Shimano Dura-Ace/Mavic Open Pro

Price Paid:  $299.00 at performance

Favorite Ride:
anywhere

Bike Setup:
Giant Team Carbon, Dura Ace

Summary:
I bought these to replace Ksyrium SL SSC wheels that did not age well. These are the 7800 front and the new 7850 rear Dura Ace hubs laced 3x with Wheelsmith 14/15 db spokes to Mavic Open Pro rims. They are light, strong and feel great on not so smooth roads. they actually ride better than the Ksyriums (not as harsh)

Strengths:
PRICE, weight, quality, road feel

Weaknesses:
Don't get lots of attention

Similar Products Used:
Ksyriums, Ultergra hubs/Open Pro rims

Price Paid:  $400.00 at LBS --- North Divisi

Favorite Ride:
can't decide

Bike Setup:
Serotta CDA
Surly Cross Check
(both with OPs)

Summary:
Excellent all around wheelset. A jack of all trades ride. I've used the OP/DA for everything from road racing, training, cyclocross racing, commuting around town, and even a mountain bike race or two (on my CX bike). I'm 200 lbs and don't go easy on wheels. I've put on about 15 K miles on one set of OP rims over 4 years, and they've only been trued 2 times. They're relatively light for how strong they are, but certainly wouldn't be the choice of serious climbers or light weight racers. The DA bearings are silky smooth.

Strengths:
strong
plush ride
smooth bearings
readily available parts (any LBS stocks)

Weaknesses:
Weight & aerodynamics might be a concern for lighter weight racers.
Not chi-chi cool looking.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Heliums
105/OPs
Easton's

Price Paid:  $120.00 at EBay

Bike Setup:
Caad7 w/ DA 10 and Ksyrium SLs (and now a rear Open Pro!)

Summary:
I just bought this open pro rear wheel (built on a Dura Ace 7800 hub) as a training wheel.
I currently have Ksyrium SLs and I've had many problems with my rear wheel being too flexy while I'm out of the saddle (and I'm only 150ibs).
Anyways, after 2 rides this new wheel has absolutely blown my mind. Its the smoothest rolling wheel I've ever ridden (go with Dura Ace hubs if you can choose) and the quality is as good as any wheelset (I think the shimano hubs are better manufactured than the Mavics).
The wheels are bombproof and surprisingly lightweight (hardly heavier than Ksyriums) and SO stiff (way stiffer than Ksyriums). Also, the hubs are dead easy to overhaul, so you dont have to worry about riding the wheels in rain/winter since you can just keep them clean inside - compare to cartridge bearings which are a nightmare to take apart and rebuild.
These wheels are proof that more expensive is not always better.
I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a solid longlasting reliable and fast wheelset. I guess they're not as flashy as something like Ksyriums or Zipps, but only to the untrained eye!

Strengths:
Stiff, Durable, Easy to overhaul, Cheap

Weaknesses:
None!

Similar Products Used:
Mavics, Campagnolos

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Excel Sports Boulder

Favorite Ride:
Independence Pass

Bike Setup:
Merlin Agilis, Dura Ace

Summary:
This wheelset is wonderful. I have owned and ridden several "boutique" wheelsets such as Velomax and Mavic but this set ranks right up there especially for the price. Mine are the Excel Cirrus wheelset built with Revos ft. and Revos/DB drive side rear. The DA hubs are fantastic especially the easy service and smooth rolling loose ball bearings. The Mavic Open Pros are very comfortable riding rims as well. These wheels are also light enough that I notice no weigh penalty on climbs even though they are no more than a few ounces heavier than the lightest, much more expensive wheelsets.

Strengths:
Light weight, great price, comfortable ride.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Velomax, Mavic, Ritchey

Price Paid:  $0.00 at various parts

Favorite Ride:
dayboro-petrie

Bike Setup:
US postie f/f - white
Dura ace with some ultegra
Campy record Ti calipers
easton carbon post, flite Ti saddle
ITM stem, 3ttt bars, speedplay X2

Summary:
Planned these myself down to the nipples. Blue open pro's 32h, DT revs 2x/3x rear, 2 x front, alloy nipples, dura ace hubs, ultegra freehub body. Put the Ti d/a freehub on my racewheels. These wheels absolutely sing. I used to race tri, and have been spoilt in the past when i owned a bikeshop, so I've had a go of a lot of wheels, but these would have to be a great all rounder. Fast, light, bulletproof. I run Michelin A1 tubes and axial pro's, and they just roll forever. Big clue is to rebuild the DA hubs with Slick-50 auto grease, takes a few 100 k's to bed in, but i can outroll almost anyone at all, despite their weight and setup. I'm sure the std shimano grease is OK, but i love to have things technically perfect. The alloy nipples are plain silver, bit of stealth, and drops a little centrifical weight. If you want the best value for money, I can't recommend this setup highly enough. Sure there are better wheels, but not for the money.

Strengths:
Rolling
Staying true
Stealthy
light

Weaknesses:
don't draw crowds at coffee shops

Similar Products Used:
Trispoke, Spinergy, Mavics, Campag's, Cane creeks, Shimano, you name it.