Review: Mavic Ksyrium SL's = PEDs
07-26-07, 06:45 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 218
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Review: Mavic Ksyrium SL's = PEDs
Based on research and help from BF'ers here (esp 55/Rad), I dropped my Bontrager Selects and upgraded to Mavic Ksyrium SL's (2006 model on eBay for $530). I had my doubts about how much they would help performance wise cuz frankly, I'm a sucky rider.
I put them on today and they absolutely flew. I should be banned from something for using these.
I have a quick, moderately hilly 12 mile route I do after work which I call my Individual Time Trial. This year, due to a knee injury, my best effort could only produce a 13.7mph average and most times it was 13.4mph. Today with the Mavics, despite the fact I was tired, hungry and feeling less than 100%, that avg went straight up to 14.4mph.
I noticed a few things:
1. ala Greg Lemond, climbing the hills didn't feel any easier but I was able to turn bigger gears which produced much faster climbs.
2. The real area I felt a difference was in rolling resistance. Whenever I expected the bike to slow down, it just kept going. The thing rocketed down the hills to the point I had to awkwardly change the arc of some turns to avoid crashing.
3. They felt alot more stable and steady when I put my head down on the flats and grinded.
I still remain skeptical about whether they'll survive these Jersey roads but hey, you guys already proved me wrong on the performance angle! Man, I'm really looking forward to my distance ride this wknd.
I put them on today and they absolutely flew. I should be banned from something for using these.
I have a quick, moderately hilly 12 mile route I do after work which I call my Individual Time Trial. This year, due to a knee injury, my best effort could only produce a 13.7mph average and most times it was 13.4mph. Today with the Mavics, despite the fact I was tired, hungry and feeling less than 100%, that avg went straight up to 14.4mph.
I noticed a few things:
1. ala Greg Lemond, climbing the hills didn't feel any easier but I was able to turn bigger gears which produced much faster climbs.
2. The real area I felt a difference was in rolling resistance. Whenever I expected the bike to slow down, it just kept going. The thing rocketed down the hills to the point I had to awkwardly change the arc of some turns to avoid crashing.
3. They felt alot more stable and steady when I put my head down on the flats and grinded.
I still remain skeptical about whether they'll survive these Jersey roads but hey, you guys already proved me wrong on the performance angle! Man, I'm really looking forward to my distance ride this wknd.
07-26-07, 06:49 PM
#2
Cat 6 Wheel-Sucker
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central New England
Posts: 310
Bikes: Pinarello, Cannondale, Peugeot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cool! I just picked up a set of these ($260 NEW!!!) and can't wait to get them installed. Looking forward to it!
07-26-07, 07:10 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Under the Thumb
Posts: 1,362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-26-07, 08:02 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 218
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-26-07, 08:27 PM
#5
Cat 6 Wheel-Sucker
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central New England
Posts: 310
Bikes: Pinarello, Cannondale, Peugeot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Local shop clearing 'em out - just got the timing right I guess.
07-26-07, 08:56 PM
#6
Cat None
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,508
Bikes: LOOK KG 461, LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er 0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I loved my SL's. The only reason I'm not riding them now is because I bought the ES wheels which are basically the SL's with more bling and slightly less weight. The only reason I bought the ES's was a 25% off deal my LBS gave me on them. I still need to sell the SL's which is what I told my wife I'd do...they are sitting in the garage in the wheel bags that came with the ES wheels.
07-26-07, 09:12 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UCSB
Posts: 666
Bikes: 2006 Felt F3C
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I loved my SL's. The only reason I'm not riding them now is because I bought the ES wheels which are basically the SL's with more bling and slightly less weight. The only reason I bought the ES's was a 25% off deal my LBS gave me on them. I still need to sell the SL's which is what I told my wife I'd do...they are sitting in the garage in the wheel bags that came with the ES wheels.
07-26-07, 10:19 PM
#9
Former Hoarder
I picked up my SL's as part of a deal. I didn't really need nor want them. They are black and don't match any bike I've got going, but I took them anyway figuring I could always flip them.
I decided to check them out and was immediately surprised. There are very few wheels that make me go "wow" anymore and I have to say I was really impressed with their acceleration and stiffness. Rode them 5 more times and then took them off the bike for aesthetic purposes. Then I went and bought a used set of silver Elites and was equally impressed.
Now I have these SL's - I guess I must find something to build for them to go on.
Also, $260 for a brand new set sounds like a steal...literally.
55/Rad
I decided to check them out and was immediately surprised. There are very few wheels that make me go "wow" anymore and I have to say I was really impressed with their acceleration and stiffness. Rode them 5 more times and then took them off the bike for aesthetic purposes. Then I went and bought a used set of silver Elites and was equally impressed.
Now I have these SL's - I guess I must find something to build for them to go on.
Also, $260 for a brand new set sounds like a steal...literally.
55/Rad
__________________
07-26-07, 10:29 PM
#10
Cat None
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,508
Bikes: LOOK KG 461, LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er 0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-26-07, 10:49 PM
#11
Jacko nose historian
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Salt Lake City!
Posts: 671
Bikes: 2006 52cm Trek 2200, Specialized Rockhopper (gets infrequent use unfortunately)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My question is are they too stiff for long distance rides. I have a friend who says so. I believe he replaced ksyriums with some bonty raceXlites for that reason.
07-26-07, 10:54 PM
#12
Cat None
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,508
Bikes: LOOK KG 461, LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er 0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rolling resistance, I believe is going to be much more a result of the tires, tire pressure, and your hubs.
My question is are they too stiff for long distance rides. I have a friend who says so. I believe he replaced ksyriums with some bonty raceXlites for that reason.
My question is are they too stiff for long distance rides. I have a friend who says so. I believe he replaced ksyriums with some bonty raceXlites for that reason.
07-26-07, 10:56 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I love mine, but be aware that they'll catch a crosswind. At least a lot more than the Open Pros I was riding before.
