prebsy

I recently got a job at my LBS and I want to take advantage of my sweet discount to get some new wheels. I currently have 2010 ksyrium elites but I might be selling them to my teammate so I might as well upgrade. Also I am very happy with my ksyriums. I still am limiting myself to aluminum clinchers for versatility. I can't get any great deals on custom built wheels and I am pretty much limited to HED, zipp, mavic and fulcrum although not as good a deal on fulcrums. I was looking at ardennes FR or Sl from Hed, ksyrium SL or SR from mavic, Zipp 101s and Fulcrum 1's or 0's. I was wondering which of these wheel sets would be a good choice. I am pretty much an all arounder although I like to climb a little more than hammer the flats.

keisatsu

That's kinda weird, exactly what I'd recommend if going with aluminum.

What about somebody helping you build your own wheels, using high end parts?

zatopek

My vote goes to HED Ardennes. I run a pair and they are an excellent wheelset. Those Zipps look tempting but their stuff seems awfully expensive. Ksyrium SLs - I've got a pair - are great all rounders and hold up very well over the miles. Don't know anything about Fulcrums.

prebsy

Labor is labor and the mechanic who does build custom wheels at my shop is pretty backed up and I am pressed for time. Would you say custom built wheels would be a better choice even if paying full price to have them built

keisatsu

Well I imagine you'll get the parts at whatever discount you get, labor usually $70-$100 per wheel, maybe less if you say lace the wheels yourself and just have your mechanic tension them, as that's the "hard" part.

Maybe a half rack of beer to get your wheels pushed to the front of the line.

I'd recommend custom, but I have no experience with the other wheels, except for Mavic, and I'm not a fan of their wheels, what with special spokes and nipples and whatnot.

prebsy

once I sell my wheels I will have less than a week before my next race even if i get them built asap it will be extremely hard to accomplish. Anyway can you make any recommendations for custom wheels something sub 1500 and aero spoked preferably.

darb85

kysrium SL

keisatsu

Extralight Hubs 225 grams (FR 63g RR 162g)
DT Swiss Aerolite spokes ~122 grams (28 spokes)
Aluminum nipples 8.6 grams (28 nipples)
IRD Cadence Rims 780 grams (total)

Total: 1135.6 grams

but that's just one suggestion, that's the nice thing about custom, you get to choose each part.

urbanknight

Even Peter White doesn't charge that much.

guy2600

I'd pick up the zipps. I have the same wheelset you have now and did a lot of research last week using the same scenario. Honestly, you're not going to see much performance gain over what you have now regardless of the wheelset you buy. IMHO the zipp wheels would be the most aero and are close to the same weight of the others.

simonaway427

I'm a flat lands type of guy, I'd jump on some 404 clinchers if I had the cash.

billydonn

+1 or the K10 version complete with tires and tubes, which is similar to the SL. I'm sure those HEDs are nice too.

prebsy

I'm really leaning towards the ardennes Sl. Is there anyone else out there using these?

topflightpro

Heds.

Kysriums are super durable, but they are heavier than advertised and horrible in a crosswind. And yes, I own these.
Fulcrums are nicer than Ksyriums, but let's be honest, they're Campy's version of Kysriums.
Zipps are a bit pricey for the weight.

Psimet2001 

+1 - I am in the wrong business....oh wait...no I'm not.