Bike Setup: 2007 Look 585 Pro Team, D/A, FSA cockpit...
Summary: Bomb-proof... Okay, so I'm not very original, but they are. At the 2008 3 State 3 Mountain (century ride) I was involved in a paceline altercation that almost completely destroyed my front wheel. I broke one spoke completely and bent about a half dozen more... I limped to the next SAG stop. The mechanic removed the broken spoke, trued the wheel as best he could, and I gingerly rode 70 miles to the finish (not recommended!!). The Bike Lane, Burke, VA, sent it to Mavic, and it cost me all of $150 to get a new rim and spokes! I guess I couldn't be happier.
Strengths: Great looking. Seldom, if ever need truing. I trust them enough that I bought a set of 2008 SL's...
Weaknesses: Honestly... if I could think of something I'd report it, but I can't...
Similar Products Used: Velomax Orion II, Velocity Deep-V with D/A hubs & Wheelsmith spokes (also bomb-proof, and fast on the flats!), Bontrager Race, Mavic Cosmos (flexy!!!)
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Bike Setup: Specialized E5 Team, carbon everything. 17.5 lbs.
Summary: I am a serious amateur with some racing experience. I have very much enjoyed these wheels. They are light, strong and accelerate quickly. They are easy to adjust - I have had the front wheel loosen up in the bearing area, but it is easy to tighten up and maintain. I have the park mavic nipple tool for micro adjustments, which I've only had to make once. I ride these wheels day in and day out, it's the only pair I have, and they have never let me down. Makes me wonder why, after 30 years of riding, why I didn't buy them any sooner that 2 years ago. :D
Strengths: Weight, design (blade straight pull, nipple design, rim design). Wheels are bombproof. I went thru a sag in the road at 40mph with my butt on the seat and I felt the rear wheel potato flex on me. Got off the bike thinking I would have to adjust it when I got home, but no, straight as an arrow. Not many wheels will do that.
Weaknesses: None. If you ride wheels 8-10k miles per year, year after year, you should get these. Very low maintenance. If anyone in forums complains about these wheels, it is either because they were abused (ridden thru a pothole or over a sidewalk edge), or they are over 200 lbs. I am 180.
Similar Products Used: Everything, including lots of wheels that I build myself (which are usually better than wheels I buy).
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Favorite Ride: Sonoma/Mendocino County Coastal Region
Bike Setup: Specialized S-works Tarmac & Roubaix, and Tarmac Pro. All Dura Ace components and Michelin Pro 2 tires.
Summary: This clincher wheelset came with a used 2004 Litespeed Tuscany bought off eBay. I was told that this bike was ridden for about a month by the previous owner. In comparison to other Mavic Ksyrium wheels that I own (Elites & ES), this set is by far the most durable set. While ever so slightly less responsive and a hair heavier than my Ksyrium ES wheels, the SLs can really take a beating without having to constantly true them and adjust the hub tension as I do with my ES wheels. This is an excellent all-around training and racing wheel! If could own only one set of everyday Mavic wheels, the SL SSCs would be my first choice.
Strengths: Stiff, responsive, and low maintenance. Very durable over rough roads.
Weaknesses: For this level of wheelset, absolutely none!
Similar Products Used: Mavic MA40, Ksyrium Elites, Ksyrium ES, & Open Pros.
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Bike Setup: beautiful 1994 Merlin xtralight frame, Time fork, 2007 Record ergo 10 spd, old Cinelli bars and stem
Summary: Nice looking light.., stay true beautfully but.. creaky front wheel, drove me nuts finding it
Strengths: Light, easy to mount tire, no rim strip needed, stay perfectly true, brake surface is quite good
Weaknesses: terribly creaky front wheel after a few hundred miles, amazing it was the front, usually the rear.. front hub bearing adjustment required every 100 miles or so, I guess it moves, rear free hub isn't very free, bike gets blown around by wind more.
Similar Products Used: older mavic stuff
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Summary: i was surprised by the difference i felt upgrading from the mavic open pro stock wheels to the sl wheet set. these wheels are much stiffer, making them more responsive to acceleration and cornering.
Strengths: stiffness-acceleration and cornering
Weaknesses: none to speak of
Similar Products Used: open-pro
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