Shimano WH-7801-SL

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at Green Lake

Favorite Ride:
anything on Mt Rainier

Bike Setup:
Tarmac-Dura Ace

Summary:

This is a follow up to a review I wrote about 9 months ago.

I Have a year on these and am miffed by how few people are using them. They are in a completely different league than tube type clinchers and tires. I never have flats while riding and have had only one or two slow leak (overnight) flats in 2000 miles. I was averaging a flat every 300 miles before as I ride quite a lot on a paved trail that delinquents like to break glass on.

I don't understand why anyone would buy these wheels and use tubed tires. From what I understand, they are very difficult to mount. The tubless tires are fast and easy and you have no worries about pinching the tube. This is before you consider that the tubeless tires have a Kevlar belt on the entire tire (the reason that flats are very rare).

I will never go back to tubed tires and plan to use these wheels on a new Tarmac when the new Dura Ace comes out.

Bram

Strengths:
no flats and they stay true

Weaknesses:
expensive and only one tire maker to date

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Sl's

Price Paid:  $600.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Ojai, CA Hwy 33

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Archon; nothing but the best.

Summary:
Purchased these wheels for three reasons: 1) nearly being blown off the road riding Ksyriums in cross windy ride, 2) a friend of mine has them on his tandem with no problems and 3)the majority of the hammerheads I ride with have these wheels.
I was pleasantly surprised by its stiffness and how easy they role. I didn't like the Hutchinson tubless tires for two reasons; they truely were a pain to install (getting a good seal when inflating) and the rolling resistance was subpar compared to Michelins or Conti's. They are just a tad lighter than the Ksyrium SL's (2003).

Strengths:
Stiffness in and out of the saddle.

Weaknesses:
Could be lighter.

Similar Products Used:
Ksyrium SL (all-purpose), Zipp 404's (single purpose; racing).

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Authorized Shimano R

Bike Setup:
Carbon Bike
Japanese drivetrain

Summary:
I've been riding these for about a year now and have been very impressed with them. They've proven to be quite durable as I am not the lightest rider out on the road. Something that I was concerned with initially, but have come to not even think about. In a year of riding, I've not had to true these wheels once.

Strengths:
Stiff, extremely responsive, and durable. Scandium-enhanced Rim. Optional tubeless option.

Weaknesses:
Not the lightest in it's class, but they stack up very well to the competition. 10 speed only... Also the lack of options when you want to go the tubeless route.

Price Paid:  $1080.00 at Bike Rack...Granbury

Favorite Ride:
anything with smooth roads or mountains

Bike Setup:
2005 Giant TCR Limited
Dura Ace components

Summary:
All the reviews are right on!
A great and highly recommended tubeless wheelset. I love them, but my rear wheel brake surface keeps sending small metal slivers into my brake pads (have used 3 pair of pads already on rear wheel in 20 miles)
If this problem quits....they will be perfect!

Strengths:
Strong...Stiff...smooth

Weaknesses:
mine sending metal slivers in the brake pads....doesn't seem to be a common problem though...Would have rated it a 5 without this problem

Similar Products Used:
ALX wheels

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Price Paid:  $0.00 at Won @ Fantasy Cyclin

Favorite Ride:
every time I get on the bike

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix Pro, Dura-Ace

Summary:
I'm running the Fusion 2 tubeless setup. These are by far the most comfortable wheels I own (and I own a bunch... see similar products). The word that keeps coming to mind as I roll down the rode is SMOOOOTH. I have loose hardware in my lower back (L5-S1 fusion) and deal with pain on every ride. There is a noticable decrese in pain with these puppies. they're a little on the heavy side compared to my Speed Dreams (Dave you da man) and they don't spin up as fast (hubs not broken in yet), so they won't be used on steep terrain. They're as stiff as my Ksyrium SLs & Bontrager carbons... but so comfy... Getting the tires on requires a little effort, but can be done without tools or soap. The only complaint (said before) is when adding the fast air sealant, you will end up getting a sealant shower... these wheels make it painful for me to go back to my others..

Strengths:
Smooth, stiff, cornering

Weaknesses:
weight

Similar Products Used:
Ksyrium SSC SLs, Speed Dream, Race X Lite Clincher, Race X Lite Aero Carbon Tubular.