Spinergy Rev - Xtra lite

Price Paid:  $355.00 at Ebay Australia

Favorite Ride:
Giant CFR1

Bike Setup:
Still ride the old CFR1, heck its carbon and its 'Triathlon on a budget' when you have a family.
Full Shimano Ultegra
Custom made carbon fiber time trial bars

Summary:
I have wanted a pair of these for years, I only way 65kg so they are perfect for me.

Strengths:
They just keep on spinning like they don't want to stop.

Weaknesses:
MY WIFE WON'T LET ME USE THEM EXCEPT FOR RACING !

Price Paid:  $950.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
YangMing Mountain

Bike Setup:
Martec (OEM) carbon (aka. bpStealth), Dura Ace, FSA carbon cranks, Cinelli Angel bars, EC70 post + SLR

Summary:
It seems this product obviously has its share of harsh critics. It's either love 'em or hate 'em. However, I feel belong to the former category. In all fairness, I've had nothing but pure joy from these sweet rollers. I just still can't fathom how some can obliterate them or cause them to snap, as in some of the other reviews. In my experience, they're a lot stronger than what many give them credit for, not to mention their coolness factor. I'm probably just as rough on them as anyone and I haven't exactly got the best roads around here in Taipei. I know they're meant to be "race" wheels, but I've used mine almost daily now for 8 months and for over 5K km, and they're still like new! I think I've become so attached to them that I never want to switch to my spare sets of "regular" wheels. Like day one, they still have incredible rolling inertia; they simple never stop spinning, even with a very light spin by hand.

OK, I'm no racer, but I honestly believe that they offer a discernable aero advantage. It's fairly easy to reach and maintain 50-60 km/h on flat roads. I can't seem to do that as easily with my other wheels. Frankly, they were a tad pricy brand new- although not compared to many of the newer carbon "aero" wheels- so they're actually very well worth it.

Fragile as they may appear, they take a lot of the bad bumps rather well, although always with that rather unappealling sound akin to bamboo about to snap. But then again, they never do. And best of all, they've stayed very true and silky, even well after 5000 clicks. The ride is a bit harsher than I'd expect. That's likely due to the thin, flat carbon spokes, but I suppose that's the price of being aero. The one complaint I'll agree with practically everyone is their unpredictability with strong crosswinds, but you just get used it, except perhaps on super-steep descends.

All in all, they've lived up to nearly everything I expected.

Strengths:
-stength and durability
-excellent rolling inertia
-very aero
-simply too cool

Weaknesses:
-tricky handling in crosswinds
-fragile sounding
-un-tunable ( = planned obsolescence?)
-far too visually flashy

Similar Products Used:
TriSPOKE (the actual brand) carbon 3-spokes
Am Classic CR-420
Shimano

Price Paid:  $850.00 at Velo Pasadena

Favorite Ride:
Montrose ride.

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Caad 4 with Dura Ace through-out. 12-23 cogset. Michelin Pros in 700cx23. Usually I only run the Spinergy wheel in the back, front is Mavic Open Pro with 32h Dura-Ace hub.

Summary:
I have ridden my REV-X X-tra lites on and off since 1999 when I bought them new. They weren't a great value at $850.00 but they have been trouble free all along. I should add that I weigh 155lbs and most of the rides here in Los Angeles include a combination of smooth surfaced roads and some bad ones with plenty of potholes. These are not climbing efficient wheels but on the descents I can see the aerodynamic benefits at work. Heavier guys always descend faster than me when I'm using Mavic Open Pros but not when I'm using even just the rear Spinergy. On mostly flat rides like the Montrose ride I use both since I'm not too strong and these help me a bit. They are plenty stiff for me even without the optional stiffeners available. As others have said before, the coolness factor is undeniable-they make any bike look faster even while standing still. Also they are just a tad more succceptible to cross-wind they low profile rims such as Open Pros but that is to be expected and it is not terrible.

Strengths:
Highly aerodynamic and aside from the super expensive Corima rims-also very unique. Would recommend to any rider with my weight. Don't know how they would function for heavier riders.

Weaknesses:
no chance of riding home if involved in an accident that may break one of the spokes.

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Used... 200 miles

Favorite Ride:
Any Rural Roads

Bike Setup:
2002 TCR2 stock w/ Spinergy Rev-X Lites

Summary:
I bought the wheelset used from a nice fella from Oregon. He was a law student needing to get some cash... the set had 200 miles and was on a litespeed.

I have used Spinergy wheels on my mountain bike (SPOX R1's) and had no problems. I decided to ignore the negative rumors about these wheels and wanted to decide for myself.

The wheels are great!!! I'm glad I was able to find a set that was practically brand new. The wheels are very areo and the crosswind issue is very minimal... the wind pushes on me more than anything else... I don't see why people blame the wheels.

You can actually start to feel its areo performance at about 15 mph plus. The nice helicopter hum as you slice through the wind is very relaxing, too!

Some talked about it's durability... my answer to this is.. buy a wheelset that is appropriate for your style of riding... although most of the road terrain that I ride have bumps and stuff that the wheels can take... I would not expose these wheels to jumping off high curbs and diving into pot holes.

I weigh 155lbs. and feel no flex as some reviews may state... they are rigid and smooth. I doubt these wheels are good for heavier riders above 175lbs.

If you are a medium weight rider who is looking for a set of areo wheels that perform for what they are intended for and a lucky enough to find a set... buy them. It would be a great addition to your wheelset collection.

Strengths:
Aero, light weight, smooth hubs... and of course, makes your ride look very tricked out. When you get them going... they slice the wind like butter!

Weaknesses:
Can't bunny hop on them... not that you want to...lol! Probably not good for everyday riding to work or school... use only for special group rides and racing.

Not made for quick starts.

Similar Products Used:
CXP21 / 105 hubs... for training

Price Paid:  $400.00 at my room mate, i am t

Favorite Ride:
holderness century

Bike Setup:
right now i have a klein quamtam with 105 stuff, but i have just ordered a new trek 2300 and cant wa

Summary:
best wheel i have ever ridden. i have tried almost every factory wheel made, from ksyerium ssc sl to campy proton, and the rev-x is the best out of them all.
if only thoes little spacers between the spokes would stop falling out, i have replaced all of them twice in 1 month.

Strengths:
light, fast, stiff as a pornstar on th little blue pill.

Weaknesses:
the spacers keep falling out

Similar Products Used:
hed 3, rolfs, mavic, lew, campy, big S.