Ksyrium SL vs. Bontrager Race X-Lite - Page 2

What rims/hubs/spokes are you suggesting he get for ~$600 that are lighter, stiffer and more durable than either the Mavics or Bontragers? I'm interested in upgrading my wheels, too.

That's fair enough. Thanks for the info. Any thoughts on www.wheelbuilder.com?

Uhm, just about any. Rims aren't the only component in wheel stiffness: there is spoke lacing pattern, spoke tension, number of spokes, rim cross section, and etc. Again, you have to remember that the only stiffness that is relevant is lateral stiffness. Any differences noticed for in-plane flex, i.e. vertical flex, for rims is completely buried in tire flex. So for all intents and purposes, in plane flex is a non-issue.

My Alex Crostini R3.1/3.2 rims/CX-Ray spokes/White Industries hubs wheels weigh a whopping 1380g. I weigh in at 175lbs.

I think the cost of Race X Lites and Ksyriums is way too high, especially when you get zero performance advantage.

Someone from Wheelbuilder.com showed up on the RBR forum and did a lot of trash talking about builders, so I consider Wheelbuilder.com to be less than worthy of respect. Their prices are also high compared to others.

My recommendations are these:

Ligero Wheelworks
Ergott Wheels
Odds and Endos
Speed Dream

Troy Watson (aka, Ligero Wheelworks) built my wheels. All of the above will build wheels that are at least as good as the Race X Lites and Ksyriums for less money. What is appropriate for you to use is best discussed between you and whomever is building your wheels.

Thanks. Will look into those options if I decide to (and can) sell the x-lites.

I'll chime in and give my 2 cents worth... I have about 1200 miles on my race X lites and all of them in the hills of Kanagawa prefecture in Japan. the only problem I have had; they require about 20PSI of air once a week (sigh). I am ready for a better set of climbing wheels, but I know I will miss the Hubs, they have been fantastic and roll so nicely.

I just hate the fact that any trek comes stocked with Bonty components, I am in the process of exhanging those bonty components with others, saddle to Selle, seat post to Campy record, Handlebars to FSA plasma. wheels to Eurus and Mich pro2, reducing my weight by 2 lbs. when you buy such a nice frame like an Madone SL and sorround it with mid grade stuff, it a total shame.

I just ordered my Campy Eurus and impatiently awaiting thier arrival. But, When I go to upgrade the Wifes Race X Lites on here madon WSD, i will be looking to get a custom wheel set built as I have learned so much thumbing through this forum site. Thanks all!

__________________
Hoover
-Trek Madone 5.2 SL (60cm)
-Ultegra Group
-Edge 305
-Campy Eurus/Mich Pro2
-Selle Italia SLR
-16.5 lbs

[QUOTE=alienator]
My Alex Crostini R3.1/3.2 rims/CX-Ray spokes/White Industries hubs wheels weigh a whopping 1380g. I weigh in at 175lbs.
QUOTE]

Hey alienator can you post a pic of your wheels and stop alienating everyone?

I'm happy with my Ritchey Protocols, but I don't know whether they weigh 1350 or 1450 grams.

Here are some quick and dirty--emphasis on very dirty and pretty quick--pictures...

Attached Thumbnails

       

 

Thanks for the quick picks. It looks like your spokes aren't bladed. I'd say my Ritchey Protocols look sexier. Gee, Campy Record on a college student budget... are you eating well?

Sorry, I wasn't going for the sexy look: I wanted durable, functional, and light. For the Record, the spokes are CX-Rays, which are bladed spokes. In fact, they share nearly identical dimensions with the DT Aerolites in Ritchey Protocol wheels.

So what does the tubes losing air have to do with the wheels??? That's like saying, yeah my ultegra brakes are pretty good, but they don't shift well.

The eurus are awesome wheels, you'll be very happy with them. I'd say they're a nice improvement over the x-lites.

__________________
All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be.

It was sarcasm, no problems, but the usual re-charge or air weekly.


Little pissed at LBS here in Japan. They sold me an ultegra cassette 12-25, got home pulled it out of the box and on the lock ring it said, Shimano CS-5600, damn 105 cassette.
can't wait to hit the pavement with the new wheels.

__________________
Hoover
-Trek Madone 5.2 SL (60cm)
-Ultegra Group
-Edge 305
-Campy Eurus/Mich Pro2
-Selle Italia SLR
-16.5 lbs

Alienator,
How are the splines on the Ti freehub body on the H1 holding up? A local wheel builder has been trying to get me to get a set with the White hubs for some time now. Also curious. Did you have the hubs painted/anodized or did they come in black? All I have ever seen in person are the polished ones. Thanks.

They're holding up just fine. Also, the cassette is a Ti cassette from Cycle Dynamics--I thought I'd give it a go to see how it lasted--and it is holding up fine: about 6000 miles on it and looking good.

The builder--Troy Watson at Ligero Wheelworks--had the hubs anodized. White Industries will have them anodized black, but it takes some time. Troy has done 'em in red, pewter (very sharp), pink, purple, dark blue, royal blue, gray, and some others I can't remember.

Sure what ever you want to believe.