through mud at times. Like I said, bomb proof.

Strengths:
Hasn't gone out of alignment after all the potholes. Strong wheel set.

Weaknesses:
Heavy, really heavy. Spin up real slow.

Similar Products Used:
Fulcrum Race 5's
Fulcrum Race Zeros