Ksyrium SL Premium wheelset--pros & cons?

Nokucrag · Nov 13, 2007

I am considering this wheelset; also very confused (the more I read on roadbikereview...) about where/how to put $1K (credited to me) into much needed new wheels. I would prefer an aluminum clincher (please don't criticize too much...).

From Mavic's website:
"Take the Ksyrium SL with all that makes it unique and then lighten it even further with titanium."
weight (ED10): 1480 grams per pair
front wheel: 645 grams
rear wheel: 835 grams

Thank you from the mountains of Colorado,
Mike

Kerry Irons · Nov 14, 2007

Pros and cons

Nokucrag said:
I am considering this wheelset; also very confused (the more I read on roadbikereview...) about where/how to put $1K (credited to me) into much needed new wheels. I would prefer an aluminum clincher (please don't criticize too much...).

Pros: well built wheel, MAVIC reputation and bling

Cons: you're paying maybe $200-$300 more than needed for comparable performance. Often factory wheels are more difficult/expensive to maintain due to proprietary designs.

titanio1 · Nov 14, 2007

Kerry Irons said:
Pros: well built wheel, MAVIC reputation and bling

Cons: you're paying maybe $200-$300 more than needed for comparable performance. Often factory wheels are more difficult/expensive to maintain due to proprietary designs.

:thumbsup: check at colorado cyclist....last minute special for these wheels....

Slartibartfast · Nov 14, 2007

Nokucrag said:
I am considering this wheelset; also very confused (the more I read on roadbikereview...) about where/how to put $1K (credited to me) into much needed new wheels. I would prefer an aluminum clincher (please don't criticize too much...)

I would certainly not spend $1000 on Ksyriums (I did, BTW :blush2

. I ride them and like them, but there may be better ways to spend your money. Do you have to put all of the $1K into wheels, or can you spread it around? Also, is it cash, or shop credit?

master2129 · Nov 14, 2007

Nokucrag said:
I am considering this wheelset; also very confused (the more I read on roadbikereview...) about where/how to put $1K (credited to me) into much needed new wheels. I would prefer an aluminum clincher (please don't criticize too much...).

From Mavic's website:
"Take the Ksyrium SL with all that makes it unique and then lighten it even further with titanium."
weight (ED10): 1480 grams per pair
front wheel: 645 grams
rear wheel: 835 grams

Thank you from the mountains of Colorado,
Mike

I asked this same question in a different section of the forums. I actually ordered a set yesterday at our LBS for $950. I get them on Friday. I plan to go long on Saturday so after 80+ miles I will know very well how these puppies handle. The route I am going to ride has a little bit of everything. It will be a good test run for sure. I will be sure to post some actual real life feedback later this weekend.

Slartibartfast · Nov 14, 2007

master2129 said:
I asked this same question in a different section of the forums. I actually ordered a set yesterday at our LBS for $950. I get them on Friday. I plan to go long on Saturday so after 80+ miles I will know very well how these puppies handle. The route I am going to ride has a little bit of everything. It will be a good test run for sure. I will be sure to post some actual real life feedback later this weekend.

You know what? You'll dig your Ksyriums. There are a few haters on these boards, but mostly the folks mean really well. They want to save you some money. There are definitely some inexpensive good choices out there. That said, viva Ksyriums! They look great, and IMO they ride just fine. I'm particularly sensitive to road input because of a neurological condition, and the Ksyriums are no more noisy than the other wheelsets I ride.

Remember to inflate your tires to the proper pressures. I mean it.

mytorelli · Nov 14, 2007

The weight is above 1500 grams, for my set. I don't think they are worth it. I would go custom

Slartibartfast · Nov 14, 2007

mytorelli said:
The weight is above 1500 grams, for my set. I don't think they are worth it. I would go custom

Agree they're not worth it. But they're still good. What are the specifics of your custom idea? Because for many, it's not worth it to wait around for a builder to deliver a 200-gm weight decrease that won't matter anyway. (That said, I dig light wheels tooooo. Don't care if they only matter when accelerating...

)

Oldteen · Nov 14, 2007

Not sure if Mavic "Haters" is the right way to put it. No doubt Ksyriums have become very popular, but many do not think they are the best wheel for the $$$. It's not really helpful to say the SL is a good wheel or bad wheel without context. In an absolute sense it's nice all-around wheelset, but IMHO not so nice at $1000/1500+g actual weight. At half that $$ the SL is VERY competitive. You say you have $1k credit- what are your other choices? Personally I would not spend $1k of my money on SL's, but they may well be your best use of that credit.

mytorelli · Nov 14, 2007

fougasg said:
Agree they're not worth it. But they're still good. What are the specifics of your custom idea? Because for many, it's not worth it to wait around for a builder to deliver a 200-gm weight decrease that won't matter anyway. (That said, I dig light wheels tooooo. Don't care if they only matter when accelerating... )

It would be niobium 19 rims
white industries h1 hubs
dt swiss spokes

the weight can change depending on how many spokes you want. You could also get these done at your LBS depending on whether or not they are available. For most LBS it shouldn't be too hard to obtain these materials.

www.fairwheelbikes.com also has the rims

mf9point8 · Nov 14, 2007

the only difference between the SL3's and the SL premiums is the skewers correct?

WHy not bargain hunt for the SL3's )usually between 499 to 700 for a set, (I got mine for under 700 in June). and then upgrade the skewers if you REALLY need too...

I have been very happy with mine thus far.

Slartibartfast · Nov 15, 2007

Oldteen said:
Not sure if Mavic "Haters" is the right way to put it. No doubt Ksyriums have become very popular, but many do not think they are the best wheel for the $$$. It's not really helpful to say the SL is a good wheel or bad wheel without context. In an absolute sense it's nice all-around wheelset, but IMHO not so nice at $1000/1500+g actual weight. At half that $$ the SL is VERY competitive. You say you have $1k credit- what are your other choices? Personally I would not spend $1k of my money on SL's, but they may well be your best use of that credit.

I think we're in complete agreement, if you follow my chain of posts. I used the term "Ksyrium haters" loosely. It seems they're more maligned than most products discussed on these boards. I paid bike club discount for a pair of SLs when they first came out (~$1000 back then). I wouldn't pay half that now. I consider them fine for my needs, but they're my 4th favorite of the 4 wheelsets I use.

stwok · Nov 15, 2007

fougasg said:
I think we're in complete agreement, if you follow my chain of posts. I used the term "Ksyrium haters" loosely. It seems they're more maligned than most products discussed on these boards. I paid bike club discount for a pair of SLs when they first came out (~$1000 back then). I wouldn't pay half that now. I consider them fine for my needs, but they're my 4th favorite of the 4 wheelsets I use.

I think some people may not realize the line up for 2008 has changed. The Ksyrium SL Premium is now the top of the line Ksyrium and they are now solid black. The Ksyrium SL has replaced last year's Ksyrium ES, the new SL still has the red hubs!

I have a pair of 2007 silver SLs they are still true after 1 seasons use, have had no problems, and I weigh 235 !!!

Eric_H · Nov 15, 2007

stwok said:
I think some people may not realize the line up for 2008 has changed. The Ksyrium SL Premium is now the top of the line Ksyrium and they are now solid black. The Ksyrium SL has replaced last year's Ksyrium ES, the new SL still has the red hubs!

I have a pair of 2007 silver SLs they are still true after 1 seasons use, have had no problems, and I weigh 235 !!!

That is more or less correct. The 2008 Premium is equal to the 2007 ES with Ti axles and Ti skewers, except that the rear rim in 2008 now has offset spoke drilling to reduce the difference in tension between drive and non-drive spokes and the wheel is all black. The 2008 SL looks like the 2007 ES in black/red, has the new offset rear rim as well, but does not have the Ti bits.

stwok · Nov 15, 2007

Eric_H said:
That is more or less correct. The 2008 Premium is equal to the 2007 ES with Ti axles and Ti skewers, except that the rear rim in 2008 now has offset spoke drilling to reduce the difference in tension between drive and non-drive spokes and the wheel is all black. The 2008 SL looks like the 2007 ES in black/red, has the new offset rear rim as well, but does not have the Ti bits.

And there is only 5 grams difference between them !

Oldteen · Nov 16, 2007

fougasg- I hear ya. It's just that some on this BB (and in my local club) seem to push Ksyriums as the ONLY wheels to ever buy. Ride what you like, I say. Just don't dis' my gear choices if they don't happen to agree with yours. (pardon the soapbox).

Actually, I got some lower-line Ksyriums recently (Equipe's) and like their ride. I think they are OK training wheels except for requiring some TLC (bearing adjustment at 250mi, then retruing at 600mi). I find this annoying since I'm no Clyde (6ft-165# non-racer) and hate to have my stuff in the shop. Maybe I've been spoiled. My 32-spoke Ult/OP's had over 4k miles before needing any attention at all (minor re-true). More recently, my Neuvation R28aero's (cheaper, more aero, & 200+g lighter than the Equipe's) have been totally solid for over 2k miles. They're my favorite wheels for events or "spirited" club rides (at least until I invest in some custom-builts).
Considering my so-so Mavic experience I'm not motivated to dump $1k into one of their higher-end wheelsets...unless, perhaps, I had a $1k credit like the OP.

Juanmoretime · Nov 16, 2007

I think its a lot of money for a nothing special wheelset. Not light, not areo and should you break a spoke have fun getting it replaced. I think there are much better wheels to be found for less money. I guess Mavic's marketing works!

Ksyrium SL Premium wheelset--pros & cons?

Nokucrag

Kerry Irons

titanio1

Slartibartfast

master2129

Slartibartfast

mytorelli

Slartibartfast

Oldteen

mytorelli

mf9point8

Slartibartfast

stwok

Eric_H

stwok

Oldteen

Juanmoretime

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