Wheel "quandary"

No experience with either wheelset, but from what everyone has told me, the Ksyrium SL wheels are built like tanks and are practically indestructible.

Now i'm not going to tout myself as an expert, but i would recommend the stiffest rim possible, so that you don't sacrifice anything coming out of corners, and also the rim that is lightest. In a crit you are constantly making pace changes, and a lighter rim will spin up easier. I would put aero third on that list, because most of the time in crits you are in a pack, and aero isn't that big a deal, i mean how many guys win cat 3 crits in solo breakaways? What about something like zipp 303's, don't know if they are out of your price range, but they are light, strong, stiff, and still have a pretty decent aero profile. I ride ksyrium ssl's and they are nice, but i think there are much better wheels out there, just don't have the funds to try them all out and tell you which one is best.

ganderctr said:

No experience with either wheelset, but from what everyone has told me, the Ksyrium SL wheels are built like tanks and are practically indestructible.

Guess you haven't heard the one about the rims cracking at the spoke holes.

getsmartin said:

Alrighty... I'm mulling a new set of race wheels for the upcoming season. I'm looking at the Ksyrium SL's vs. the Velomax (Easton now) Orion. I'm a cat 3 racer and these wheels will see criterium duty. Any thoughts or opinions regarding these wheels?
thanks,
-sm

I'd go with Orion's. Based on my experience with the Circuit Comps, believe you'll find they are very well-built, stiff wheels that hold up great. Circuit Comps aren't as nice as the Orion's, but IMO they would be all the wheel you need for crits.

SL's may be good too, but they cost a lot more. Velomax deserves a close look, IMO, because they are a great US-made product and seem to be a good value.

getsmartin said:

Alrighty... I'm mulling a new set of race wheels for the upcoming season. I'm looking at the Ksyrium SL's vs. the Velomax (Easton now) Orion. I'm a cat 3 racer and these wheels will see criterium duty. Any thoughts or opinions regarding these wheels?
thanks,
-sm

I'd go with Orion's. Based on my experience with the Circuit Comps, believe you'll find they are very well-built, stiff wheels that hold up great.

SL's may be good too, but they cost a lot more. Velomax deserves a close look, IMO, because they are a great US-made product and seem to be a good value. Suggest you check them out for yourself before just jumping on the high-dollar SL's.

Hey guys... thanks for the feedback. I've ordered a set of the Orions. I'll post a "review", of sorts, when I put them to the true test (race day).
cheers,
-sm

getsmartin said:

Hey guys... thanks for the feedback. I've ordered a set of the Orions. I'll post a "review", of sorts, when I put them to the true test (race day).
cheers,
-sm

I just bought myself a set of Easton (previously Velomax) Ascent II.
S$720

Haven't really rode it yet, first impression is that I accelerate from a stop faster now.

Compared to my Rolf Vector Comp wheelset, I had shaved 540g off my bike 😎

OK... these are actual weights, rim + spokes + hub + rim tape and nothing else
Rolf Vector Comp, front = 850g, rear = 1150g
Easton Ascent II, front = 610g, rear =850g (web site www.eastonbike.com says 809 😠 )

SunBurnt said:

I just bought myself a set of Easton (previously Velomax) Ascent II.
S$720

Haven't really rode it yet, first impression is that I accelerate from a stop faster now.

Compared to my Rolf Vector Comp wheelset, I had shaved 540g off my bike 😎

OK... these are actual weights, rim + spokes + hub + rim tape and nothing else
Rolf Vector Comp, front = 850g, rear = 1150g
Easton Ascent II, front = 610g, rear =850g (web site www.eastonbike.com says 809 😠 )

540 grams is well over a pound; that is a big weight savings in the wheels. I'd bet you notice a difference in the acceleration and ride quality. Hope you get many thousands of trouble-free miles out of them.