Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Best wheelset for around $600

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Best wheelset for around $600

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-30-11, 08:08 PM
  #1  
undisputed83
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
undisputed83's Avatar
 
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!
undisputed83 is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 08:15 PM
  #2  
DGlenday
Senior Member
 
DGlenday's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 1,248

Bikes: Cannondale, Trek

Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by undisputed83
...Ksyrium Elites ... I'd be reducing the weight of my bike by 250 grams...
How much do those wheels weigh? (And how much do you weigh?)

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...
DGlenday is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 08:21 PM
  #3  
undisputed83
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
undisputed83's Avatar
 
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.
undisputed83 is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 08:34 PM
  #4  
onikazi
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I would go with williams system 30's or 30X's. $489. for some well built wheels.
onikazi is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 08:41 PM
  #5  
undisputed83
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
undisputed83's Avatar
 
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 checked those Williams wheels out, their interesting!
undisputed83 is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 08:44 PM
  #6  
George
Senior Member
 
George's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Katy Texas
Posts: 5,672

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix

Liked 55 Times in 31 Posts
Originally Posted by onikazi
I would go with williams system 30's or 30X's. $489. for some well built wheels.
Great wheels.
__________________
George
George is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 08:49 PM
  #7  
knucklesandwich
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 909

Bikes: Kona Jake (2006)

Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Ultegra hubs
HED C2 rims
knucklesandwich is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 09:28 PM
  #8  
Fogflip
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
+1 for souls I am loving mine super light feel good and so far sturdy and you will have 100 leftover!
Fogflip is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 09:31 PM
  #9  
dejansen
Senior Member
 
dejansen's Avatar
 
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/)
dejansen is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 09:41 PM
  #10  
bianchi10
King Hoternot
 
bianchi10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 5,255

Bikes: 2015 Cannondale Evo Hi mod

Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm 185 as well with the boyd vitesse 30mm wheelset. I love them
bianchi10 is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 11:08 PM
  #11  
undisputed83
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
undisputed83's Avatar
 
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!!!
undisputed83 is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 11:14 PM
  #12  
2ndGen
CAADdict
 
2ndGen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756

Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?

Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by undisputed83
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!
Ksyrium Elites are the best you can buy for your budget.
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.


Originally Posted by undisputed83
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!!!
There you go...prices and all.

https://www.bikesoul.com/2009/index.p...id=2&Itemid=10
2ndGen is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 11:22 PM
  #13  
undisputed83
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
undisputed83's Avatar
 
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?
undisputed83 is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 11:28 PM
  #14  
DGlenday
Senior Member
 
DGlenday's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 1,248

Bikes: Cannondale, Trek

Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by DGlenday
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...
Originally Posted by Fogflip
+1 for souls I am loving mine super light feel good and so far sturdy and you will have 100 leftover!
Originally Posted by dejansen
Soul 2.0
Soul, soul, soul, SOLD

Originally Posted by undisputed83
Right now I tip the scales at about 185...
Shouldn't be a problem, IMO.
DGlenday is offline  
Old 12-30-11, 11:43 PM
  #15  
2ndGen
CAADdict
 
2ndGen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756

Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?

Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by undisputed83
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?
It's a known fact. Pro teams train on them. Plus, Mavic has been in the business for over a century.
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 +.



They are the Chuck Norris of wheels!


Last edited by 2ndGen; 12-31-11 at 12:01 AM.
2ndGen is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 12:47 AM
  #16  
M_Wales
Retired USAF, C-130 Guy
 
M_Wales's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cape Carteret, NC.
Posts: 867

Bikes: Shopping

Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
www.psimet.com

Have a set built...

Last edited by M_Wales; 12-31-11 at 12:57 AM.
M_Wales is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 04:28 AM
  #17  
undisputed83
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
undisputed83's Avatar
 
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.
undisputed83 is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 10:10 AM
  #18  
2ndGen
CAADdict
 
2ndGen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756

Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?

Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by undisputed83
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.
The two that you are ruling out have undeniable advantages over all the other you are considering.
2ndGen is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 01:27 PM
  #19  
undisputed83
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
undisputed83's Avatar
 
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'm also ready to rule out the Souls
undisputed83 is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 02:55 PM
  #20  
Painful Chafe
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.
Painful Chafe is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 04:50 PM
  #21  
and1homer
Slower Member
 
and1homer's Avatar
 
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"
and1homer is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 05:14 PM
  #22  
2ndGen
CAADdict
 
2ndGen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756

Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?

Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by and1homer

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.
Ksyrium Elites are only 1560-80g. https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...8536.41.1.html

2ndGen is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 05:28 PM
  #23  
canam73
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Haunchyville
Posts: 6,407
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by 2ndGen
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.

Last edited by canam73; 12-31-11 at 05:31 PM.
canam73 is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 05:53 PM
  #24  
2ndGen
CAADdict
 
2ndGen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: BF Heaven
Posts: 6,756

Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-?

Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Originally Posted by canam73
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.
In your opinion, which set performed better?

Edit:
$900. more?!
2ndGen is offline  
Old 12-31-11, 05:57 PM
  #25  
canam73
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Haunchyville
Posts: 6,407
Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by 2ndGen
In your opinion, which set performed better?
I can't comment. Both came on a bike, one that was mine, one my wife's. Each was ridden for maybe a season with no issues and sold.
canam73 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Your Privacy Choices -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.