Neuvation Cycling R28 SL5

Price Paid:  $358.00 at Neuvation

Favorite Ride:
Usually the fast ones

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR with Dura Ace 7800/7900 and 6700 cassette.

Summary:
I waited to get some miles and do a couple races on this wheelset before I did a review. I was impressed by the out of box quality in general and appreciated the fact that they came with rim strips, six extra spokes and nipples. The claimed weight is very accurate. My wheelset weighed in at 1520 grams with rim strips so the 1490 gram claimed weight without seems very accurate. My Mavic Ksyrium ES wheelset actual weight was 1530 grams with their spacer that you have to use on their freehub. Mavic claimed 1485 grams. These actual weight recordings were done on a scale that is acurate to within one gram and without skewers. I didn't use either brands skewers so I didn't take that into consideration but the Mavic's skewers are lighter. The lateral stiffness and ride quality is comparable. I actually think the Neuvation wheels with stock bearings spin as good if not better than the Mavic's with Enduro hybrid ceramic bearings. I've used wheelsets that have cost more money and have been worse in overall performance and ride quality. I like the fact that I don't have to be afraid of destroying these and that I'm not out a bunch of money if I do.

Strengths:
Light, laterally stiff, vertically compliant, handles cross winds great, spin great and I would say the absolute best wheelset for the money that I have ridden to date.

Weaknesses:
They are not as cool looking as other wheelsets. I think my Ksyrium ES wheels held true a little better. The spokes on new wheelsets do most of their stretching during the first 400 miles or so and the Neuvation's seem to be stabilizing now.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Ksyrium ES and other less expensive Mavic's, Blackwell Research full carbon clincher, Easton EC90 full carbon tubular, FSA RD600, Bontrager, Shimano, Wolber, Alex, others?

Price Paid:  $450.00 at Internet

Summary:
Got these wheels with the ceramic upgrades Fall 2008 and have put well over 1000 miles on them. I weigh 185 and rode them through some rough Winter/Spring conditions. They're still true, solid, light and fast. I did have a bearing issue but their service is superb and I had new bearings sent within hours of my email. The price, product, and service are unbelievable. I can't think of any reason I would buy wheels from anyone else (unless I was brand snob).

Strengths:
Cheap, light, fast, durable, GREAT SERVICE!

Weaknesses:
Not a fan of the labels but they're easy enough to remove.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano R550, Ksyrium Elite

Price Paid:  $330.00 at Online

Bike Setup:
Scott CR1 w/SRAM Red

Summary:
An extremely noticeable performance advantage over the Ksyrium Elites they replaced. Lighter, stiffer and - most importantly - more responsive. Spoke tension and rim trueness was nearly perfect out of the box. Decals are just plain ugly, but removal only took about a half hour or so. Mounting the tires was difficult, which makes me a little worried about fixing a flat on the road. Too soon to determine overall durability/reliability. The purchase price reflects the optional protection plan.

Strengths:
Bang for the buck.

Weaknesses:
Decals. Mounting tires is difficult

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Ksyrium Elites and lots of other Mavic rim/Shimano hub combinations

Price Paid:  $27900.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
ANY

Bike Setup:
S-WORKS ALL DURA ACE AND ALL CARBON BAR,SEAT POST,STEM, ETC

Summary:
LIKE EVERYONE SAYS THEY ARE AWESOME.
I PAID 279.00 AND THEY WERE DEAD ON AT 1470 GRAMS FOR THE PAIR!!!! WHERE CAN YOU GET THAT??? IVE HAD A COUPLE OF KYSRIUMS AND REAL DESIGN SUPERSONIC 40'S AND HAVE SOLD THEM ALL TO STICK WITH THESE.. THAT GUY JOHN IS AN ABSOLUTE BLESSING TO THE CYCLING INDUSTRY,I ALSO E-MAILED HIM ABOUT 3 TIMES BEFORE BUYING AND HE ALWAYS REPLIED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND PROFESSIONAL OPINION...

Strengths:
AWESOME QUALITY
AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE

Weaknesses:
I PERSONALLY DONT LIKE THE DECALS

Similar Products Used:
KYSIRIUMS,REAL DESIGN.EASTONS

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Neuvation

Bike Setup:
giant, ultegra sl, neuvation, sorta-speedy engine.

Summary:
First off, you don't need to automatically upgrade to ceramic bearings...especially up front. I've had 3 nuevation wheelsets and all had perfect rolling stock bearings. I've upgraded 2 of the 3 rear wheels to ceramic and you won't notice any difference when riding. About the SL5s: they are light--mine were 20 grams under claimed weight--strong, and plenty aero. For road racing, no need to get any more aero than these. I've recently inspected $950.00 made-in-america wheels and was amazed at how well neuvation wheels hold up in initial quality. Similar rim seam quality, neuvation bearings won out, neuvation spokes won out, and neuvation weight was on. The other brand was 30 grams heavier. For a $950.00 aluminum clincher, the quality should be perfect!!! Back to neuvation, they make a good, inexpensive wheel backed by good customer service.

Strengths:
light, fast, cheap, fast, cheap, light, not Mavic, not loved by brand-wh@res.

Weaknesses:
rim seams are always not perfect...but they're good. Never notice it when riding or braking.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano R540, Neuvation M Aero 2, Neuvation R Aero 3.