I just ordered a 2006 1000R Full Carbon with Dura Ace from Randall Scott (RS) that comes with the FSA RD400. I have seen a lot of negative discussion on these rims. People say they are weak, spokes breaking, tough to mount tires, spindles breaking, etc. People havce alaso commented that FSA may not have the most customer oriented support. When I inquired about swapping about for some Shimano's or Mavics at purchase (offering to pay the difference), the guys at RS said I was crazy and at worst, I should sell the FSA rims new on EBay and buy somehting else. They did agree it was the one "weak area" on the bike relative to Dura Ace and full carbon set up.

Should I stick with the FSA's or try to sell/swap, etc. ?

If I stick with them, what treads work best on the FSA RD400?

175 lb rider - 5'9" worth mentioning

I've had two sets of them and while I would recommend the front wheel (stiff, light, kinda aero), the back wheels suck.

My first wheel broke a spoke after 1000 miles. Oh, and did I mention it was on a 45 MPH descent...
They rebuilt the wheel with a new rim and spokes. The tension was so high on the spokes, that they split the rim where the drive side spokes pass through the rim.

Second rear wheel came and I ride it for about a week. It always felt as though my legs were heavy. I took the wheel off and the hub would barely turn.

I wasn't going for a third time around. I'm looking for a 24 hole hub for the back to rebuild the wheel with. Certain folks deep in the industry (who shall remain nameless) don't have good things to say about the wheels. Evidently, they are having serious QC probs at the factory in Taiwan and a lot of the wheel are getting rebuilt once in Cali.

My confidence is high with FSA for headsets, but that's about it!

I'd trade out for some Ksyrium Elites.

I just ordered a 2006 1000R Full Carbon with Dura Ace from Randall Scott (RS) that comes with the FSA RD400. I have seen a lot of negative discussion on these rims. People say they are weak, spokes breaking, tough to mount tires, spindles breaking, etc. People havce alaso commented that FSA may not have the most customer oriented support. When I inquired about swapping about for some Shimano's or Mavics at purchase (offering to pay the difference), the guys at RS said I was crazy and at worst, I should sell the FSA rims new on EBay and buy somehting else. They did agree it was the one "weak area" on the bike relative to Dura Ace and full carbon set up.

Should I stick with the FSA's or try to sell/swap, etc. ?

If I stick with them, what treads work best on the FSA RD400?

Here, you think you have bought the primo bike for the immediate future and you feel the wheels are suspect. I sense you hate them all ready and you have not even thrown your leg over the bike yet. If that is the case, I just bought a set of wheels from oddsandendos.com. I'm not worthy of the equipment I'm riding, they are way too good for me(DT Swiss R1.1 rims/bladed spokes/Speedcific hubs). Just spectacular wheels. I have also been hearing positive comments on the Performance Titan wheels as well. Sell 'em, you'll be watching your wheels for the next year waiting for them to implode and fold up like a cheap card table.

I am about your height and weight and have used a set of RD-400s for the last year.

Mine broke a spoke at 384 miles while crossing a busy and major intersection so it was not safe to stop until I reached the other side. The broken spoke (rear wheel forget if it was drive or non-drive but it was the usual breakage for this wheel) whipped my seat and chain stays for a dozen yards or so and scratched up the paint. Damage that no warranty will cover.

Called FSA, got an RMA and sent the wheels in along with the skewers which had been recalled. Got the wheels back about 2 weeks later sans skewers, had to call back in and they sent out a set of real cheapie skewers that I could have gotten for a few bucks at the local LBS but they did have FSA labels...ooouuu.

The wheel set themselvs are not the greatest. Not very smooth hubs but they haven't gotten out of true at least.

If I was droping the coin you are for a new bike I'd have them swap out the wheels or give you cash for them. Why deal with the headache. I'm sure they got a really good deal on them and the resale value on Ebay is crap. I'm sure they know this and you'll be lucky to get more than $200 for the set.

I'm not too fond of Mavics stuff. Go shimano or oddandendos.

uhmm thanks fo the insight. these will be on my black list