Mavic Ksyrium Equipe at approx $350 vs the Mavic Ksyrium Elite $500

whats the diffrence - I am looking for a good set of race/traing wheels and need to keep it below $500 but the $350 looks real tempting, are the elites worth the extra $150? Anybody got a handle on these wheelsets that could help me out?

Mavic Ksyrium Equipe at approx $350 vs the Mavic Ksyrium Elite $500

whats the diffrence - I am looking for a good set of race/traing wheels and need to keep it below $500 but the $350 looks real tempting, are the elites worth the extra $150? Anybody got a handle on these wheelsets that could help me out?

All I can offer is you can find the Elites on eBay all the time for around $400. I just got a new in box set for that about a month ago with no problems.

I was wondering the same. I have gone to the Mavic website and there is a slight weight difference between the two but I have no idea where since the rim appears to be the same. The hubs are exactly the same between the two. The only place that I could see any possible difference is in the spokes. It's not worth the extra money IMO unless you are on a level where 100 grams can mean the difference between 1st and 2nd place. If you ride at that level though you are probably being paid to ride. I hope this helps at least a bit.

First of all the equipe's are much heavier (135g) !
They have heavier rims with more straight gauge spokes (20-24).
The Elites have a Maxtal rim(same as SSC-SL, but not shaved) with a lower count bladed spokes (18-20).
The hubs are the same.

Go for the Elites if you cant afford the SSC-SL's! They save you weight where you need it the most on your bike! The rim and spokes!

If I was going to spend less then $500 I would get the Excel Sports threat wheel!
For 490 bucks you get:
King hubs(the best!)
Awesome 14/17 revolution spokes
And aero bombproof CXP-33 rims
http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Threat+Wheelset&vendorCode=EXCEL&major=1&minor=24
Plus they weigh much less!


This post is my good deed for the day!

I'll put on the broken record again.

Record or DA hubs 28H
Sapim CX-Ray spokes 3x
Sapim Pollyax alloy nipples
DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims

Best no-bull road wheel set you can build and lighter than Ksyrium SSC SL. If you prefer slightly more durable go 32-36H with brass nipples.

Any idea where someone could get
Sapim spokes and
DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims

in truth i have never even heard of DT rims (spokes of course).

thanks in advance.
jhr

I'll put on the broken record again.

Record or DA hubs 28H
Sapim CX-Ray spokes 3x
Sapim Pollyax alloy nipples
DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims

Best no-bull road wheel set you can build and lighter than Ksyrium SSC SL. If you prefer slightly more durable go 32-36H with brass nipples.Totally agree. Nothing against K's, but handbuilts are the way to go.

As far as the K's, the Equpies do have heavier rims, but the material (Maxtal alu) is not different, the eyelets are. The Elites use an aluminum screw-in eyelet similar to the SL's, while the Equipes have a more conventional single stainless eyelet. Another difference is that these rims, having conventional nipples are conventional rims in the sense that they require rim tape

Spokes are different too. Equipes use more of 'em and they're not bladed.

Get handbuilts for your training wheels. divve's build suggestion is a far better wheel than the K's IMO.

Any idea where someone could get
Sapim spokes and
DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims

in truth i have never even heard of DT rims (spokes of course).

thanks in advance.
jhr

The new DT rims are basically the OP killer. Better made, more consistent quality and weight, and slightly lighter to boot.

http://www.dtswiss.com/index.asp?fuseaction=rims.bikedetail&id=8

I haven't seen the DT rims separately for sale online yet. Check out their site for a list of dealers. I'm sure anyone who sells their spokes will be able to get the rims as well.

You can get Sapim spokes from the distributor or any dealer:
http://www.thorusa.com/product10.htm

This guy will build the wheels and get all parts if you wish:
http://www.oddsandendos.com/

The new DT rims are basically the OP killer. Better made, more consistent quality and weight, and slightly lighter to boot.

http://www.dtswiss.com/index.asp?fuseaction=rims.bikedetail&id=8

I haven't seen the DT rims separately for sale online yet. Check out their site for a list of dealers. I'm sure anyone who sells their spokes will be able to get the rims as well.

You can get Sapim spokes from the distributor or any dealer:
http://www.thorusa.com/product10.htm

This guy will build the wheels and get all parts if you wish:
http://www.oddsandendos.com/

If you are on a budget you are going to want to avoid the CXrays spokes, as they are really expensive right now- especially in the US. DT revolutions are a better price value, although not quite a strong evidently.

The DT rims are really nice. You could save some money going with Velocity rims as well.

Get the elites,bulletproff and i think getawaybike has the for $429.

I see I thought you were my buddy? :)

That would make a nice wheel!
Never seen the DT rims.
I am sure they are nice.

If you can't torment your buddy, who can you torment? :)

Mavic Ksyrium Equipe at approx $350 vs the Mavic Ksyrium Elite $500

whats the diffrence - I am looking for a good set of race/traing wheels and need to keep it below $500 but the $350 looks real tempting, are the elites worth the extra $150? Anybody got a handle on these wheelsets that could help me out?


Just some feedback on the Equipes - The came stock on my Specialized Allez Comp - I was a little wary at first (being a new wheel) - I have found them to be a very good training wheel over the 1st 1k miles. They are stiff and strong - They hold up well considering I weigh at 205 lbs.and dont exactly train on the best of roads. The are definitley not as light as the Elites but I think they would be a good value for training and club rides. IMHO