I realize that this is not a wheelset that everyone can consider as a viable purchase option (including myself), but since I had an opportunity to buy a used 2003 set for reasonable money and wring out my new ride, I felt some might be interested in reading my impressions.
I was previously riding a Bianchi EV2 with full Chorus and Mavic Open-Pro 32h with better Conti clinchers. I am now riding a Bianchi EV4 with full Record and Campy Hyperons. The largest functional difference between these two setups is in the wheelset. To make the comparison somewhat fair, I rode a very familiar course (almost always windy), and pumped the new tires to only 120psi (I rode the Contis at 115psi).
The first thing I noticed is that the Hyperons seem virtually invisible to gusts of cross winds. The Open-Pros are certainly not a deep section wheel by any stretch of the imagination, but a strong cross wind can be felt somewhat...not with the Hyperons. They just seem to keep rolling - fast.
In the flats, the Hyperons feel very secure, but not harsh. They roll incredibly fast in the flats, and I felt very comfortable in diving into a relatively sharp corner at higher speeds than what I was used to. They handle beautifully and with precision. They also seem to be very quiet - is it the rims or the bladed spokes?
In the hills, the Hyperons are an amazing climbing wheel, and this is quickly noticeable. Here there are a few steep bridges over industrial shipping canals, which normally bring me out of the saddle. This morning, I rode over them noticeably more easily, without having to leave the saddle at all.
All I can say is that if you have to choose one wheel for just about any purpose, I dare say this is perhaps the best choice, even if money is no option. There seems to be nothing it doesn't do remarkably well. Of course, this wheelset is quite expensive, but if you can find a clean used set for around $1k like I did, you won't be disappointed!!
I rode these at only 120psi. My tires are rated for up to 220psi, so I imagine more air and less rolling resistance could only make things even better.
I was previously riding a Bianchi EV2 with full Chorus and Mavic Open-Pro 32h with better Conti clinchers. I am now riding a Bianchi EV4 with full Record and Campy Hyperons. The largest functional difference between these two setups is in the wheelset. To make the comparison somewhat fair, I rode a very familiar course (almost always windy), and pumped the new tires to only 120psi (I rode the Contis at 115psi).
The first thing I noticed is that the Hyperons seem virtually invisible to gusts of cross winds. The Open-Pros are certainly not a deep section wheel by any stretch of the imagination, but a strong cross wind can be felt somewhat...not with the Hyperons. They just seem to keep rolling - fast.
In the flats, the Hyperons feel very secure, but not harsh. They roll incredibly fast in the flats, and I felt very comfortable in diving into a relatively sharp corner at higher speeds than what I was used to. They handle beautifully and with precision. They also seem to be very quiet - is it the rims or the bladed spokes?
In the hills, the Hyperons are an amazing climbing wheel, and this is quickly noticeable. Here there are a few steep bridges over industrial shipping canals, which normally bring me out of the saddle. This morning, I rode over them noticeably more easily, without having to leave the saddle at all.
All I can say is that if you have to choose one wheel for just about any purpose, I dare say this is perhaps the best choice, even if money is no option. There seems to be nothing it doesn't do remarkably well. Of course, this wheelset is quite expensive, but if you can find a clean used set for around $1k like I did, you won't be disappointed!!
I rode these at only 120psi. My tires are rated for up to 220psi, so I imagine more air and less rolling resistance could only make things even better.