Ksyrium Elite or RS 80

chip42

I know it's been asked before, but which one would you choose? Mainly summer use on my best bike.
Thanks
Andy

Slack

I don't have any first hand or personal experience, but have been procrastinating about the very sames wheels myself!

I've trawled the web and deduced that the Elite's may be a bit stiffer - which I'd prefer for hill climbing.

Bozman

I've had them both and i've still got the RS80s on one bike.
I couldn't fault the Elites, i've got SLs and there isn't that much difference between the two(stiff, light etc). I used the Elites all year round for a couple of years and i never had a problem and they only required a minor true after i got knocked off my bike, the collision wrote the bike off.
I've had the RS80s for a year and up to now i can't fault them, light, stiff etc and still true after a year of country roads.
If i had to choose i'd struggle, the Elites cost more but the they're maintenance free and mine were still running great after three years of abuse, if the RS80s are still running fine in two years i'll have a better comparison.

I've not really given you any help but they're both great wheelsets, i've had Duraace 7850 c24s and i've still got my SLs, i found that there's squat difference between those two and the two wheelsets your looking at getting.

weapons

I've got the Ksyriums SLs and Dura Ace which are essentially the same wheels as you are comparing. The Kysriums are stiffer and seem a bit more robust and have never needed re truing.

The Dura Ace are marginally lighter so climb slightly better and are more comfortable so climb a bit better. I suspect they are slightly less hard wearing than the Ksyriums as the alumiunium brake tracks are meant to be thinner.

If I just had to have one set I would have the Dura Ace. Better suited to the not-so-smooth British roads.

Casbar

Thx @ Weapons excellent advice !!