Wheels - Ksyrium Elite v Shimano RS10

kiwilondon

So, new bike coming - comes with RS10's as standard and shop has offered and recommended to upgrade to new Ksyrium Elites for a fair price - ie £200 or so extra.

Anyone ridden the two to compare?

Will it make a huge difference to the feel of the bike? I assume it will as they are lighter and stiffer.
Heard mavics are pretty reliable and bombproof too - as good as shimano.

I do a lot of riding and one of the things I hate is hills - I'm assuming these would be a good help in that regard. I know there are other wheel options out there but interested in comparing these two.
Any thoughts, opinions welcome.
Thanks, Kiwi

Sammyw23

No idea on the RS10s but they are definitely a lower quality to the Elite's - the Mavic's are probably in line with the RS80s in the shimano range so if someone offered me the Elites for £200 I would take it.

Sammyw23

To give you some perspective - you can buy RS10s new for under £100 whereas the Elites cost £300-400

smidsy

RS10's did not get a favourable review on here - build quality lacking. They are the entry level wheel in RS range.

I have RS20's which are about twice the price and get a reasonable review and find them to be very acceptable.

Elites get very good reviews so I would say if you have the cash and want something that will last they are a good option.

styxd

Why do you care about the reviews? Do you not have a brain of your own? If they work for you then thats all that matters.

Fow what its worth, get the Ksyriums!

nochekmate

smidsy wrote:

RS10's did not get a favourable review on here - build quality lacking. They are the entry level wheel in RS range.

I have RS20's which are about twice the price and get a reasonable review and find them to be very acceptable.

Elites get very good reviews so I would say if you have the cash and want something that will last they are a good option.

Just a £15 difference between RS10s and RS20s at Merlin - for £200 extra the Elites represent a worthwhile upgrade IMO in that it would be cheaper than buying the Elites separately and trying to sell off the RS10s.

itsnotarace

I've got both. The RS10's are heavy but the hubs are pretty good - they roll well, and seem to be bombproof for me at 74KG even with low spoke count.

The KE's are around 400 grams lighter so yes it's a noticeable difference. They are also stiffer, the bike is a little harsher with them fitted but not enough to worry about. The only downside on my KE's is bearing play. To remove any play you have to adjust them on the bike, which often means the force you close the skewer with can either induce or remove the last bit of play which makes them a bit fiddly. It's a very fine balance between removing play and overtightening them which means they don't spin free

napoleond

I have Ksyrium Elites 2011 model and have no issues with bearing play/preload at all. I'd go as far as saying that for general riding/racing they are the best wheels per £ out there.

keef66

Don't write off the RS10's as rubbish just because they are relatively cheap. Mine are still perfectly true after three and a half years and riding through 3 winters. On the one occasion I stripped the hubs I found the bearings in pristine condition, so the seals are evidently pretty good too.
The Ksyrium Elites would be worth it if you have the extra £200 and want to spend it, but if it was my money I'd ride the RS10's to death and then go shopping for upgrades.

kiwilondon

Thanks for that post mate - most helpful

styxd wrote:

Why do you care about the reviews? Do you not have a brain of your own? If they work for you then thats all that matters.

Fow what its worth, get the Ksyriums!

itsnotarace

NapoleonD wrote:

I have Ksyrium Elites 2011 model and have no issues with bearing play/preload at all.

My KE's are 2010 so perhaps they addressed this issue from 2011 model onwards?

styxd

Thanks for that post mate - most helpful

That wasnt aimed at you - I was referring to smidsy's post. Magazine reviews dont count for much IMO.

redroad44

I have Ksyrium Elites 2011 model and have no issues with bearing play/preload at all. I'd go as far as saying that for general riding/racing they are the best wheels per £ out there.

Ditto - And for an upcharge of £200, its as good value as you will get for these.

They are great wheels, and spares are much easier to obtain than a lot of other pre builts...speaks the man who has waited for 3 months for a Campag Eurus rim (never got one - gave up) and is now waiting for 2 months (and counting) for a Shamal rim - 2011 model!

After the above experience, I've just got some 2011 Elites and really like them, mine came in at 1541gms so light enough and they spin super smooth.

smidsy

styxd wrote:

Why do you care about the reviews? Do you not have a brain of your own? If they work for you then thats all that matters.

Fow what its worth, get the Ksyriums!

Err..because unless you have tried them all yourself how are you supposed to make a judgment on what to include on your short list.

If you are going to take that stance why ask anyones opinion at all??

My post merely served to provide some background for the OP as to what the RS10's were like - I do not think that was unreasonable.

Anyway sorry if you were put out by my post.

BBH

Get them they r great. I got the rs10s with the caad as stock with the thought of winter use, I also bought the elites at discount for summer, they r awesome get them!