Fulcrum 1 vs Mavic Ksyrium SL

I have just got a set of Ksyrium SL's but I really like the look of the Fulcrum 1's. So, I was thinking that I could probably get them swapped (or sold on ebay) and get the 1's if I wanted.

I look forward to hearing all your opinions.

I suggest getting fulcrum over Mavics but for god's sake

A GOOD SET OF HANDBUILT WHEELS WILL PERFORM BETTER THAN THAT MAVIC MASS MARKETED CRAP. And the Fulcrums too. FOR ABOuT HALF THE COST.

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BMC SL01
SRAM Force


thank you crank n' cycles...If you are ever in SW WA, take a trip to Crank N' Cycles.

you reckon? what do you suggest? dura-ace hubs on open pros? I don't have much experience with handbuilts, and my knowledge of the componentry is limited so which spokes, hubs, rims would you recommend?

I think the problem is that these two wheels (Ksyrium SL and Fuclrum Racing 1) do not have the typical design elements for good performance. My testing and other's data would support this. In general, there are trends which suggest how a wheel will perform.

- Deeper rims will have better aerodynamics and will be stiffer laterally. They will tend to be a bit heavier though.

- Fewer spokes will be better aerodynamically, but will make the wheel less laterally stiff. Lateral stiffness may affect how the wheel feels, but unless it causes the rim to rub the brake pads it has little affect on performance.

- The size and shape of a spoke will affect the aerodynamics. Thin spokes are better than thick. Aero is better than round.

- Hub and bearing quality can save you a few watts. The major sources of bearing drag are bearing alignment/adjustment, seal drag, and your choice of grease. Improving these things can save you watts, but can affect how often you need to maintain or replace your bearings (thin grease and no bearing seals means water and grit can penetrate). Going to ceramic bearings will save you very little.

- Starting with a straight rim, using brand name spokes, and properly tensioning the spokes will prevent the wheel from coming out of true and/or breaking spokes. If you are very heavy then you should tend to a stiffer rim and more spokes to prevent the wheel from coming out of true and/or breaking spokes.

Keeping those things in mind, you should be able to pick a good pre-built wheel or have one custom built for you. An example of a wheel that combines the good design elements described above and tests well is the Shimano 7801-SL. An example of a wheel that does not use the good design elements described above and does not test well is the Ksyrium SL. I hope this is helpful.

John Swanson
www.bikephysics.com

wow, your testing is pretty interesting. scientific and interesting. how do you test the wheels to get the data? are you planning on testing the fulcrum 1's or ksyrium sl?

i was looking at the 7801 SL's but they just didn't have the bling factor, shallow i know, but I like to tart my bike up a little

If you are looking for a bling wheel, those two sets fit the bill perfectly. If you are looking for a good wheel, DTRR1.1, Open Pro, Velocity aerohead, or Alex Crostini (I like aerohead and Mavic. I had a bad experience with DT rims) rims laced to DA or Record rear hubs if you run shimano or campy, with something like a white industries front, or any light, good hub. Or you can go both White Industries, but currently DA hubs are comparitively cheap (if you look) for their quality level. Then use some great spokes and you turn out with a wheelset hanging around 1400g.

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BMC SL01
SRAM Force


thank you crank n' cycles...If you are ever in SW WA, take a trip to Crank N' Cycles.

If you want bling, the Ksyrium ES look nice and tarty, or else the new Campy Shamal.
Check the drag figures of the Ksyrium before you buy one, however - you won't be impressed.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

Agree with your recommendations, but for less money, an Ultegra hubset is a very good choice. IME, the key to durability is the build quality....that's more important than buying the most expensive hubs, rims or spokes.

Why not DT RR1.2, Velocity Deep V or Mavic CXP 33? Bin the Open Pro, it's a superannuated box rim (there we go, I've spoke heresy again - fire up the flame throwers).
I'd agree with dhk and go so far as to say that there isn't much difference between Ultegra and 105 hubs.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

Bombproof and cheap? Yeah, but I would rather race a box section than a deep section.

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BMC SL01
SRAM Force


thank you crank n' cycles...If you are ever in SW WA, take a trip to Crank N' Cycles.

I personally think the campy/fulcrum wheels have far more bling than mavics.

The G3 rear wheel stands out a mile, even non cyclists will stop and look. Mavics are a dime a dozen due to OEM specs. Campy or fulcrum gives you something a little different but looks and performs extremely well.

7801s look more "classic" and is a sleeper as far as performance/looks go, spec if you run the new tubeless tyres with them.

Are DA hubs going cheap because they are due to be updated next year and shimano have a large stock of them? 7801 wheels have different bearings to 7800 wheels.

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Precision Sports

Fulcrum 1 owner here (formerly running Ksyrium Elites). Looked at the DT Swiss 1.1 on 240s hubs as well. Compared the F1s to the Ksyrium SLs in the decision as well.

The superior hubs in the F1s were the reason the SLs lost out. ES not considered as no real difference mechanically for the $ to the SLs.

The DT Swiss 1.1/240 lost out on the basis that it was more expensive than the F1s (locally in Aust)

The F1 spokes widen toward the rim and I find they perform better in strong winds than the Elites did.

Why? - it's especially racers that benefit from deep section, whether sprinters or breakers-away. Maybe box rim for a steep hill climb.

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

Not disagreeing with you, but on what basis are the Fulcrum hubs superior to the top-end Mavic hubs?

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

it's sounding more and more like i should have gone for the fulcrums instead of the mavics.

anyone interested in a set of Ksyrium SL's?