Bill is building up a new bike for himself. It sounds like he is doing it in his mind at the moment. His question is about which wheels he should be fitting to his “virtual” road bike? He likes Mavic Ksyrium and wants our opinion on ES and SL or another wheelset we like.
Question: Sam,
I really enjoy reading the articles in your newsletter. I am getting ready to buy a new road bike and still narrowing choices. I want your opinion on wheels. Would you recommend the Mavic Ksyrium Es or SL as an all around wheel for daily use? Do you have any recommendations for another wheel set that is as light and as aero? Thanks. Bill.
Answer:
Hi Bill,
I’m glad you like the articles, and you are enjoying the website, we do try to make our articles both informative and interesting.
I am at present using Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, and they are great for all-round cycling, I train on them and have used them on a couple of Triathlons, so they are good enough to race on. I’ve also been riding the Roval wheels, both the Star and the more “normal” Fusee E5 wheels, the other nice wheels I recently used are the Fulcrum Racing 3 and the Racing 1, both sets of wheels are great for daily training and good enough for competition.
Do you ask which we prefer between the Mavic Ksyrium ES and the SL? The wheels are basically the same. If you want something special, you should go for the Ksyrium Premium SL, they have a carbon front hub and titanium axles and skewers, but at a price! The choice between the ES and the SL is an easy one; it has to be the ES, for looks and functionality, carbon oversize front hub, bladed spokes, and that distinctive red and black finish.
There are many wheels in the 1,000 dollar price range, and the Ksyrium ES is one of the best wheelsets on the market. Light, smooth, and classy. If I were you, I would go for them. If you wanted to spend more money on your wheels, then you would have to go for carbon rims, hubs, and spokes. Then you would also have to change brake blocks for carbon-specific blocks, more expense! Stick to alloy rims.
Good luck with your new bike when you build it.
