Easton EA50 V Fulcrum 5 v Mavic Ksyrium Equipe ?

[koro]

Hi Ya,

I know this is subjective, but would appreciate your comments. I have convinced myself, that rather than buy a 2nd hand wheel (for the turbo trainer), I should put that money to a new set...

I am a newbie to this, have read various comments in these forums about these wheels. I weigh 13.5 stone, just started riding with a club, and looking at doing the odd sportive. I had read here somewhere that someone thought the Mavic were now overpriced, for what they are.. although I would stretch my budget for them, if they were viewed to be better than the other 2. I currently have Mavic CXP 22, on my Giant Defy.

If it was your choice which would you go for?

Cheers

 

[gbb]

Hiya Koro...
I was in the same position a month or so ago...i really fancied the Eastons and so nearly ordered some, but reading reviews they seemed prone to hub failure and especially spoke breakages. they will have been 2009 wheels i assume, but that put me off somewhat.

I went for the 2009 Racing 5s at Merlin Cycles, the reviews seemed much more positive for the 5's in general and reckoned, would i see that much difference between 2009's at £149 and 2011's at £200 to £250 ?
All i can say is i'm very happy with them. Only maybe done 500 miles, but still 100% true (although i only weigh 10.5 stone ) I did find the bearings a tad tight at first although i'm sure they'll free up with a few miles in them.

Eastons/Fulcrums ? they both seem to be swines to get tyres on, not sure how the mavics fare in that area.

 

[accountantpete]

Have a think about a Ksyrium SL rear wheel - £350 at CRC - and then upgrade the front when finances will allow.

This is a fantastic wheelset and you won't be thinking of needing to upgrade in 12 months time.

 

[koro]

Hiya Koro...
I was in the same position a month or so ago...i really fancied the Eastons and so nearly ordered some, but reading reviews they seemed prone to hub failure and especially spoke breakages. they will have been 2009 wheels i assume, but that put me off somewhat.

I went for the 2009 Racing 5s at Merlin Cycles, the reviews seemed much more positive for the 5's in general and reckoned, would i see that much difference between 2009's at £149 and 2011's at £200 to £250 ?
All i can say is i'm very happy with them. Only maybe done 500 miles, but still 100% true (although i only weigh 10.5 stone ) I did find the bearings a tad tight at first although i'm sure they'll free up with a few miles in them.

Eastons/Fulcrums ? they both seem to be swines to get tyres on, not sure how the mavics fare in that area.

Cheers gbb,

I read that also about the Eastons, so a bit apprehensive, but also read similar about the Fulcrums, so not sure what to think. I am glad that your experiance is good with them though. I am unsure if the price difference between the fulcrums and Mavics is worth it, have read that the Mavics are overpriced....

So, lol I guess its eenie meennie minee mo....

 

[koro]

Have a think about a Ksyrium SL rear wheel - £350 at CRC - and then upgrade the front when finances will allow.

This is a fantastic wheelset and you won't be thinking of needing to upgrade in 12 months time.

Thanks for that accountantpete, I did consider that also. Do you think there is a noticable difference, between these wheels?

 

[e-rider]

Easton are weeks away from launching a new range of wheels in the UK. I would expect the 2010 models to be discounted heavily once the new wheels reach the shops. Could be worth waiting.

Merlin cycles were already selling EA70s for £200 reduced from £380 (all gone now though)

 

[koro]

Easton are weeks away from launching a new range of wheels in the UK. I would expect the 2010 models to be discounted heavily once the new wheels reach the shops. Could be worth waiting.

Merlin cycles were already selling EA70s for £200 reduced from £380 (all gone now though)

Another good point, thanks..... Blimey, I`m not sure what to go for now..

 

[accountantpete]

Thanks for that accountantpete, I did consider that also. Do you think there is a noticable difference, between these wheels?

Have not used the Equipes - but virtually everyone I talk to who has say that the SL's are noticeably better.

And they are strong - I'm 13 stone and have had no problems.

 

[3narf]

As an aside, I must say I'm surprised by the popularity of these 'factory' wheels in recent years. What's the advantage over getting some handbuilt by a wheelbuilder?

 

[accountantpete]

As an aside, I must say I'm surprised by the popularity of these 'factory' wheels in recent years. What's the advantage over getting some handbuilt by a wheelbuilder?

They are a lot faster - although some people swear by handbuilts I'm not one of them. Wouldn't put them on me bike if you paid me.

 

[3narf]

Faster as in they get delivered quicker?

Re handbuilt - aren't these factory wheels handbuilt?

 

[koro]

I am now thinking about getting the Mavic Ksyrium Equipe. Only doubt that I have, is that I may be buying the name Ksyrium. Does anybody have any knowledge of these Equipes, are they worth the money?

Cheers
Koro

 

[zizou]

Did you end up getting the ksyriums equipes?

Have been looking at wheels today and being a bit of a tart quite like the look of the equipe in white and was wondering if they are good or if there is better value elsewhere?

 

[l4dva]

http://www.planet-x-...e-2011-wheelset


I just ordered a set of these..... they seemed to be the cheapest ksyrium elites i could find... i toyed with the idea of spending more on aero carbon rims for racing but i just can't justify it... i think alloy rims will be more practical in the long run.

i was torn between elites and the fulcrum racing 3's.... the fulcrums have great reviews everywhere.. the elites have good reviews too but there aren't as many reviews on them on the internet... i went for these elites over the fulcrums mainly because of the colours and they were cheaper. I don't like the look of the red decals on the fulcrums, just wouldn't work with my black and yellow boardmans and they were cheaper.. hopefully i have made the right choice?!?

Anyways all the mavic wheels seem to be slightly cheaper on planet x at the moment than from other websites, so if you do choose them planet x could be worth a look

EDIT:

OR.... to add another option into the mix you could buy my Ritchey wheels that came as standard on my boardmans team carbon, we can discuss a suitable price..

 

[e-rider]

As an aside, I must say I'm surprised by the popularity of these 'factory' wheels in recent years. What's the advantage over getting some handbuilt by a wheelbuilder?

they are lightweight and often more aerodynamic with super smooth bearings - at the expense of strength, home maintanence and durability.

Spare spokes are almost impossible to get for factory wheels and cost a fortune (£5+ per spoke), bearings are often not servicable and they are certainly not for heavy riders with the low spoke counts (also difficult to true). All mavic wheels have a 95kg rider weight limit, but many wouldn't be happy with a fair biut less than that (eg. 80kg max)

Being a fat ba$tard at 100kg (I'm very tall though) I dont consider factory built wheels these days.