Shimano Ultegra/Mavic Open Pro

Price Paid:  $129.00 at Nashbar

Bike Setup:
Colnago with shimano ultegra 9 spd. Very sweet.

Summary:
Nice wheel, but the WORST built wheel I've ever purchased. After the first 20 mile ride, it was completely out of true with one spoke completely loose. I returned it and got another from Nashbar ... and the same exact thing happened. the tension felt spongy to begin with. I've never had a problem with Nashbar built wheels before. Maybe they've hired a neanderthals.

Strengths:
hub feels super smooth and rim seems very nice.

Weaknesses:
Nashbar needs to learn how to build a wheel!!!!

Price Paid:  $200.00 at performancebike

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Cadd 8 with Campy centaur

Summary:
I just picked up these wheels a few weeks ago from performance, but I am very happy with them. They came true, with even spoke tension. I have read some reviews about the build quality being suspect at performance, but that wasn't the case for me. I've only put a few hundred miles on these wheels, but have jumped a few curbs already, and at 200 pounds right now, the wheels seem great. These free wheel for much longer than my bontrager race x-lites. The braking surface on the rims are also very nice. Like mentioned in other reviews about these ultegra hubs, they were slightly too tight, but it only takes a few minutes with some cone wrenches to put a little bit of play in them and they are good to go.

Strengths:
Hubs roll for days and these wheels came very well built from performance. Very good price for all around good wheelset.

Weaknesses:
hubs needed to be adjusted, but that only takes a few moments.

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager race x-lite wheels. 105/mavic wheels

Price Paid:  $259.00 at BICYCLEWHEEL WAREHOU

Favorite Ride:
WEST RIVER PARKWAY MN

Bike Setup:
GIANT TCR3,FULL ULTREGA, RITCHEY WCS STEM,KESTREL EMS CARBON BARS, TRUVATIV ROLEUR CARBON CRANKS, MAVIC OPEN PRO/ULTREGA HUBS

Summary:
I PURCHASED THE WHEELS ONLINE FOR 259. THE WHEELSET ARE MAVIC OPEN PROS WITH ULTREGA HUBS AND DT SWISS REVOLUTION SPOKES 32H . THE WHEELSET WEIGHS 1705GRS. NOT THE LIGHTEST WHEELSET, BUT THEY ARE BULLETPROOF. THE ULTREGA HUBS MAY BE NOT HAVE SEALED BEARINGS, BUT MAN ARE THEY SMOOTH AND QUIET I AM A CLYDESDALE 225LB AND HAD LOTS OF BROKEN SPOKES WITH LIGHTER WHEELS.AFTER 700 MILES THEY STILL TRUE. THE WHEELS ARE HAND BUILT AND I RECOMMEND BICYCLEWHEEL WAREHOUSE.

Strengths:
BULLETPROOF

Weaknesses:
NOE

Similar Products Used:
EASTON CIRCUITS, XERO XR1

Price Paid:  $250.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Hilly Hundred

Bike Setup:
Cannondale CAAD5
Ultegra/105 gruppo
FSA compact crankset

Summary:
Traditional build (32 spoke 3x). Great wheelset! Solid. smooth, and bomb-proof. Also ride MTB & get odd looks from other roadies when I jump curbs- but these have just taken all the abuse my 170# dishes out. Over 3k trouble-free miles so far.

Strengths:
Solid & reliable (assuming properly built). Ultegra 6600 hubs spin nicely. Cup/cone bearings easy to lube/service. Decent real (not advertised hype) weight (1825-1850g) for this price range.

Weaknesses:
None. Not aero or high bling, but that's not the purpose of these wheels.

Similar Products Used:
Gipiemme T3-30 (heavy, hubs little rough)
Alex/d-22 (stock from Giant roadie)

Price Paid:  $199.00 at Performance Bike

Favorite Ride:
any brevet

Bike Setup:
Custom steel w/ a mix of components

Summary:
I don't think you can find a better value in a wheelset. With some shopping and coupons you could probably get this set for close to $175. You can beat on these wheels all day long without a worry.

Strengths:
Value and durability

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race Lite