Mavic Ksyrim SL or Dura Ace 7850 SL?

eadrdup
eadrdup Posts: 19
edited April 2010 in Road buying advice
I NEED some new wheels, had windfall from work and need to spend before the Mrs gets her hands on it to buy shoes or bags etc.

I'm not good enough for deep section carbons, besides, most of my races are in Cornwall which is very hilly and windy.

Was sold on the Dura Ace 7850s as I can get for £425 and they are only 1500g. Just been to LBS and they informed me the bearings are not sealed and suggested the Mavic Ksyrim SL. They are a bit more expensive but have sealed bearings.

PLEASE HELP! and if anyone has any other suggestions please add.

Cheers

Comments

  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    name and shame your LBS :wink:

    unless you're going touring in Iceland on them, I wouldn't place too much weight on their comments.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    The Kyserium SL's closer rival is the CL wheel set which was reviewed here:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -ace-31460

    I have been running the older d'ace wheels for three or more years without a single problem - they are still as true as the day I got them - the only criticism I would mention is that they were a complete pig to fit Pro Race 3 tyres onto. Other than that, I wouldn't give too much credence to the bearings being non-cartridge type - some may argue that is a plus point!

    Peter
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    The Mavics Ksyrium SLs have got it all imo, light, stiff, comfortable, not the most aerodynamic but bulletproof in my experience.

    I have a pair which are 7 years old and still going strong; and would buy another pair without hesitation.
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    I'd snap the dura aces up at £425.

    Awesome wheels, completely changed the feel of my bike. Feel brilliant on hills.
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    If the Dura Ace wheels are the 7850CL for £425 - I'd buy them as well - a very good price.
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    The Mavics Ksyrium SLs have got it all imo, light, stiff, comfortable, not the most aerodynamic but bulletproof in my experience.

    I have a pair which are 7 years old and still going strong; and would buy another pair without hesitation.
    final_y_fronts.jpg
    These dont look 7 years old :D
  • simon johnson
    simon johnson Posts: 1,064
    Dura-Ace...I don't have them but they kinda resemble the Easton EA90SLX's I went for after rejecting the Ksyriums SLs that came on my bike. I found them to be a bit sluggish, though these were a 2008 model.

    Great price for the Dura Ace too

    --Just checked Wiggle 4.9/5 average from 52 reviews !! Wow.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shima ... 360030874/
    Where\'s me jumper?
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    The Ksyrium SLs are about £630 ... I would go for the Dura-Aces.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • mike ives
    mike ives Posts: 319
    I haven't used the Mavics but I have used the Dura Ace. They are excellent. Personally I would prefer non-sealed bearings as it is easier to adjust them myself or get them serviced/repaired when necessary.

    The wheels roll really well and have hardly gone out of tru in years.

    I shall be buying another set in the not too distant future.
  • eadrdup
    eadrdup Posts: 19
    Guys, huge thanks to all replys.

    The price difference isn't so much at LBS. Merlin Cycles have good deal on the Dura Ace so they do look really good.

    The decision is very close to being made.

    I have another question I need to ask and will add this thread to it.

    Cheers
  • wheeler585
    wheeler585 Posts: 552
    I would defo go for the dura ace cl wheels, i have a pair and there a fantastic wheel, i use mine for training and racing on. Did buy a pair of deep sections for racing, but liked the feel of the cl's so much, i sold the carbon rims and just used the dura ace wheels......Get them bought, mavic dont even touch these wheels :wink:
    Up hup hup hup.....fricking hate that!
  • chriskempton
    chriskempton Posts: 1,245
    I've used my DAs for 4 summers through lots of rain on the original grease and they spin as good s new. The hubs are as 'sealed' as they come IME.
  • rokkala
    rokkala Posts: 649
    Brother was looking to replace his Shimano RS10's and i told him to have a look at the Dura Ace 7850 CL wheels. Bargain at £500 from merlin. He's ordered a set, now i'm jealous :(
  • GregC
    GregC Posts: 65
    I've got a pair of DA wheels and also a pair of Mavic SL both of which I've owned since 2003 .I've done thousands of miles on both sets ,including the Etape ,TT,British sportives,winter miles and the DAs have been on my winterbike for the past 3 years .
    Consequently all I can say is that the DA rims look a little more worn/tired (!) than the Mavics ,but both sets still perform excellently .
    I'm doing an End to End in June on the Mavics .

    Neither set has had any attention needed whatsoever ,original bearings/spokes still.

    I got the Mavics checked out when I recently upgraded my groupset ,the rim walls are still ok for some time yet .
    In other words you'll be ok with either set .
  • incog24
    incog24 Posts: 549
    Dura-ace are probably 'better' race wheels. But the Mavics will almost certainly last long.

    Personally, if I was at this stage again, I'd just get some gigantex 50mm's and be done with it...You may as well buy the 50mms for circa £500 (including tubs) and some training wheels for £100 (PX model Bs?), rather than using the Dura-ace for a year until you get better and realise you want tubs and end up spending ~£1k total.

    If you were going for Zipps or something it'd obviously be a different story...

    + with the roads in the state they are, you're much more likely to finish a race on a tub than a clincher - less likely to get pinch punctures going through a pothole whilst in the bunch.
    Racing for Fluid Fin Race Team in 2012 - www.fluidfin.co.uk
  • kettrinboy
    kettrinboy Posts: 613
    ive had my SL,s since 2006 and done 7000 miles on them , not one single problem and they are strong ive clattered over potholes on them and rode on really rough roads and feared the worst but they still run dead true and the bearings are a doddle to adjust though ive only had to do that once since ive had them, i use dura ace brake blocks with mine and the braking surfaces are nearly as good as new so i,m well pleased with them.