TheOtherZach

On Monday we'll be putting in an order for a custom geometry Gunnar and my bike shop has a fairly good deal on a pair of Mavik Ksyrium wheels. Do you guys think that would be a dumb wheelset to run for a 170 pound non-racer?

Also...

I currently have some Dura Ace 9speed bar ends , a 105 triple crank (6503), and a 105 FD (5503) laying around. What I would REALLY like to do is build the thing up with full SRAM Rival on day one. Unfortunately I can't really justify spending the money on a full group when I've got perfectly good parts available. I'm thinking of mixing and matching while slowly switching from Shimano to SRAM.

If I run the bar end shifters in friction, they would work with a 10 speed Rival rear derailer, right? Any problems running a 10 speed chain with a crankset made for 9 speed ones?

Thanks so much for the help, guys!

MrCjolsen

If the wheels are a good deal get them. Lightweight wheels make the bike nicer to ride regardless of whether or not you are racing.

As for the shifters, if you use a 9 speed cassette, I'm pretty sure that shifters would work indexed as well as friction. I don't think the derailleur makes a difference. At any rate, in friction mode, it should work no problem. I also think the 10 speed chain would work with the 9 speed cranks.

AngryScientist 

you can friction shift any rear combination, so yes, what you want to do will work, including the 10-sp chain with the 9-sp crankset.

Chris_F

From what I understand those Ksyriums are pretty bulletproof wheels. There are far worse choices for everyday wheels IMO.

AngryScientist 

yea, most folks would consider ksyriums training wheels, not race wheels.

bostongarden

I'd be one of those folks

TheOtherZach

Thanks for the replies, all! I didn't even think of running a 9 speed cassette with the Rival rear.

I guess there is some problem with SRAM mountain 9sp rear detailers and friction shifters and I wasn't sure if it extended to the SRAM road ones or not. Sounds like not, so that's good news.

Also good news about the Ksyriums, too. Think I'll go with those.

MrCjolsen

If you want to use index shifting, I think your SRAM derailleur should work with it. Shifters and cassettes are generally what need to match when it comes to indexing. If not, find a cheap 9 speed derailleur and use that. I have the DA bar end shifters with a Tiagra rear derailleur and love it.

Basil Moss

Ksyriums are heavier, less aero, and less easy to service in the event of damage than a good pair of handbuilts. So I consider them neither as race wheels, nor really as practical training wheels. There's no special reason why you shouldn't get them if you think they look really sweet, but I suggest that you seriously consider some handbuilts in the same price range first.