Easton Ascent Comp

Price Paid:  $450.00 at E-bay

Favorite Ride:
Knoxville Double Century

Bike Setup:
Klein Q-Carbon compact with Ultegra, FSA compact crank.

Summary:
I bought these about 4 years ago and got a great deal on e-bay from a small shop in VT. About a year later I broke a front spoke coming to a stop. Later I broke a back spoke on two occasions, one 20 miles from the end of the Knoxville Double (great tech support got me going again). I always took the wheels to a local shop and fixed for less than $20. Some of these wheels had a bad set of spokes in other words. I ended up having a complete re-spoke for $190 and have had no problems since. I weigh 160 but are easy on wheels. They are so fast I have never been able to stop using them and am just now replacing the bearings. They have good tech support people BTW.

Strengths:
Fast and light! I got at least 1.5 mph at my crusing threshold on the flats--21.5 to 23 mph. Now that they are respoked, I have total faith that they will get through more doubles and the Climb to Kaiser later this summer!

Weaknesses:
Bad set of spokes (now fixed) and major challenges continuing the ride when a front spoke breaks.

Similar Products Used:
Durace tubulars with Wheelsmith bladed spokes (don't use these spokes!)

Price Paid:  $400.00 at some guys garage

Favorite Ride:
hills

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR carbon, DA 10 all tuned, Stronglight pulsion cranks, Zero G brakes, velomax ascent comp or carbon wheels.

Summary:
First things first, 140-150 pounds does not make you a light rider. That's just not overweight.

I have used these wheels for everyday training for about 2.5 years and have around 30,000 miles on them. I've changed the bearing probably about 8 times (they do foul in the rain easily. My wheels are still pretty darn true. I've only had to put them in the truing stand a few times.

I am a very lightweight rider 125-130 pounds and I don't run over everything around, but there is a 4 mile dirt road climb I ride pretty regularly. If you are heavier than I am I wouldn't expect the same kind of mileage.

I have really enjoyed these wheels, they are a much better value than ksyriums. It is finally getting to be about time for a new set.

Strengths:
Light and Fast
A lot more bang for the buck than Ksyriums

Weaknesses:
Bearings easily contaminated

Similar Products Used:
spinergy, mavic, velomax carbon

Price Paid:  $269.00 at Col Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Central Park

Bike Setup:
OCLV

Summary:
A followup to my earlier review, three years ago.

At 11000 miles a spoke broke on my front; immediately went so far out of true that the bike braked hard to a stop on its own. I had to remove a brake pad to wheel to roll the bike to the shop on foot.

That is not so unusual. However, when i tried to replace it, the two adjacent spokes had unthreaded the hub, meaning the whole thing was shot.

Also, the bearings were pretty bad off accoring to Velomax; I had ridden ~400mi in the rain this year. Surprising since I only weigh 140 pounds.

Velomax replaced the wheel wholesale (150 for a cosmetically damaged one; 175 is the normal wholesale, apparently). They were quite nice about it. But I now agree with the guy below who says "definitely not training wheels, even for lightweight riders."

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Web

Bike Setup:
2002 Coppi KSC, Dura Aceo

Summary:
I've just retired my rear Ascent Comp wheel after about 8000km. The bearings have gotten noticeably rough, and when riding it sounds like several of the freewheel pawls are banging around loose inside.

These are very fast, light wheels, but contrary to Velomax's claim, they reaslly are not everyday trainers, even for very light people (I weigh 150 lbs). This is doubly true if you ride on poor quality roads (the only kind we have in New England). Save 'em for race day. I'm going back to Mavics for training...v

Strengths:
Superlight, very smooth bearings when new.

Weaknesses:
Poor durability, even for very light ridersµ

Similar Products Used:
Mavic, Shimano

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Velomax website

Favorite Ride:
Palamar mountain

Bike Setup:
TNI full dura-ace, Kestral KM40 full dura-ace

Summary:
Smoothest, lightest racing wheels I've ever road. They are for racing, not training everyday. One ride in the rain and the bearings need attention. These wheels are like a fine sports car; treat them right and you'll turn heads and cross the finish line first. They're not for everyday pounding.

Strengths:
Fast, light and look good.

Weaknesses:
None if you usethem for what they're intended for.

Similar Products Used:
Spinergy, Dura-ace, TNI