Shimano WH-R600

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Swan Cycles

Bike Setup:
Orbea Opal.

Summary:
Wheelset came on the Orbea Opal 2006 Tour of Cali model. The wheels are adequate, but the biggest thing I noticed (and I'm about 175 lb) is lateral flex on climbs under power - the rims consistently touched the brake pads. They weren't terribly "responsive" - maybe because of the deeper rims putting more rolling mass on the outside of the wheel.
On the plus side, I have never had a spoke break on them, never had to true them, and the bearings seem pretty smooth.

I just upgraded to new (2009) Ksyrium SLs and have noticed the difference in stiffness.

Strengths:
Solid rims - stay true.
Relatively cheap.

Weaknesses:
Flexy under load (climmbing).

Similar Products Used:
Ksyrium SL
Mavic Heliums (90s model)

Price Paid:  $220.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Scenic Loop

Bike Setup:
Guru Svel'ti

Summary:
Where can I begin. I initially bought these wheels with the intention of getting better ones in the future and using these for training etc. However, I don't know if they are cursed, but my American Classic rear wheel has seen a lot more road time and that was supposed to sit there and look pretty for the big days. I have had 4 broken spokes on this thing and they are a really hassle to replace. Each time I have to get the spokes ordered and the wheel re-trued. I do not recommend purchasing these or the ultegra wheelset. The ultegra wheelset is the same it's just not OEM like these are. I am giving this wheelset at 2 because the front wheel makes up for the rear.

Strengths:
Front wheel is excellent no problems ever and I use it on both my road bike and fixie. It has lots of miles. Nice bearings, quiet.

Weaknesses:
Rear wheel design flaw with spokes. Weight. Reliability. Shimano.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
MIll Creek Canyon

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra on an Allez

Summary:
Came stock on my Allez. I've ridden about 1800 miles on them and had no issues. I do a canyon ride at least 1/week in the mountains around Salt Lake City and have not had any problems. I'm about 180lbs and haven't noticed any flexing except maybe on sharp corners at high speeds going down hill. I've had no maintenance issues with these wheels, never had to true them or heard any popping/breaking spokes.

Strengths:
Solid wheel, very durable,

Weaknesses:
Not the lightest.

Price Paid:  $300.00 at LBS on sale

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere with hills and no traffic lights

Summary:
These are middle of the road, all-around wheelsets. Not super light, but sturdy and light enough for trainers especially at $300/pair. I'm a big guy and they didn't flex too much at all when hitting a big climb. You could do a lot worse and pay twice as much.

I see some of the other reviews have had problems, my gut guess is that they did not have the wheels re-tensioned or at least checked after a couple of weeks of riding. This is SOP for any wheel.

Strengths:
Shimano hubs
Not too flexy for a big guy
Price right now is unbeatable

Similar Products Used:
Velocity
Mavic
Many others

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Santos Trailhead bik

Favorite Ride:
any rails to trails in Florida

Bike Setup:
Stock Sequoia Comp NOW with FSA wheels!!!!

Summary:
Stock wheels on my Specialized Sequoia Comp. Absolutely love this bike!!! Got it to commute (50 miles round trip) and do some light touring. I weigh 225 lbs and mostly ride the Suncoast Trail north of Tampa which is FLAT!!! I cruise at about 18 mph and no hills to speak of. I have broken three spokes in the last 5 rides. First spoke cost $25!! to replace... wtf!!! now two more just broke. After reading the other reviews here seems like a pattern. These wheels are worthless DO NOT BUY!!! I put an old pair of FSA wheels on the sequoia and it still feels great and rides fast.

Strengths:
lightweight

Weaknesses:
wheels can't hold up to moderate stress.

Similar Products Used:
FSA, biult a set of Campy wheels back in 1986 and rode them for 20 years with no problems (until the rear axle broke)

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