Shimano WH-R500

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Flat and fast

Bike Setup:
Fuji Team, awesome bike!

Summary:
These wheels came on my new Fuji Team bike. They were wobbly out of the box. got them close. Rode 50 miles first ride and they are scrap! Drive side so tight afraid to touch the spokes. Non drive side so loose they are bowed.

Strengths:
Cheap..!..?

Weaknesses:
Junk..!..?

Similar Products Used:
Fulcrum 7. 2500 miles in 6 months, no issues.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Up a hill and back down

Bike Setup:
2009 Ragleigh Supercourse w/ EC70 carbon frame, Ultegra derailleurs, Selle Italia SLC Gelflow saddle, FSA SLK crankset, odds and ends for the balance.

Summary:
These were the stock wheels on my 2009 Raleigh Supercourse and I've put about 1000mi on them. They are as true as the day I bought the bike, no small feat given the condition of the roads around my rural home town. I weigh about 190 lbs and have hit plenty of pot holes, cracks, rocks, etc., all with no mishap. They are NOT LIGHT. Should you slow down for any reason, the spin up is pretty painful, but then once you're going, the rolling momentum is a nice feature.

Strengths:
Stay true, handle abuse, look sharp, cheap as heck retail price. If you push hard, you'll stay in great shape. ;)

Weaknesses:
Weigh a lot--and I mean a lot! You'll want a lighter set if you plan to race. Easton EA90 SLs (I own these) and DT Swiss RR 1450s will save you the better part of a pound, nearly all of it in rim and spoke weight.

Similar Products Used:
Easton EA90 SL wheel set

Price Paid:  $100.00 at CL

Favorite Ride:
outside

Bike Setup:
surly cross check, commuter w/ 105

Summary:
I have these on a Surly cross check
I have put about 3k on them and I think they had about 1k on them when I got it.

Well, now after 4k the rear is crap. It went horribly out of true and it feels like rocks replaced the bearings.

I suppose for the low price, these are all right wheels. I wouldn't get them again if it were up to me.

Strengths:
cheap, great trainer because they are always slowing me down.

Weaknesses:
worn out premature

Price Paid:  $0.00 at bikesdirect

Favorite Ride:
18 mile country

Summary:
came with Motobecane Immortal Pro. these wheels are quiet and smooth but heavy and slow. i'm light so don't need mega strength in a wheel and so will replace for more speed and weight loss. these should only go on more entry-level bikes.

Strengths:
nice looking, quiet, smooth

Weaknesses:
heavy and slow

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Dean's Sports Plus..

Favorite Ride:
West Beach Rd...Whidbey Island

Bike Setup:
KHS Flite...Ultegra DT...Mavic CXP22's, SRAM 12x25 cassette, Fi'zik Arion saddle
Thompson Elite stem/seatpost, Michelin Axial Pro's

Summary:
These wheels came stock, and until recently I'd nothing to compare them to.
I've put roughly 10,000 miles on them and only had one issue. The rear wheel came out of true. Not sure what happened, but a quick turn on the trueing stand and it was good to go again and is still true as ever. I'm pretty careful with my gear...maybe that's why mine have worked out so well....others haven't had my luck. I don't ride in the rain unless it's by accident and am very careful to take care of my wheels. I weigh about 190. For entry level wheels, if you take care of them and keep them clean, I'd recommend them. Most likely at some point you'll outgrow them and decide to upgrade as I did.
Good bang for the buck...just don't buy them at REI...too overpriced!

Strengths:
Durable for me....stay true.
Roll pretty decent

Weaknesses:
A bit heavy compared to many other lower end wheels....but...maybe it make these durable.

Similar Products Used:
NA