2013 Mavic Ksyrium ELITE S First Impressions
plymouthsteve
Posts: 140
Lucky enough to have got my hands on a set of these, and know there may be one or two people wondering how they measure up.
Well, after 4 rides of 20 - 40 miles I have to say .. THEY ARE AMAZING.
OK, I knew they'd be better than the stock Shimano's that my Specialized Roubaix came with, but these have exceeded my expectations. It doesn't feel like I've got a new wheelset; it feels like I've got a new bike. Everything is more responsive, and they're worth a couple of gears on the hills. The first big ( Sorry, Big for me is 40 mls) ride, I genuinely thought I must have a slight tailwind, so Imagine how I felt when I turned back and .. no wind!
The figures from my Garmin Edge 200 (Best toy ever) show that my average on this bike this year is 15.2 mph and on the 4 rides on the same wheels ON THE SAME ROUTES i'm on 16.6 mph average.
I got these comfortably under £500 from my LBS Certini at Saltash Cornwall, and I've just spent £42 adding the Mavic MP3 2 year damage warranty.
The scary thing is that I was toying with spending a couple of grand more than this on a new bike, hoping to achieve exactly the gains that I've achieved with these wheels alone. Personally I'm counting this ass £1500 saved, not £500 spent.
By the way, the 2013 wheels come with Mavic Tyres fitted so the price increase isn't as big as it seems when you take this into account.
I was looking for a review like this this before buying these, so I hope this is useful for somebody.
Well, after 4 rides of 20 - 40 miles I have to say .. THEY ARE AMAZING.
OK, I knew they'd be better than the stock Shimano's that my Specialized Roubaix came with, but these have exceeded my expectations. It doesn't feel like I've got a new wheelset; it feels like I've got a new bike. Everything is more responsive, and they're worth a couple of gears on the hills. The first big ( Sorry, Big for me is 40 mls) ride, I genuinely thought I must have a slight tailwind, so Imagine how I felt when I turned back and .. no wind!
The figures from my Garmin Edge 200 (Best toy ever) show that my average on this bike this year is 15.2 mph and on the 4 rides on the same wheels ON THE SAME ROUTES i'm on 16.6 mph average.
I got these comfortably under £500 from my LBS Certini at Saltash Cornwall, and I've just spent £42 adding the Mavic MP3 2 year damage warranty.
The scary thing is that I was toying with spending a couple of grand more than this on a new bike, hoping to achieve exactly the gains that I've achieved with these wheels alone. Personally I'm counting this ass £1500 saved, not £500 spent.
By the way, the 2013 wheels come with Mavic Tyres fitted so the price increase isn't as big as it seems when you take this into account.
I was looking for a review like this this before buying these, so I hope this is useful for somebody.
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Comments
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Where did you buy them and how much were they.0
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Certini at Saltash in Cornwall.
Used them for years without issue.
Price?
Sorry, but not for me to say whether non 'on first name terms' deals would or should be the same?! Worth calling though.0 -
Cycle Logic in Helston has them in. They do look very nice. Pleased to hear they ride well too! Definitely on my shortlist.
Did you change the tyres or stick with the Mavic rubber?FCN 3 / 40 -
I keep harping on about this but...
I've had numerous wheels from top end to bottom (top end include Zipp and Campag Bora Ultra 2) and also the Dura Ace C24s.
I bought some 2012 Elites as a stop gap late last year and, well, they are no longer a stop gap.
They are pretty light but they are so stiff it makes climbing a pleasure! The only wheels that felt better were some R-Sys I had for a few rides borrowed from a shop.
In my opinion, in terms of performance:pound they are pretty much as good as it gets for factory wheels...Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
You can get these for £450 on bike discount.de, seriously tempted. Anyone want to talk me out of it with "better" wheels for a similar price (I've got a pair of hand builds which are going on the winter bike so need something new, and different for me.)0
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I think for the average or good sportive/recreational riding cyclist, these are as good as it gets... one just wishes there was more support from Mavic in terms of availability of spares at a reasonable price.
In my view having spares available is better than having a "whatever happens" insurance one has to pay for
£ 450 is a bit pricey though... :shock:left the forum March 20230 -
what is the difference between the old Elites and the new Elite S appart from about £100!0
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Think they're a touch lighter now. Not sure how though.FCN 3 / 40
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ugo.santalucia wrote:I think for the average or good sportive/recreational riding cyclist, these are as good as it gets... one just wishes there was more support from Mavic in terms of availability of spares at a reasonable price.
In my view having spares available is better than having a "whatever happens" insurance one has to pay for
£ 450 is a bit pricey though... :shock:
Out of interest, what would you do with £450 in the way of a handbuilt alternative to the Ksyrium Elite WTS?
Cheers0 -
shamrock134 wrote:ugo.santalucia wrote:I think for the average or good sportive/recreational riding cyclist, these are as good as it gets... one just wishes there was more support from Mavic in terms of availability of spares at a reasonable price.
In my view having spares available is better than having a "whatever happens" insurance one has to pay for
£ 450 is a bit pricey though... :shock:
Out of interest, what would you do with £450 in the way of a handbuilt alternative to the Ksyrium Elite WTS?
Cheers
As I was made aware that Dura Ace hubs finally come in 24 and 28 drillings, then a set of those with a rim of choice should come at the price ofthe Elites + warrantyleft the forum March 20230 -
Love my Cosmic Carbones on my focus but looking to get something lighter on my Cervelo and the elites seem good for the money. Had settled on C24s but maybe I should look at the elite again. Little heavier but definitely cheaper!! Also Merlin cycles seem to have them a smidgen under £400 at the moment with the extra 5% taken off at the basket.0
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Yeh, the tyres seem fine, certainly wouldn't take them off, but to early to say whether they'd be first choice for replacement; presumably this is what Mavic are hoping. I'm also sad enough to like the way that the Mavic logo's line up on the wheel and tyre.
The 2013's are 35 grammes lighter, and have nice silver hubs.
[/http://www.mavic.com/en/product/wheels/road-triathlon/wheels/Ksyrium-Elite-Surl]0 -
Out of interest, what's the cheapest "pre-haggle" (or "non-first-name-basis") price that folks have found for this wheel-set from a UK retailer? I've seen £470 via Google. Any better than that?
I plan to talk to my LBS to see if I can strike a deal, but would like to know what price point I'm starting at to improve upon...0 -
£398 at merlin cycles0
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Yep that Merlin price is about £50 less than I paid so, brilliant and I'd say go for it as 2012's never got any cheaper than that really and they didn't have tyres.
Me? I've no regrets as my LBS swapped my cassette around and tightened up my old wheels which I'll use as spares .. PLUS .. I reckon I've had £50 of pure joy out of the wheels in the last week anyway!0 -
I picked up some Elites last year with very little use for £250.
They're so smooooth, they feel like squishy soft stuff, then get out of the saddle and stamp on the pedals and they are stiff stiff stiff!
Can't understand why they are selling them with mavic tyres now, surely everyone has a favourite tyre. Veloflex with latex tubes for me thanks.0 -
PeteMadoc wrote:Can't understand why they are selling them with mavic tyres now, surely everyone has a favourite tyre. Veloflex with latex tubes for me thanks.
Its an easier option for a wheel manufacturer to gain entry into the tyre market - as mentioned above Mavic hope wheel owners will stick with the brand once the first set wear out.0 -
PeteMadoc wrote:I picked up some Elites last year with very little use for £250.
They're so smooooth, they feel like squishy soft stuff, then get out of the saddle and stamp on the pedals and they are stiff stiff stiff!
The ones I've ordered are to replace some Ksyrium SLs I've had for six+ years. I'm expecting similar rock-solid credentials from the Elite S, but with added comfort from the more sensible steel spokes. I think they're lighter than my old SLs too, so result all around.0 -
Mavic probably sell them with tyres for all these mamils with loads of money who don't know the first things about bikes and don't know how to fit tyres.
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It's clever because now, 10 days in I'm really impressed with the tyres, but would I be even more impressed with the wheels on my regular tyres? The only way to find out is to take off a perfectly good set of brand new tyres which were (sort of) free so why would I?
This is further complicated by the fact that my regular tyres are Gatorskins, so I'll lose some of the weight gain too. Anyway, after another ride yesterday, these wheels get better all the time. It really feels like a new bike, not just a wheelset. Hills. I go looking for hills!0 -
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Just about to get some from Merlin, but there all gone.0
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plymouthsteve wrote:Yep that Merlin price is about £50 less than I paid so, brilliant and I'd say go for it as 2012's never got any cheaper than that really and they didn't have tyres.
Me? I've no regrets as my LBS swapped my cassette around and tightened up my old wheels which I'll use as spares .. PLUS .. I reckon I've had £50 of pure joy out of the wheels in the last week anyway!
Got my 2012 Elites for £350 from Merlin earlier this year, which replaced... an older set of Elites0 -
My experience (with my Elite 2012) is exactly the same as Napoleon... These wheels are stunning. They will improve your flat speed but are so stiff they will transform your climbs and sprints.
The best value upgrade I have bought.Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
Boardman FS Pro0 -
Yep, and to put some perspective on my previous comments, I am 44 years old and weigh in at close to 16 stone, so I would imagine that your 'average forum member' will see even more benefit than me!0
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I'm sold on a set. Just need to see if I can hold out until Christmas to get some vouchers to put towards them or whether I crack following a very favourable meeting with my accountant yesterday!FCN 3 / 40
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plymouthsteve wrote:Yep, and to put some perspective on my previous comments, I am 44 years old and weigh in at close to 16 stone, so I would imagine that your 'average forum member' will see even more benefit than me!
not quite so old but still north of 40….well, OK, nearly 42…. also north (ehem) of 17st and the Elites I bought tail end of last year have been faultless - a significant upgrade on the stock Bonty rims that came on my Trek 2.1 (not hard as I think the Bonty SSR's are just rebadged Alex Rims) which weighed exactly 1 tonne ! lol!A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it
Canyon Aeroad 7.0 summer missile
Trek 2.1 winter hack0
