Strengths: Nice looking, fast and aero (better than ksyrium!), cheap!
Weaknesses: Mass, bad lateral stiffnes!
Bottom Line:
Nice looking wheels, prety fast hub, weight is little bit high, nipples near hub reduces momentum, aero dynamic wheel (aero spokes and rim, spokes are stiff but wheel not, it has huge lateral movement!!!
Submitted by
Timmie Smet
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2010
Strengths: Classic design, lightweights
Weaknesses: some little defects about spokes, stickers at the outside of the rim come loose very easily
Bottom Line:
I am riding the shimano wheels for about 15000 kilometers now, and mostly, they behave well. The last few months however, I experienced two similar failures in the rear wheel: both times, a spoke came loose which caused the wheel to lose its straight shape. Basically, by losing a spoke, the wheel periodically hit the rear frame fork.
Strengths: Nice looking;
Low spoke count;
stayed true; and
good price point.
Weaknesses: Hubs set up from factory are not set up properly which then scores and ruins hubs;
Crummy decals;
Flex in rims.
Bottom Line:
These are a sharp looking set, and have lasted pretty good. The held up to my weight (250 pounds), however there was quite a bit flex. The hubs needed to be rebuilt 3 times, as when they came from the factory they were over tightened which screwed them up royally. I should have checked. If you get these wheel sets, make sure you check the hubs for tighness
Strengths: Aero/Looks
Stiff
Light enough for pricepoint
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
I purchased these wheels used after reading lots of these reviews and I must say, I'm really happy. Sure, looks are there, but the wheel is smooth, relatively light for the price, and seems to be very stiff. I'm a big boy @225lbs and they handle my weight really well.
Strengths: Price, reasonably aero, true-running, strength so far.
Weaknesses: Weight
Bottom Line:
These came stock on the Scattante CFR Elite I bought last year. So far, over 4500 miles on some pretty choppy pavement and they run straight and true. I have never had to put a spoke wrench on them and I'm a bit uptight about my wheels running out of true. I've read about them being noisy/pinging, and breaking spokes, but I've never had either problem. I started out at about 198 lbs and am down to around 175 now so I'm not a skinny-racer-dude by any means, and they've held up well. They are not light when compared against high-end wheels, but then, I didn't buy a high-end bike.
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G'day
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