bikerjp

I saw these today at performance and they seemed pretty nice. They are perpetually on sale, it seems, for $500 and next time they do a 20% off deal I could get them for $400. I know the BF approved answer to any wheel question is Psimet, but I'll probably make an impulsive decision sometime when I get fed up with the stock wheels.

Anyone know what is so "special" about these and why they cost less than "normal" ones? I read a comment that they are 2008 model but who knows how accurate that is and they don't like they've been sitting in a warehouse for a couple years. Are they still a good wheel for $4-500?

Thanks.

Steve90068

It's an older heavier model. Not that "special" but decent wheels for the price.

giantdefy

some differences I noticed are: Non-ceramic bearing, decals vs painted logos.

klages

they're the 'special ed' version of the wheel. infer what you wish.

bikerjp

Well, they seem decent. Just not sure if they are worth what they are asking and how much inferior they are to the regular ones. If it's just the lack of ceramic bearings and that's it, then maybe they are fine. I don't think I am good enough to notice the difference in bearings and for half the cost that might be worth it. Thanks for the info.

Butcher

The nipples are not alloy, hubs are not SL versions, regular bearings, heavier..... They may be Special Edition but they are not the same or even better. That said, I like Eastons and I think they are a good deal [just not real SLX's].

bikerjp

Thanks. I think I see the diff now.

Hubs: R4 vs R4 SL (SL must mean ceramic somehow)
Weight: 1472 g vs 1398 g (not a big difference)
Nipples: doesn't say vs alloy (not sure how much that matters)

So if that's pretty much it hard to see how spending another $300-400 is worth it. If I see a better deal it might be worth grabbing a set. Although if I found "real" SLXs for a good price then maybe I'll grab those.

Thanks for the help.

Butcher

R4 and R4SL are more than a bearing change. They reduced the weight of the hub/freehub by extra machining. The alloy nipples are red and the SE version is black [brass probably].
Either way, are they worth the difference, it's up to you.