I think this sounds like a great deal: Colorado Cyclist has 07 Mavic ES's for $699.00. Brand new, full warrenty, but no bags because they are OE's. 700c clinchers. Does this sound like a steal? I've already placed my order. They are backordered now they say, so it will be a couple weeks. They built me an awesome custom set for my mtb, so I like them. Is this a good deal? Should I just step up and get the new R-sys (for 1400!) ? I want a good set of climbers

That's a good deal if you wanted the Mavics however, I'm sure you could do better. Mavic's hubs are mediocre at best. I don't like the whole proprietary system wheel concept and would much prefer spending my money picking top end aftermarket parts so you get the best of everything. But many people have ridden millions of trouble-free miles on Mavic wheels. I don't think any wheels are going to make you significantly faster so go with whatever makes you happy. If you really want to do better at climbing, spend the bucks on a Power Tap.

That's a good deal if you wanted the Mavics however, I'm sure you could do better. Mavic's hubs are mediocre at best. I don't like the whole proprietary system wheel concept and would much prefer spending my money picking top end aftermarket parts so you get the best of everything. But many people have ridden millions of trouble-free miles on Mavic wheels. I don't think any wheels are going to make you significantly faster so go with whatever makes you happy. If you really want to do better at climbing, spend the bucks on a Power Tap.

+1. And I own some Mavics. $699 is a good price for the ES's, but that doesn't mean it's a screaming value for a $700 wheelset.

CC also has last year's dura ace wheelsets for a bit less, $470.
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/display/25191/

What makes you think those wheels will make you faster at climbing? They aren't that light (1615g).

Personally if I had that much money itching to be spent I would get a powertap like Kickit said. Much more potential to make you faster.

The powertap is too much cash for me. The Cycloeps? Just the rear wheel is 1500-2000. I'm thinking custom wheel now. Get some Tune or White hubs and just build them up. I've been following a thread on Ligero who makes some awesome wheels.

It's a good deal.

Plus any time you mention Ksyiums on the board you have to expect to get flamed a bit.

I'm learning. Roadies can be touchy about wheels! Anyway, I think I am talked out of them. I'm going to have ligero make me some customs around tune hubs, which is a better hub, and I'm sensitive when it comes to hubs. Which rim.....

I have noticed in several lbs's an aversion to custom wheels. I think it's because they can't sell them.

Any thoughts on this new attack plan?

You can pick up a powertap sl on ebay for around $800--either a brand new one built into a decent rim (DT or an open pro) or the hub and get it built up. I got a 24-hole one that way (factory sealed, with the new 2.4 computer and coded HRM) and built it into a Reynolds rim. Been using it for six months now--not a single issue with it and it has completely changed how I train. I worried a bit that it would be just a toy, but power-based training, particularly having quantitative measures like training stress, really is a huge leap in training methodology. I've also found it far more useful in racing than I would have suspected and race with it all the time.

I think this sounds like a great deal: Colorado Cyclist has 07 Mavic ES's for $699.00. Brand new, full warrenty, but no bags because they are OE's. 700c clinchers. Does this sound like a steal? I've already placed my order. They are backordered now they say, so it will be a couple weeks. They built me an awesome custom set for my mtb, so I like them. Is this a good deal? Should I just step up and get the new R-sys (for 1400!) ? I want a good set of climbers

just recieved my es's from cc last night. they came with 2 bags and tools!

Competitive Cyclist has Eurus for $650. A better wheelset than the Mavic imho.

"I have noticed in several lbs's an aversion to custom wheels. I think it's because they can't sell them. "

higher profit in packaged, boutique wheels and an easier sell. no shop time expended on stocking parts, training staff to build or repair warranties. Warranties are someone else's problem, just ship back to manufactuer. Showed up with my damaged rear wheel and the first thing out of the mechs mouth before he said they couldn't fix them was "why don't you buy the krysiums, there only 10% heavier?"

I've just about given up selling custom builds. For $600, I can put together something lighter, "stiffer", and more durable. Unfortunately, the $600 customer reads too much into what the internet says and I can't compete with that. "Alrighty...Ksyrium Elites...silver or black?"

Regarding the ESs for so cheap...probably because they're not going to be 2008 wheels. I'm surprised they're listed as "backordered" as opposed to "no longer in stock."

I got my ES's from CC at the $699 price and they came with wheels bags, titanium skewers, and tools. I ordered them on Oct. 3rd. I heard later that Back Country and Performance may have had them at a better price. The skewers didn't have a design to match the theme on the wheels so I was kind of disapointed. I've had earlier versions of this wheel and like the ride but I mainly got them because the red matches the color highlights of my Felt FC3. :thumbsup:

I've just about given up selling custom builds. For $600, I can put together something lighter, "stiffer", and more durable. Unfortunately, the $600 customer reads too much into what the internet says and I can't compete with that. "Alrighty...Ksyrium Elites...silver or black?"

Regarding the ESs for so cheap...probably because they're not going to be 2008 wheels. I'm surprised they're listed as "backordered" as opposed to "no longer in stock."


+1 totally agree.. many custom wheel builders who can provide lighter more personal wheels and easier to upkeep maintain and true since they use regular parts etc... rather than some special spokes or hubs etc...

That's a good deal if you wanted the Mavics however, I'm sure you could do better. Mavic's hubs are mediocre at best. I don't like the whole proprietary system wheel concept and would much prefer spending my money picking top end aftermarket parts so you get the best of everything. But many people have ridden millions of trouble-free miles on Mavic wheels. I don't think any wheels are going to make you significantly faster so go with whatever makes you happy. If you really want to do better at climbing, spend the bucks on a Power Tap.

What the heck don't you like about Mavic hubs? I think they're excellent -- never actually met anybody who had anything negative to say about the hubs, even if I do know folks who aren't wild about the Ks as a wheel set (as well as plenty who love them). The Ks are not super light wheels and they're not really especially aero either -- at full retail I suppose I might run -- but they are plenty light for most purposes and at least other versions have been very strong, durable, low maintenance, all around road wheels. I dunno -- I like 'em. I had a set of the old SSCs and just picked up a set of the SL3 tubular wheels for just over 400 bucks and I'm pretty pleased with the deal.

dougrocky, Performance did have a slightly better deal on the Mavic ESes... i ordered some. They were $849.98 minus 20% off = 679.98... and if you are member, well you get the extra 10% back in credit. However, after reading this thread and doing more research I am starting to think I should return them. For a couple hundred more I could get some Rolf Elan Aero wheels instead. I already own a pair of Rolf Apex and I love them... I put a good 3000~4000 hard miles on them and have had zero problems. I thought I would get a nicer set and the Mavic ES seemed like a good deal.
http://www.precisiontandems.com/rolfwheelselan.htm

Anyone have any opinions on Mavic ES vs. Rolf Elan?

I've just about given up selling custom builds. For $600, I can put together something lighter, "stiffer", and more durable. Unfortunately, the $600 customer reads too much into what the internet says and I can't compete with that. "Alrighty...Ksyrium Elites...silver or black?"

Regarding the ESs for so cheap...probably because they're not going to be 2008 wheels. I'm surprised they're listed as "backordered" as opposed to "no longer in stock."


Well, I started off a 600 customer, but ended up a 970 customer with the customs, But I have Tune hubs, possibly the best hubs made. I have heard them described as "light German Chris Kings." My builder guarantees that at 1350g, these wheels will support my 200lb hyde for thousands of miles with minimal maintainance. The hubs will be gold, which will match my pretty bike, and there won't be another set like them. I like that! When you read about the ES's in reviews, there is always a tale of a big guy picking broken spokes out of his cassette with one hand and calling for a ride home with the other. As for the Rolf, †he Elan Aero weight caps at 180lbs. The RS version caps at 200lbs, which could work for me, and at 1360, they are about the same weight as the customs I'm having built, and comparably priced. But if you read the Rolf reviews, there are customer service issues with Rolf, and durability issues as well, though some people swear by them. This time I'll take my chances on the customs...

It's a decent deal. Mavic has sneaked one by people, though, when $700 is a deal on the $1100 top-end wheel, which really isn't much diff than when $550 was a deal on the $850 wheel, or whatever it was.

Still, they are great wheels, whatever anybody says. Mavic's hubs are very high-quality, as are Campy's. Sure, a skilled builder could do a lighter wheelset for the same price, but that isn't what you asked.

It's a decent deal. Mavic has sneaked one by people, though, when $700 is a deal on the $1100 top-end wheel, which really isn't much diff than when $550 was a deal on the $850 wheel, or whatever it was.

Still, they are great wheels, whatever anybody says. Mavic's hubs are very high-quality, as are Campy's. Sure, a skilled builder could do a lighter wheelset for the same price, but that isn't what you asked.

I have about 8K miles on a pair of SLs and have done zero maintenance on them without any problems. Do custom wheels hold up as well? My only gripe is the loud freewheel on the Ksyriums.

So I have question here... is $679.98 a good price for the Mavic ES wheel? How is it as a climbing/all around wheel and/or would it be better to fork out the cash for the Rolf Elan wheel? I am about 150 lbs. Although everyone says Mavics are very sturdy tires that require no maintenance, it seems that may not be the case with the ES (but boy they sure do look cool!).

My order just showed up at Performance so the wheels are waiting for me...

I, too have a set of the "original Ksyrium SSC's" about 5 years old, with approximately 8000 miles(so far) and never had to true them or do any repairs. I usually weigh around 170. I also have a friend who had these same exact model wheels, maybe weighed 180 average and put approximately 15000 miles on them over several years time(including a lot of wet-weather training) with no repairs or bearing replacement. I don't know how the different series of Ksyriums since these hold up, though.

Looks like Performance is having a closeout on Mavic Wheels... and I believe they have a 15% off deal going on this weekend.

2007 Mavic Ksyrium ES Tubular Rear Wheel
Reg: $609.99
Sale: $379.99

2007 Mavic Ksyrium ES Tubular Front Wheel
Reg: $539.99
Sale: $339.99

For the pair, it comes out to 719.98 - 15% = $611.98. I think I need to ask them to refund me the difference for the pair I just bought and have yet to pick up. I am still debating about whether I want to keep them.

I have a pair of Ksyrium Elites that started out very nicely, but after 4,000 miles I've started having a lot of trouble keeping the rear wheel true. In the end I was having to touch it up every 20 miles or so to keep it from rubbing the brake shoe (it sucks to have to stop several times in the middle of a ride and adjust your spokes).

Finally I sat down one night and spent several hours with the truing stand trying to work out the spoke tension while keeping it true and round and after that I only have to re-true every week or so.

The front wheel is a rock and has never given me a moment's trouble.

I'm planning on having my LBS build me a rear wheel with a 32-spoke open pro on an ultegra hub and see whether that holds up better.

FWIW my weight has been between 175 and 185 and the roads around here can be pretty rough.

Do custom wheels hold up as well?

Well built ones do. I trained and raced on a set o' 32-spoke customs for about 12,000 miles before a car destroyed them. They never needed a thing, and they were pretty light rims and spokes, too.

I have had good luck with Ksyriums and Eurus too.

So I have question here... is $679.98 a good price for the Mavic ES wheel? How is it as a climbing/all around wheel and/or would it be better to fork out the cash for the Rolf Elan wheel? I am about 150 lbs. Although everyone says Mavics are very sturdy tires that require no maintenance, it seems that may not be the case with the ES (but boy they sure do look cool!).

My order just showed up at Performance so the wheels are waiting for me...

You'll be very happy with any Ksyriums. I have a buddy (big Clydesdale) with over 15,000 miles on the original Ksyriums; no problems. I have the SLs -- they're a primo wheelset -- reliable, fast. They look cool, but not as cool as the ES.