Wheels are the cheapest upgrade you can make on a bike (as far as weight
savings per dollar are concerned). Limited budget, spend it here..
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RIMS
Rode Syncros XLR for a year. Very light and very weak. Completely trashed the rims with my
regular ride (about 50 p.s.i.) front and rear. Feels very fast though. Currently riding
Mavic 517s. Excellent so far, compared to the Syncros. Had only 2 deep dings so far riding
the same way, same pressure, some route.
Needs truing twice so far (about 1 year riding). - Oldman |
WHEELSET
Mavic 2001 Ksyrium hoops.
I lurve these wheels. What can I say? They're light, fast and very quiet.
Compared to my previous Mavic Open Sub, they definitely spin up faster but
much more sensitive to crosswinds. It still holds true after one recent
crash in a race, not that I expect otherwise. It is definitely stiff enuff
for my 65 kg and my lousy sprinting ability despite setting my brake shoes
close to the rims. This is one of my better buys, definitely. - Oldman |
WHEELSET
Mavic Ksyrium SSC:
Excellent ride
characteristics. Spins up very well and sufficiently stiff laterally.
Somewhat sensitive to side wind as compared to traditional 32 spokes Open
Sub. Aluminum spokes are prone to oxidation/corrosion though. Badly
designed plastic spoke-guard between biggest cog and spoke. Advise to
discard the guard as it rotates relative to the spokes and will eat into
the soft aluminum spokes. Happened to every wheelset! Wheel still true
after more than 2500 km. Rider weight: 65 - 66 kg. Used on Singapore
quality road (very good condition). - Oldman |
RIMS
Contrary to Old Man's review on the Syncro's XLR rims, my Syncros XLTs (30g heavier but
mucho stronger) lasted me a lifetime (Syncro's motto being "Hammer & Ride, more
like used to be….) The lesson here being that lighter doesn't mean better, just that
you get to change your stuff more often which is not a bad thing.
I now run Mavic 517s. Great rims, especially when mine come in lime-yellow! Recommend
them.
Am using the Shimano Ultegra wheelsets on my
road steed at the moment. What can I say? Cool looking on the move and when stationary.
Works like a Shimano component should and they are light. Wait for the long term test
results that’ll follow. - Doc |
HUBS
XTR hubs circa 1996 are the best, slim looking and smooth as a babies’ b**t. Looks
better than the "how xiao" new chunky ones available nowadays except for the
>1997 XTRs.
As well put by Wankie, DO NOT buy the Machine Techs. Nuff said. - Doc |
Feel differently from them, send comments or criticism to oldman@teamabsolut.net, doc@teamabsolut.net
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