Best wheelset for around $600
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Westbrook, Maine
Posts: 558
Bikes: 2011 Litespeed M-1, 1991 Raleigh Technium (Commuter)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Best wheelset for around $600
I have a little bit of money to play with, and was wanting to purchase an upgrade from my current mavic aksium wheelset. So far the only ones that really catch my attention are the Ksyrium Elites on nashbar for $400. I'd be reducing the weight of my bike by 250 grams with those wheels. Early last year i saw some eastons that were sub 1500g for around $600 but I can't find them now. I'm sure I'm only thinking inside the box, so any insight would be appreciated!
#2
Senior Member
When I upgrade (hopefully, soon) with a similar budget, I'll be looking at Soul 2.0s - around 1,350 grams. At 165 lbs they should be pretty good for me...
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Westbrook, Maine
Posts: 558
Bikes: 2011 Litespeed M-1, 1991 Raleigh Technium (Commuter)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Right now I tip the scales at about 185. I should be down to atleast 175 before climbing into the saddle, and very possibly even lighter than that. The Elites weigh 1550g altogether. There are some eastons the same weight, but $150 more.
#6
Senior Member
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 56
Bikes: 2007 Giant OCR C2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Soul 2.0
November FSW 23 (https://www.novemberbicycles.com/fsw-23/)
Boyd 30mm Vitesse (https://www.boydcycling.com/30mm-vitesse/)
November FSW 23 (https://www.novemberbicycles.com/fsw-23/)
Boyd 30mm Vitesse (https://www.boydcycling.com/30mm-vitesse/)
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Westbrook, Maine
Posts: 558
Bikes: 2011 Litespeed M-1, 1991 Raleigh Technium (Commuter)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can't find a site that sells souls so far. I can find the manufacturer site, but it doesn't list pricing or anything. As far as all the other results, I'm very much encouraged by what I'm seeing!!!
#12
CAADdict
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
I have a little bit of money to play with, and was wanting to purchase an upgrade from my current mavic aksium wheelset. So far the only ones that really catch my attention are the Ksyrium Elites on nashbar for $400. I'd be reducing the weight of my bike by 250 grams with those wheels. Early last year i saw some eastons that were sub 1500g for around $600 but I can't find them now. I'm sure I'm only thinking inside the box, so any insight would be appreciated!
They are undeniably stiffer, stronger and perform better than the Souls.
But if weight is more important to you than performance, then Soul S2.0's would be your set.
![Thumbs Up](images/smilies/thumb.gif)
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
https://www.bikesoul.com/2009/index.p...id=2&Itemid=10
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Westbrook, Maine
Posts: 558
Bikes: 2011 Litespeed M-1, 1991 Raleigh Technium (Commuter)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I read more about the williams wheels, which are about 30g heavier than the ksyriums and I think those will be a set I seriously consider so far. I still need to read more in depth about the other suggestions. But you think the Ksyrium Elites will perform better than the souls?
#14
Senior Member
Shouldn't be a problem, IMO.
#15
CAADdict
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
I read more about the williams wheels, which are about 30g heavier than the ksyriums and I think those will be a set I seriously consider so far. I still need to read more in depth about the other suggestions. But you think the Ksyrium Elites will perform better than the souls?
They aren't building wheels out of generic parts bins, but literally design & manufacture their own components.
Have you ever ridden a set of Ksyriums? Try it. For me, the extra 200g is damn worth it. They are awesome.
Look up the word "bulletproof" in the dictionary...you'll find a picture of Mavic Ksyrium wheels for the definition.
$600. was a lot of money for me. I bought the best I could afford.
My definition of best might be different from others', but for me, strength,
stiffness, performance and reliability were priorities. Weight was last on the list.
Also, buying them from a company like Mavic was just a big +.
![Thumbs Up](images/smilies/thumb.gif)
They are the Chuck Norris of wheels!
Last edited by 2ndGen; 12-31-11 at 12:01 AM.
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Westbrook, Maine
Posts: 558
Bikes: 2011 Litespeed M-1, 1991 Raleigh Technium (Commuter)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So far I like what I've read about the Elites, Williams System 30's, Souls, and Vitesse. The only wheelsets I'm ruling out are the november, and psimets.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ksyriums sometimes get a bad rap here. But they are fairly light and bombproof. If you are looking for lighter try to score some Topolino's CX20's on ebay. They are also bombproof and around 1370 grams. Search criaglist too. You should be able to score a set for $400-500. The MSRP is $1300.
There is also Topolino C19's. Nearly as good as the CX2.0. They are 1400 grams.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topolino-700...item4160cb961c
Cool thing about the Topolino's is they ride very smoothly. Makes my ride more enjoyable. BTW, I had Ksyriums before the CX2.0's I use now. Plus Ksyriums are cool looking but kind of common, if that matters to you.
There is also Topolino C19's. Nearly as good as the CX2.0. They are 1400 grams.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topolino-700...item4160cb961c
Cool thing about the Topolino's is they ride very smoothly. Makes my ride more enjoyable. BTW, I had Ksyriums before the CX2.0's I use now. Plus Ksyriums are cool looking but kind of common, if that matters to you.
#21
Slower Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 328
Bikes: 2009 Giant Defy 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've posted this before, so apologies for the repetition, but here's my take:
"I am pretty close to your size, a little bigger at 6', 190 lb. I did a lot of research before I bought new wheels, and had a budget of $1000 top whack, but hopefully less.
My advice - buy the Shimano RS80s from Excel Sports and do not look back. I did, have been riding them for about 12 months, and I love them.
For great quality big-name wheels, it is hard to beat the weight for the price - current price at Excel is $578 for wheels just over 1500g. Compare Kysrium Elites at over 1700g for over $600. They are "carbon fiber bonded to an aluminum rim" which means they are not full carbon, but they are still nice and stiff, with a really smooth ride, but are only half the thickness of normal aluminium, and you don't need special brake pads. They still look like carbon too, which is cool.
Ultegra steel freehubs take a real beating, and despite just 16 spokes front and 20 rear, they still support a good sized mid-weight like us (Shimano has no rated weight limit for them - Excel reckoned they would handle 220 at least), while being light and fast.
They are effectively Dura-Ace rims at a fraction of the price. Do it"
My advice - buy the Shimano RS80s from Excel Sports and do not look back. I did, have been riding them for about 12 months, and I love them.
For great quality big-name wheels, it is hard to beat the weight for the price - current price at Excel is $578 for wheels just over 1500g. Compare Kysrium Elites at over 1700g for over $600. They are "carbon fiber bonded to an aluminum rim" which means they are not full carbon, but they are still nice and stiff, with a really smooth ride, but are only half the thickness of normal aluminium, and you don't need special brake pads. They still look like carbon too, which is cool.
Ultegra steel freehubs take a real beating, and despite just 16 spokes front and 20 rear, they still support a good sized mid-weight like us (Shimano has no rated weight limit for them - Excel reckoned they would handle 220 at least), while being light and fast.
They are effectively Dura-Ace rims at a fraction of the price. Do it"
#22
CAADdict
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
#23
Senior Member
Ksyrium Elites are only 1560-80g. https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...8536.41.1.html
I'm not all that concerned with weight, but I have owned one set of Mavics and one set of Shimanos. The Mavics were 100g over their listed weight and the shimanos were 40g under. I ended up moving on from both because I prefer wheels with non-proprietary spokes.
Last edited by canam73; 12-31-11 at 05:31 PM.
#24
CAADdict
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
According to the same site the RS-80s are only 1461g and recommended: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...405.323.0.html They sure want more money there than at Excel, though.
I'm not all that concerned with weight, but I have owned one set of Mavics and one set of Shimanos. The Mavics were 100g over their listed weight and the shimanos were 40g under. I ended up moving on from both because I prefer wheels with non-proprietary spokes.
I'm not all that concerned with weight, but I have owned one set of Mavics and one set of Shimanos. The Mavics were 100g over their listed weight and the shimanos were 40g under. I ended up moving on from both because I prefer wheels with non-proprietary spokes.
Edit:
$900. more?!
![Twitchy](images/smilies/twitchy.gif)
#25
Senior Member