Bike Setup: 09 Immortal Spirit with red Selle Glider seat, Look Keo red pedals, Hudz DA red hood boot, FLASH BHP brake pads, Profile Design Karbon Kage BK/RD, Camel bak water bottle.
Summary: The WCS Protocols came with my Immortal Spirit. I was worried about its strength after hearing some stories of its failure with clydesdales. Im 6'6" and 255 lbs. Ive put about 470 miles on it and its taken everything Ive thrown at it. Seem to be pretty stout rims so far. Very loud during freewheeling though. I dont have to shout when Im coming up on other bikers or joggers lol. They roll smooth and fast though and strangly I keep up with guys pedaling hard and Im just coasting or pedaling at a slower rate. Not the lightest rim from what Ive seen but good enough for me.
Strengths: Seems strong, fast and looks good after only 470 miles by this clydesdale. Dont need a horn because the freewheel noise will announce your presence to all way before you arrive. A bit of an exaggeration but its noticebly louder than some of the other racers Ive rode with.
Weaknesses: Loud as hell when freewheeling
Similar Products Used: Total noob so none.
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Summary: Like any internet purchased wheels, when they arrived, they needed to be trued. Its bladed spokes are a bit tricky. To tighten them you need to use an adjustable wrench to keep the spoke from twisting. Tip O' the hat to parktool.com for that tip. After the initial out of the box truing the wheels hold true very well. These wheels are stiff! There is no lateral play to them, period. Very good choice for sprinters.
Strengths: Stiff
Hold true
Reasonably light
Weaknesses: Not the lightest wheels for the price
Similar Products Used: Shimano 105/Mavic, Xero XR-1, Record/Mavic, Sun ???
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Summary: I purchased these wheels from PBK.com and I got em for an absolute steal. Considering that many different 1550 gram wheel sets are much more expensive, I couldn't hold back. The wheels I replaced where Alex R500s. The new wheels are significantly lighter, much more noticeably stiffer and they look great to boot. Originally advertised, it didn't mention anything about Aero spokes, but once it arrived via US Postal Service, it was completely built, 100% true and with every spoke aligned perfectly. My only gripe I have is that originally the wheel seam was pretty prominent, in terms of noise, but over time, it was disappeared. One major benefit for these wheels is that, inspite of my 200lb weight, and the sometimes questionable quality of the surrounding roads, these wheels are holding up extremely well.
Strengths: Stiff, strong, look great, aero spokes, under 1600 grams for the wheel set, cheap price for purchase, no wheel build/truing needed
Weaknesses: Sometimes a bit too stiff for my liking and current frame (aluminum)
Similar Products Used: Alex R500
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Bike Setup: Motobecane Le Champion, Dura Ace 10 speed; Motobecane Immortal Ice Ultegra SL 10 speed. Excellent bikes, both.
Summary: These Ritchey Protocols came on Bikes Direct Motobecane Le Champion Team purchased March 2007. I estimate 7000 miles on the wheels without a problem until May 2008 when a spoke nipple broke. Repair was simple and cost $8.00. This is the first time I've had a broken spoke since riding some 50,000 miles. I have since read on line a few reports of this happening with the wheel. If it happens again, I may replace all the nipples or replace the wheel set. Also there is currently excessive play in the hub which I will address before next ride. All in all, I've been extremely pleased with BD bikes. I also have the Immortal Ice. Otherwise, I have been pleased with wheel performance. I guess one broken spoke nipple and a little play in the hub in 7000 miles isn't too bad. Haven't gone out of true much to speak of, either. Of course I only weigh 145# and ride on fairly smooth roads. But I do ride fast and have hit some pot holes and rough sections. I'd have to say I am reasonably satisfied with the wheels. Be better with stronger spoke performance.
Strengths: Performance, aero and light, nice handling, secure.
Weaknesses: May have issues with spoke nipples breaking; play in the hub.
Similar Products Used: American Classic 350's, 420's, AC tubular carbon 38's and 58's; Bontrager race lites, Rolf Vectors (old ones), Shimano Ultegras.
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Bike Setup: Giant TCR - full dura ace 10's - itm k-swords bars & stem etc
Summary: Have owned the protocols for 2 years & 10000kms. The rear was trued after 500kms (fair enough - wheels always settle in). Have performed pretty well & are light at around 1500gms a set. Have had to replace the rear bearings twice. the rear rim cracked after 8000kms! and the front rim is now dying as well :-( There has been a little play in the rear hub for around 3000kms but not geting worse. overall I havnt been overly pleased with them mainly because of durability - put it this way, I certainly wont be buying another set!
Strengths: look hot - reasonably priced for their weight. lightweight
Weaknesses: durability
Similar Products Used: Shimano R540's
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