I'm confused about the Mavic Ksyrium range

EdHarris

I'm considering getting a wheel upgrade for my bike and am persuaded by most of Mavic's Ksyrium wheels, but there are so many versions of them and I don't understand what the difference between them is. For instance I've seen SSC SL Elite and probably others. I considering second-hand as well so discontinued models might complecate things as well.

Could some one please explain the differences? I'd appreciate it a lot.

redddraggon

Don't bother with the Ksyriums, get some Fulcrum or Campagnolo wheels.

Monty Dog

There are three basic models, the Ksyrium Equipe, Elite and SLs/SSC. The SL's/SSC s are the most distinctive due to their fat aluminium alloy spokes whereas the others use steel. Difference is mainly down to rim weight - the same rim, but more is machined off in the top models, the spoke materials and the hub materials. All are reliable and well-built - the key difference being lighter weight and materials. There are plenty of other wheels available in these price brackets too - whereas the SL/SSC lead the way in 1999, plenty of others have caught up

grimpeur

The other thing worth pointing out is that Mavic Ksyriums are so ubiquitous that coming by spare parts is very easy, almost up there with conventional hand built wheels. Most bike shops in many European countries will carry spares for Ksyriums as standard, although Fulcrum and other are becoming more popular spare parts may have to be ordered.

Brian B

redddraggon wrote:

Don't bother with the Ksyriums, get some Fulcrum or Campagnolo wheels.

Thats a handy response to the question 8)

synchronicity

Ksyriums are like blue jeans... their omnipresence + unlimited variations turn some people off buying them.

robbarker

I'm 15 stone and fairly powerful, and run Ksyrium Elites on my road bike for mainly cosmetic reasons. I do have spare spokes for them and the metal mavic spoke key but, thankfully, have never needed to touch them Their bombproof reputation has been borne out here.

I have previously owned a pair of the original Ksyrium SSCs from when they were all the rage when Lance was using them around 2000. They had alloy spokes but were also very reliable.

turkeytickler

i bought some elites last week - got a bargain from my LBS - i looked at zondas (too hard to source with shimano freehub) and fulcrum 3s (too expensive @ £350ish - please dont tell me you can get them for £300 somewhere ) so plumped for the elites. they look the mutts nuts in my opinion, and they perform solidly and quickly so no complaints from me.

z000m

at least hes honest

Brian B wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

Don't bother with the Ksyriums, get some Fulcrum or Campagnolo wheels.

Thats a handy response to the question 8)

giant_man

z000m wrote:

at least hes honest

Brian B wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

Don't bother with the Ksyriums, get some Fulcrum or Campagnolo wheels.

Thats a handy response to the question 8)

But that's hardly useful is it?

There's nothing wroing with Ksyriums at all, my own pair of SLs are nearly five years old and still going strong, never going out of true or breaking a spoke. Doubtful if Campag or Fulcrums would last as long, especially with the abuse I have dished out on them.

Maybe redddraggon has had expeience of Ksyriums I don't know, but the bottom line is if you haven't had experience of a product, how can you comment on them?

robbarker

giant mancp wrote:

the bottom line is if you haven't had experience of a product, how can you comment on them?]

Welcome to cycling forums - a lot of it goes on.

EdHarris

Thank you for your responses, the reason why I was particularly interested in the Ksyriums is because I see so many of them around, so people do think that they are good and I assumed with them being so popular I could get them fixed pronto should I need to.

For those of you who arn't too keen on the Ksyrium's(!) I've narrowed my choices down to Fulcrum 5, Kysrium Elite or Easton Vista. I'll also get a nice set of tyres and tubes. Does anyone have recommendations for tubes: I guess they're often overlooked compared to the tyres and the wheels.

Cheers

robbarker

Michelin Aircomp latex if you want the fastest and plushest ride. They do lose pressure though so pump them up before every ride.

steve23

have you considered campag shaml's or campag Eurous (sp) they are meant to be good wheels.

Adamskii

Thought I would join in on this post as I have also been thinking of getting a pair of Ksyrium Elites mainly because I've had mavic rims (all be it bottom of the range) in the past and they seem pretty strong and have lasted.

What concerns my slightly and why I haven't bought a pair yet is if you buy a pair of £300 rims on-line you don't get any sort of after sales service.

The other option is to source a good local wheel builder who can build you a pair to your exact specification. This means of course that you can go back and get them fixed if they go out of true or you snap a spoke.

Decisions decisions!!!

Steveorow

Have ran Ksyrium Elites for 18 months . Good wheel and bomb proof however was looking for something a little lighter and more responsive . Went to the LBS ( Dooleys in Paisley ) talked it over with them and ended up buying Bontrgaer Race X lites . Reduce from £499 ( which was original budget ) to £279 and they threw in 2 Pro Race 3s and rim tapes for another £40 .
After about 300 miles on the Bontrgaers they feell much better in every way . They spin up quicker ; roll better and feel seem to make climbing easier ; they use DT swiss componenets so no prob aboout replacement parts Im no light weight .

mdg1157

Am I a lucky b**s**d or what?? My wife's been saving some overtime money, and bought me a pair of kysyrium sl premiums yesterday!!. Haven't ridden themyet, just sit in the garage and look at them!!

turkeytickler

mdg1157 wrote:

Am I a lucky b**s**d or what?? My wife's been saving some overtime money, and bought me a pair of kysyrium sl premiums yesterday!!. Haven't ridden themyet, just sit in the garage and look at them!!

i would say she's a keeper.... :P

rustychisel

aww, I dunno. How much would you get for her on the 2nd hand market?

andy_wrx

For anyone considering Ksyrium Elites, cheapest I could find when I had a look around 2 months ago was CRC at £260
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=23257