baj32161

I just got to take a peek at the new Mavic entry level road wheelset. It is called the Aksium and looks like a perfect entry level wheel....or upgrade from basic stock wheels. The shop where I saw it had them marked at $250.00 for the set. It is one very attractive wheel and looks and feels bombproof. I think I am going to pick up a set and use my Bontrager Selects as my backup wheels.

Cheers,

Brian

Grasschopper

Hold off there Brian. Nashbar is selling the 2005 Ksyrium Equipe for just a little more than that and they have better hubs, and rims. Something to think about.

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

baj32161

Hey thanks chopper......I didn't get the catalog this time around. I will definitely look at going that route instead.

Thanks Man,

Cheers,

Brian

briscoelab

You can get the Aksium from Probikekit for like $140 or something like that. They are pretty heavy though. I think you'd be much better served by a set of Open Pro rims laced to Ultegra hubs. That will only set you back like $200 at Performance.... and you can save 10% and get double points back this weekend! Those wheels would be lighter and more durable.

baj32161

Keep 'em coming guys...I am just beginning to learn about wheelsets. I appreciate everything.

Cheers,

Brian

Flywolf

Brian, I have the 2005 Ksyrium Equipe, my new Specialized Roubaix came with it standard, no complains so far, but the riding season is just about to start so don't know how good they are yet.

Grasschopper how are the Equipe?, do you have any experience riding them?

C4Byke

Frankly I don't understand why every non-pro doesn't have Open Pro's/Ultegras. Anything else is either a raceday upgrade or poser equipment.

pelotonracer

So many things wrong with this, I don't know where to start:

-No bling
-No bling
-No bling



THAT's what I'm talking about!

$0.00/Gal

Are you insane?

Stubacca

Bit of an over-generalisation there. There are plenty of rims out there that can be used in place of an Open Pro to build a good wheelset (e.g. DT Swiss R1.1, Velocity Aerohead).

But yeah, I'd go for open pros to Ultegra over either an Aksium or Ksyrium Equipe.

EGreen

Opinionated but likely not clinically insane. Open pro's not necessarily open minded. I agree though.

Psimet2001 

My father-in-law - Mr E Worm - is a Open Pro/Ultegra, 36 spoke, 700x30 tires, Brooks Saddle, Cantilever brake kinda guy.

I'm a 24 spoke rear (see my caption near my avatar), budget lightweight wheel, carbon frame, 700X23, Selle San Marco kind of guy.

They have catagories for the two of us:
1. Recreational Rider
2. Enthusiast

I guess all of us enthusiasts are like Corvette, or Porsche owners. We love a good ride, and good machinery. But I guess we're all posers because we don't race.

Kind of like SUVs that never see off-road....
.... or how about mountain bikes that live on the road.....
....or iPods that hold thousands of songs....you can only listen to one at a time
.......or satellite radio.....the regular radio gets the job done...
...Starbucks coffee drinkers....Dunkin Donuts is good enough.....
...........AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'm surrounded by posers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SDRider

I'm riding Mavic Open Pros laced to Campy Record hubs with double butted spokes (see the pic in my sig). They are very strong and they probably weigh around 1800g for the pair. $299 from Performance.

Cypress

If that.

Patriot

I have a set of the Ventos also. At 1750g, and only $200, they are one of the nicest wheels for the money right now. Especially since they are Campy compatibe. I think you can even get them with Shimano hubs if you really want. I have few hundred miles on mine so far, and I can tell I won't need to be truing these up anywhere near as often as my old wheels.

I've never understood the fascination with Mavic wheels. It's as if everyone thinks there is some majic behind the name "Ksyrium", or "Aksium". Personally, I think they are over priced, and way too heavy, imho.

C4Byke

As a follow-up to my insane post, how many of you with 1200$ wheelsets actually race? If you ask me, buying mavic carbones and not being a pro racer is insane.

Serpico

Brian,

my advice (and I'm no expert, but I just went through all this)-- take your time

unless you urgently need a new set of hoops, do your research. lots of great stuff out there, and wheels are the next important thing after your frame (in terms of ride quality)

take a look at campy, mavic, fulcrum, etc, etc and maybe talk on the phone with guys like Ergott (ergottwheels.com) or Mike Garcia (oddsandendos.com)

if you're looking at factory wheels the campys are sweet, ergott builds some awesome wheels if you decide to go that route

good luck,





( Lemonds = )

dekalbSTEEL

Yes, it's true..... some people actually prefer their bikes to have some STYLE!

Cycliste

The Ventos seem like a great deal and nice. Yes, Ksyriums are more expensive. Elites came stock with my bike so effectively I did not pay the $500+ price tag on them. All I can say is that after 4500+ miles, they are the same as they were the first day minus the usual brake pads wear, perfect. And they have seen their fair share of rough roads and unavoided pot holes. A few hundred miles is too little to judge a set of wheels.
Yes, Mavics are a little pricier, if the Ventos can hold this mileage and not budge, then they are on my list of next set of wheels to acquire.

Patriot

Well, I will be the first to admit, they are the new '06 model, so time will tell. If the QA in their build is the same as the old Ventos, only with a newer lighter rim, then I'm sure they will fare out pretty good. My problem, is that my commute does have several miles of very rough roads, almost like aggregate, and alot of heavy cracks and some potholes. So, if they can take this, then they are a decent wheel. By the end of summer, I'll have a much better veiw of them. My initial impression has been good, so far.

Portis

They have a website.

EGreen

I ride an absolute minimum of 30 Mi a day. I have two road bikes, one Specialized and the other a custom Ti with mixed DA and Campy record components, my wife calls them my girlfriends. I don't argue.

I'm more than a enthusiast, I'm a fanatic for the time I spend on my bikes on and off of them. Both of which have Open Pros/Ultegra hubs.

Grasschopper

I don't have them...my Roubaix came with Shimano WH-R560 which I sold due to my Campagnolo conversion. My feeling on Mavic wheels is that they are over priced and not worth the money...if they come stock or if you can get a deal they are a good wheel. In this case for the money I think the Equipe is a good deal and one of your better choices for ~$260. Before all the price increases I would have simply said oddsandendos.com but now that his prices are much higher it isn't the silly smoking deal it used to be...still great wheels just not as no brainer of a decision.

formulaben

You are correct. You don't understand...

Patriot

You want to know what I equate Mavics to? Take a good look!!!

The rim profiles are virtually identical, the weight almost identical, except the Ventos have a higher spoke count.

Mavic Ksyrium Elite- 1732g
Spoke count- 18F/20R
Price- $500.00



Campagnolo Vento- 1750g
Spoke Count- 24F/27R
Price- $200.00 at www.11speed.com



This is what I call a "no brainer".