ROL Wheels Race SL

Price Paid:  $615.00 at Rol

Favorite Ride:
London to Oxford

Bike Setup:
Kestrel Talon; Sram Force 2010 compact crank (hills), ISM ADAMO seat, Idio aero handlebar

Summary:
I purchased these wheels based upon other reviews and because of the lighter weight. The UK has steep and numerous hills outside of London. I have no problem climbing with these wheels. The UK is not known for the smoothest roads. I'd liken them to New York pot holes so this is a testimony to the rigidity of these wheels. They have remained true while hitting pot holes that would engulf a rubbish truck. Whenever the road affords me the opportunity to remain level, these wheels spin up quickly and require less effort to maintain a given speed.

Strengths:
Cost, weight, virtually maintenance and trouble free.

Weaknesses:
Absolutely none noted at this juncture.

Similar Products Used:
mavic

Price Paid:  $650.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Trek 2.3 (upgraded)

Bike Setup:
Trek 2.3 Alum frame (2010)and carbon fork (4000 plus miles to date)
Rol SL-R wheels with Vittoria Rubino Pro tires
Ultegra 6700 group (Compact crank, 12-25 cassette)
FSA Carbon seat post
FSA alum. bars and stem
Lizard Skin bar tape with Bar Phat inserts
Selle Italia Flite Saddle
Speedplay Light Action pedals
Cat Eye wireless computer

Summary:
These wheels live up to the hype. I have used Bontrager Race, Mavic Ksyrium SL, and Easton EA90 SL's. I love my Easton's but was looking for something to give me that little, extra advantage. I had read all of the great reviews about these wheels and was a bit skeptical. However, I decided to try a set out. After a week of riding them, I can sum up my experience in one word-WOW! They roll effortlessly. They eat the wind. They climb well. They handle nicely. Twenty mph feels slow on them and I have added about 1 mph to my average speed. They cruise along at 23-24 nicely. I found myself rolling along at 25 the other day and it felt so much easier than on my other wheel sets. When drafting another rider, you will notice a decrease in effort to maintain high speeds (27 mph plus). These are the "weapon" I have been seeking. Believe the hype and "get you a set". I cannot speak to durability as I have not had them long enough. I weigh 190 and decided to get the SL-R with 4 extra front and rear spokes. Yes, they are stiff, and yes, you feel the imperfections in the road, but I will take that for the increase in performance and hopefully the peace of mind of having 4 extra spokes for strength.

Strengths:
-Fast, semi aero (30mm front and back)
-Customer service
-The best wheel I have found yet, they put much more expensive Ksyrium SL's to shame.
-I think the best bang for the buck around!

Weaknesses:
None noted yet.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Ksyrium SL
Bontrager Race
Easton EA 90 SL

Price Paid:  $589.00 at ROL website

Favorite Ride:
DC to Potomac, MD

Bike Setup:
2007 Scott Addict R3 (HMX, unlike later ones that downgraded to HMF) frame. SRAM Force. ROL Race SL

Summary:
To anyone thinking about buying these wheels, I would say "do it". They really are great wheels and an outstanding value. I've owned wheels that list for twice the price from the big French "M" maker, and they weren't nearly as good as the ROLs. First of all, M's weights aren't quoted accurately. ROL's are. Second, the ROLs spin forever. And ever. They're still spinning. And they seem pretty tough. I've "encountered" some pretty good potholes, and no sign of damage or coming out of true. Buy these before they figure out that they're selling a $1000 wheel for $600 and raise the price.

Strengths:
Spin. Light (and accurately quoted) weight. Tough. Good service.

Weaknesses:
The freewheel is a bit loud, but I can live with it. The skewers could be lighter, but that is easily remedied with a set from Zipp.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic (including top of the line clincher wheelsets).

Price Paid:  $589.00 at ROL website

Favorite Ride:
chuckanut century

Bike Setup:
2008 Raleigh Supercourse

Summary:
After riding a year on shimano wheels that came with the bike I decided to upgrade to ROL wheels. What a difference! My average speed went up 2 miles an hour but I really noticed the difference going up hills. They are a great deal at that price, after the first 1000 miles they are still true, which isnt easy with the rough chip seal roads of the Northwest.

Strengths:
Weight, speed, fast delivery.

Weaknesses:
loud freewheel

Similar Products Used:
Shimano WH-R500

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ROL Wheelworks

Favorite Ride:
Anything with hills

Bike Setup:
Klein Q-Pro, 9 speed with Dura-ace and Ultegra components

Summary:
I've rode Volants ffor +10,000 miles and in my reivew of those wheels I've rated them as excellent, in the last week I've moved up to the Race-SL DT-240 custom build wheels, 24 spokes front, 28 spokes rear.

Strengths:
My initial 1/2 mile impression was maybe these wheels aren't quite as stiff as the Volants, my thoughts were how can they kill so much road buzz (by comparison) and not be less stiff. I'm still not sure 100% sure about that but it but it doesn't matter. After a 171 miles I am sure these climb better than the Volants, they ride better, they handle better, they cut through the wind better and they spin up on demand. The Klein Q-Pro stiffened up measureably along with the speed the Volants introduced and I thought I would have to get a carbon fiber bike if I wanted to better dampen the vibration (there is no giving up speed). The Race-SL's are like going from a Volkswagon Rabit to a Lexus, even more speed with refined, predictable handling thrown in. Any thought of upgrading to full on carbon fiber have faded for the near term. The best way I can describe it is if water could flow up hill that is how I have felt at times. In the last few days I've been drafted up hill, only to win the sprint and today watched the next fastest bike, a fellow on a Wilier fade. Very heady stuff. I have been in a love afair with the Volants but these are a definite step up, I almost feel guilty!

Weaknesses:
Loud freewheel.

Similar Products Used:
ROL Volants, Bontrager Race, Mavic Cosmos and various OEM wheelsets