American Classic Victory

Price Paid:  $995.00 at bikesdirect.com

Favorite Ride:
TX hill Country

Bike Setup:
Ultegra 10 speed w/ FSA carbon crank 53-39 and these wheels

Summary:
I purchased a Motobecane from bikesdirect and stripped the parts to put on a nicer frame. These wheels came with the bike and I wasn't sure how they would stand up but after 2+ years I am still impressed with their light weight and durability. They spin up fast and stay true despite being abused on the rough Texas back roads. I get them checked/trued regularly because that's part of routine maintenance; sorry to all you fellas out there that brag about not having them trued once in 3000 miles but you are wrong, that's bike abuse! Then you wonder why you blow a hub or break spokes. I've never had a moment's complaint with these wheels. Even if I bought them for retail price I'd still be very happy with them. For the guy who said they are heavier than more expensive wheels well duh, that's the world of bike wheels, you want lighter wheels go refinance your house. The Victory wheelset is a great value at this weight, a great choice for training or horrible condition wheels.

Strengths:
Lightweight
Durable
Easy to maintain
Look sharp

Weaknesses:
Freehub body seems to mark easily

Similar Products Used:
Mavic, Bontrager, Campagnolo, alloy clinchers in similiar weight range

Price Paid:  $1199.00 at bikesdirect.com

Favorite Ride:
Motobecane Immortal Pro 2007

Bike Setup:
Motobecane Immortal Pro 2007 with 105 group with Ultegra rear deraileur.
And Am. Class. Vict. Wheels. Bought in Oct 2006.

Summary:
Stayed true for 6200 miles
Never serviced once.
Rode 150 miles at US-1 ocean city and rehoboth.(sand)
Rear free hub became free in both directions at 6200 miles. (this means no drive) after the chain derailed to the spoke side and jammed between.
This happened because I replaced a rear DR cable and didn't set the rear DR limiters back in. (lazy)
The front hub still rolls nice. Still true.
Had three incidents that might have stressed the rear hub.
In all the wheel was pulled forward out of the frame by the chain resulting in the wheel getting cockeyed and the brakes halting movement. Not sure what jammed in the back (r. DR?) but it sucked. Not gonna say I am some kind of hulk but I'm pretty strong and all occured while accelerating from a stop. Possibly I had too many clicks in the shifter without enough crank rotations when I stopped. So maybe it was my fault that the hub blew. I was really nice to my wheels though other than that.

Strengths:
weight

Weaknesses:
freehub blew

Similar Products Used:
this was my first road wheelset

Price Paid:  $350.00 at bikesdirect.com

Favorite Ride:
50+ miles of hills and rolling terrain

Bike Setup:
Aluminum road frame with Ultegra components.

Summary:
Great Value. Light and durable for the price.

Wheels have proved durable over the rough roads in and arround Tampa. One broken spoke in 3000 miles. Spoke popped going over cobble stones. Have had to have them trued once in 3000 miles.

I did not buy these wheels sperately but this review form forces one to enter a price. The price I entered appears to be the prevailing retail on the Internet. These wheels came on a Motobecane I purchased from bikesdirect.com.
I weigh 165 lbs. I view myself as a relatively agressive rider. I average 150+ miles per week.

Strengths:
Value=light and durrable for the price.

Weaknesses:
Heavier than more expensive wheels.

Similar Products Used:
None