Thirstyman

heavy, the reference point for "not aero", hard to find parts.

botto 

in the "new york metro area"?

patentcad

98% of clincher wheels are heavier, not particularly aero, and not nearly as indestructible as the 1500 gram Ksyriums. Can you find slightly lighter wheels? Yes. Can you get clinchers that are slightly more aero? Yes. Are some a little cheaper? Yes. Are they on the same planet as the Mavics when it comes to durability? Look pal, the only things that are as indestructible as Kysirium ES Wheels are cockaroaches and Al Sharpton.

I actually ride my bicycles (unlike half the posers here). So I want wheels I can beat on that won't break or need truing. I have OVER THIRTY THOUSAND MILES on three sets of Ksyrium wheels (one set of SLs, two ES's) over the past three years. THEY HAVE NEVER NEEDED TRUING. I have had two of the rear hubs rebuilt at my LBS. I have been riding daily for the better part of twenty years, averaging over 8K + miles per year for 15 of those 20 years. No other wheel set I have owned even comes close to that type of durability. Ksyriums are just untouchable for durability.

FlashBazbo

Yep, they're light. They're not aero. But they ARE bombproof. Never need truing.

If I could find a set at a great price, they would be on my new 'cross bike.

Pablo.

I work at a bike shop. Really cheap.

patentcad

Oh, you'd be surprised.

Pablo.

I'm planning to buy these as my "race wheels." I'm still a 5, planning to upgrade as soon as I get enough points. But I refuse to get a deep dish carbon wheelset until I'm a 3. Right now I'm doing ALL my riding on a pair of Alex rims and Tiagra hubs, which weigh like 2200 grams. I hoping that if I buy the ES's, I'll be able to do some hard training rides on those, due to their durability.

patentcad

What are you totally Schwagophobic? STFU and get a pair of Zipps you pinhead. Then maybe you'll MAKE it to Cat 3.

Pablo.

Wait, wait. Still ride the 5s with Zipps? No way. Lets talk when I'm on the verge of upgrading to a 3. I might consider buying a set of Reynolds Assaults though. Maybe.

patentcad

You.......just......don't......GET.....it Pablo.

Despite 20,000+ Pcad posts trying to inculcate you in the Serenity of Schwag. When you get Zipp 404 tubies you are on a plane above all those other Johnny Lunchpail Cat 5s. AND they make you a little faster.

DaSy

Ksyriums ES's are a great wheel as far as I'm concerned, I have had to true several wheels that are supposedly bombproof, but the ES's have stayed perfect for many thousand miles. I do over 10K miles a year, and ES's are a great balance between performance and durability.

The aero thing is a bit misleading too, the test I saw pitched them against several aero section and deep section wheels, which they are not. If comparing like for like I suspect they would be no better or worse, and I think the peak on my cap offers more drag than the wheels could ever make up for.

patentcad

Exactly. This is like a Cliff's Notes version of the rambling Pcad Diatribe above.

Well done.

ehidle

+1

I beat the crap out of mine on crappy Philly roads and i've never even had to lay a spoke wrench on them.

calamus

After reading all the negative posts about Ksyriums, etc . on this board I was considering selling mine and getting something different...until last weekend. I forgot to load the front wheel (Ksyrium SL) on my way to a century and ran over the rim with my truck. I expected a trashed wheel but found only some pits in the side of the rim and that they were about 2mm out of true. Rode the century with no problems. Tough wheels.

JayC

At my weight, 1550 is amazingly light for a wheelset.. LOL

JayC

Im sure there are some Yugo owners that would boast the same thing.

I dont think Ksyrium's are bad wheels but I think Fulcrums are better. Ive actually ridden both so Im making a statement based on, oh, I dont know, RIDING BOTH?!

patentcad

Congratulations, you just earned 100 points towards a BF Idiot Hall of Fame Induction.

JayC

And youve earned the Asshat of the Year Award. I dont give a crap how many miles you ride or how many stupid posts you make, you are not the nexus of cycling knowledge.

jstraw97

Got a pair of ES's for my Synapse SL earlier this year for a great price new and have loved them since day one. Not only are they durable, but I noticed a significant improvement in ride quality immediately (ride = like butter).

I really don't get all the negative comments about these wheels. I've had nothing but a positive experience with them.

patentcad

It wasn't easy. After all, this is BF.

What's 'nexus' mean? Is that a nice car?

JayC

I dont really have anything negative to say about them.. I just think the Fulcrums are a better wheel. Im harder on wheels than most people because Im not a lightweight and the Fulcrums have held up better for me. Ive ridden thousands of miles on my Fulcrums and never even had to have the rear trued.

The ES's are good wheels too, I just think the Fulcrums are better.

patentcad

So you agree with the Asshat after all eh?

JayC

Seriously, dude.. I never said they werent good wheels. I just think if youre going to buy new wheels and you have the choice of buying ES's or Fulcrums.. since the price is comparable, the Fulcrums are a better choice. If you find some ES's on a deal, which does happen since everyone and their brother sells them, then if the price isnt close, the ES's are an attractive choice.

SamDaBikinMan

I can ditto these comments.

I have a set of 2000 SSC's (the originals) and they have never been on a truing stand. I had them checked the other day just for kicks and needed zero truing. These wheels are now my backups if I need them as I am running the ES/SL on both bikes. My old Ksyriums have at least over 12K miles. My riding is spread over 5 bikes or that mileage would easily be over 20K.

I have had such great performance I personally do not consider changing. I am sure there are others that may be just as good or maybe even better but my exprience with these wheels is stellar.

Happy hunting. Whatever you get I would say these would make you happier/as happy as any wheelset.

patentcad

Never. Jay, this is BF.

But I do essentially agree with you on the Fulcrums, they look very nice. I just don't have a gazilion hard miles on them. Maybe you do. The durability of the ES and SL wheels is mind blowing to a guy who rode for a decade on Open Pros laced to Ultegra and D.A. hubs. Those older wheels weren't nearly so durable. The Fulcrums actually look very similar in design and construction to the Mavics. As you correctly point out, the Mavics are so widely available you may be able to find them at blowout prices. I think they were selling those ES wheels for a while for <$600/pair at places like Nashbar earlier this year.

Now take that anger at Pcad, focus it into your BB, and put the hurt on somebody.