Mavic Ksyrium Elite

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Privite Seller

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
Ti frame, Campy

Summary:
These replaced my Mavic CPX 30s laced up to Dura Ace hubs, the cpx wheels are strong and true but went on my other bike. Have to say these Ksyrium wheels are faster and the best descending wheels I have ridden. I’ve had a couple of bad falls from hitting dogs and front tire blowouts while descending and at 52 lost my nerve for big speed but with these I’m finding myself flying and feeling comfortable. Bought them from a doctor who had never had them in a truing stand and there absolutely perfect. Would highly recommend them.

Strengths:
True and stable,,,,,

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Cpx30.....Mavic open Pro

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Came with bike

Favorite Ride:
Under 40 miles fast

Bike Setup:
Came with Cannondale CAAD7. Temporarily using on Cannondale SuperSix High Mod until I find a fitting upgrade.

Summary:
These wheels came with my bike in 2003. almost 10K miles and many many pot holds later, they are still true and have never required servicing.
I now own a 15 lbs full carbon bike, and am shopping for wheels to match the part. Even at a much higher price I've removed so many options from my list after reading the reviews because I have come to expect the same reliability.
The Elites roll smooth, and spin up fast without any flex. I've ridden them on flats and the GA mountains with complete confidence. It just makes my selection that much more difficult for a reliable and fast upgrade.
I still plan to keep it for my other bike which I am building as a climbing rig. Maybe in 5 years there will be a cash for old wheels program??

Strengths:
Stiff, fast, smooth hubs

Weaknesses:
Maybe at bit heavy at close to 1800g. Can provide a harsh ride when coupled with an aluminum frame

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Open Pros, Spynergy

Price Paid:  $225.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
State Hwy 74

Bike Setup:
2009 Canondale CAAD 9.7 50cm - Ultegra gruppo...17.6lbs.

Summary:
This review is for the silver 2005 wheelset. At 1830g they are not light- but make a great training wheelset because they spin-up extremely fast and stay there with minimal effort. They climb good too. In fact, the ONLY differences between these and the 1490g Mavic Ksyrium SL...is the SL is slightly more snappier on acceleration and obviously- the huge price gap.

With periodic servicing, the cartridge bearings on these wheels spin nearly forever- which is why these hoops are so fast, once they get up to 20mph. The stiffness(I'm 160lbs) is felt the moment you turn the cranks, with smooth and linear power transfer.

Combined with high-TPI road(Continental GP4000s) tires, this wheelset feels like gliding on ice. On the 53 ring/11t from a dead start, five full crank rotations will bring you up to 20mph!

Not bad, for a sub-2000g wheelset...

However, ditch the boat anchor 150g/pair skewers. Luckily, I used my 87g/pair titanium Mavic Crossmax skewers. The BEST thing you can do to these wheels is upgrade to ceramic bearings, because they are bomb-proof if used normally.

Strengths:
Stays true, no need for rim strips, Solid bearings, stiff, aero flat spokes, makes ANY bike look expensive, tires mount easy

Weaknesses:
Heavy QR skewers, expensive spokes, Mavic's utter lack of warranty and customer service

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Ultegra 6600
Mavic Ksyrium SL

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Black Mountain Bicyc

Favorite Ride:
Swami's

Bike Setup:
07 Tarmac Pro

Summary:
These wheels came with my 07 Tarmac Pro. The rear wheel was defective and was coming out of true every couple hundred miles but the front wheel has been perfectly true to this day. My store warrantied the rear 07 and gave me a 09 rear which has been as flawless at the 07

Strengths:
Appearance, strength

Weaknesses:
Expensive spokes, not aero

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Well, I put close to 7000 miles on these wheels and I just cannot believe how durable they are. They seem to be indestructible, I will try them on a cross bike this winter but I am afraid I will not be able to break them. I was not happy with some of the previous Mavic wheels ( I owned Heliums) but these wheels kept me from going to another brand. Great training wheelset, if you are tight on the budget and cannot afford SE I would definitely consider these.

Strengths:
Unbreakable, basically maintenance free (at least for me)

Weaknesses:
No so far,

Similar Products Used:
Mavic: Helium and Open Pro, ksyrium SL; FSA RD-400; Zipp