Rolf Prima Vigor

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
orbea orca, full dura ace, deda and ritchey wcs add ons

Bike Setup:
Orbea Orca
Rolf Vigors
Dura ace
FSA SL-K crank
Deda stem
FSA white bars
Fizik saddle
polar computer
Neuvation R28 (training wheels)

Summary:
Yeah, I've heard the complaints about the weight issues for these wheels, but I have to disagree. I was 220 lbs when I started riding again and pounded on these Vigors for about 1000 miles in 2 months trying to get back in race shape. No cracks in rims, no bend spokes, no bearing issues... nothing!!! Just durable and responsive. For an non-carbon wheel, these Vigors are awesome. I was told by one of the wrenches at my local shop that it really is just a crap shoot with these wheels, some are good some are weak. All I know is mine rock!

Strengths:
Responsive, light, and cheap

Similar Products Used:
Ksyrium ES, Neuvation, Folcrum

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Came with my Cervelo

Favorite Ride:
Anything by the beach

Bike Setup:
2008 Cervelo Carbon Soloist, Campy, NOW Easton EC90 Aero with White Industries hubs, No more ROLF for me.....

Summary:
I am a 6'1" 220 pound sprinter and these wheels wanted to cry underneath me. I like my Cane Creek Volos training wheels better than these things. I guess I was asking for trouble using these wheels in the first place given my stature and their ridiculously low spoke count; however, with the "Strength" that Rolf claims they added to the rims to accommodate the low spoke count, I thought they could work.

I'm shocked I didn't snap a spoke on the 20 mile ride I did with them.

On every sprint the front wheel flexed a good 3-4mm causing my wheel magnet to BANG on the sensor, uphill sprints drew a variety of painful noises from the rear hub, and truing these wheels is an absolute nightmare.

I will give them a 3 overall and a 3 value because I'm sure if you're a lighter rider you'd be far-fetched to find a 1450 gram wheelset you could constantly find for $600.

Strengths:
-I guess the 1480 gram weight is a strength if you're 150lbs and can ride these things.

Weaknesses:
-Looks: everything about these wheels are Ulgy. Even after removing the hideous decals I couldn't stand them.
-Flex
-Low Spoke Count
-Flimsy Rims, spokes, and Hubs
-TINY Braking surface

Similar Products Used:
Ksyrium SL & ES (Garbage), Handbuilts, Campagnolo Neutron, EC90 Aero, Cane Creek Volos, etc.....

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Price Paid:  $0.00 at na

Favorite Ride:
Today's

Bike Setup:
Scott CR1 & Ultegra 10spd.

Summary:
Ok aero wheels for light riders that don't ride aggressively. I weigh 170-175 and have replaced the front bearings multiple times. The front hub is a joke. No precise adjustment mechanism. Axle and end caps are easily damaged while replacing bearings. The front bearings are undersized and easily damaged. Not sealed very well either. The rear hub is better and very quiet.

The rims are under designed as well: the brake track is small and just brushed aluminum. Its not machined parallel like most wheels on the market. Also the rims are narrower than standard which necessitates brake adjustment when switching wheels and compromises the ride of the tire.

While light and aero the wheels aren't that stiff. Riding over large speed bumps at speed I can feel the wheels flex.

Because of all of the above my pretty and delicate wheels didn't get ridden much.

I have a pair of much less expensive Easton Circuit wheels that I think are better built and more durable.

In the end, I sold the Rolf Prima Vigors and for $50 more bought a nice used Reynolds MV32C wheelset that are my full-time riding and racing wheels. MUCH better in every regard. Stiffer, better hubs, better rims, etc.

1 for value cause they aren't worth what they cost.
2 for overall cause at least they ride nice.

Strengths:
Aero, looks cool, quiet, light for Al clincher.

Weaknesses:
Junk front hub. Marginal rims. Not durable.

Similar Products Used:
Reynolds MV32C, Easton Circuit and other wheels I've built.

Price Paid:  $720.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
Mr. DNA

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR Team

Summary:
Great all around wheelset. Tiny brake track. Hidden nipples are stupid.

This is as good as it gets unless you go to carbon matrix wheels. The aero performance of these is worth several watts over Ksyriums at the same weight. While I've never broken a spoken on them, it would be a real bummer if I did with its low spoke count and high tension. Plus with the hidden nipples I can't even use my trust fiber fix spoke to repair it.

Strengths:
Light. (1490g)
Aero.
True and stay true.

Weaknesses:
Weak front bearing set screw (supposedly fixed in new model).
Tiny brake track.
Brake pulse unless zero runout.
Hidden nipples make roadside repair difficult or impossible.

Similar Products Used:
Ksyriums
Bontragger Race
Shimano Dura Ace

Price Paid:  $900.00 at fat frogs bike shop

Favorite Ride:
crits with sharp turns

Bike Setup:
06 scott cr1 pro w/ campy record

Summary:
awesome. you can ride them anywhere. ride them in crits, time trials, climb with them, ride them every day. dont let the low spoke count fool you. the spoke lacing actually is very strong and stiff. the wheels are all hand built to very high tolerances. ive really noticed in crits how fast the spin up out of corners and for sprints. they kick arse!

Strengths:
spin up fast
aero
low spoke count
smooth bearings
light

Weaknesses:
mine have a thin brake track (newer 08 models have wider brake track for easier pad alignment)

Similar Products Used:
mavic ksyrium sl's (french garbage) dont buy them youll regret it