I, too, was batty trying to pick a new wheelset a month ago, and I was eyeing Ksyrium SLs and was trying to find a good price for on ebay when I realized those unauthorized sellers of Ksyriums on ebay (don't know how they get them) were close to the authorized LBS price, and the LBS wheels are with warranty. I kept looking. As I scanned classifieds all around, I saw a lightly used pair of Ksyrium ESs on roadbikereview.com and snatched them for $695 (with tools and bags not including shipping). They are beautiful in hand and were offered as described- seller needed cash for a mtn. ride. They ride beautiful, too- I came off of Ritchey WCS wheels and have ridden Open Pros at 145 lb. I felt a bit guilty grabbing the ESs...feeling like the marketing hoopla sucked me in. But the ESs are everything positive riding writers have said- light, strong, stiff and comfortable enough at 145 lb. on my setup- Pinarello Surprise, carbon fork, Record 10, FSA Compact Carbon. But I had been investigating handbuilts while checking Ksyriums, and it's true- you can buy handbuilts that will be as light as Ksyriums, and last longer, so I bought those, too, with the intention of selling one of the two pairs. I contacted Joe Young because his name popped up positively on a forum, and I explained that I was looking for something to rival Ksyriums in weight and performance, and he suggested DT Swiss 240 hubs, DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims and DT spokes. (He gave permission to share our correspondence.) Interestingly, as I recently scanned info about the Team CSC wheel, it seems --others have mentioned-- that these CSC wheels are the same wheels Joe built for me- Swiss made but no "RR 1.1" decal for the team. If so, it's good to see a "team issue" conventional spoke wheel for pros again, anwyay.
My main concern with Ksyriums (SL or ES) was the spoke factor- what would I do if I was 50 miles from home and a Ksyrium spoke goes? I haven't read a ood answer yet in a forum. With the Joe Young handbuilts that are 28 spokes front and rear, I know I could loosen the brake shoe a bit and still ride with a spoke issue. I don't know if I would have that much wiggle room (literally) if a Ksyrium spoke went. And if I was near a shop, could they fix a Ksyrium rim or even have one of the five dollar spokes on hand?
Joe Young was clear with communication, and his final bill for his wheels (that he said would rival Ksyriums) without shipping was $733 (DT Swiss 240 hubs, DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims and DT spokes). (They took two weeks to make and a week to ship to Japan, which is where I live and work via Phila., PA., USA.) So not "a whole lot cheaper" than the new Ksyrium SLs or slightly used ESs. Here's Joe's original reply to me about his philosophy and a price quote when I gave him my riding preferences, bike setup and weight...and asked him to compare his wheels to Ksyriums:
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“You are right about current wheel designs, most are for riders
From 160 to 180 LBS. Anyone over or under the 160 to 180 LB range is not
well- provided for in the bicycle Industry. I would recommend the DT 240 SO
set in 28 spokes I am dedicated to classic wheel designs . Classic design is
keeping the outside diameter parts (rims, tires, tubes nipples etc) as light
as possible which is the most meaningful place to save weight . The
benefits are the classic wheels are more responsive to acceleration, climbing
and even braking. My experience is this design out performs wheels like
the Ksyrium and is close to the lightest Zip design with out the expense.
The problem with most "aero" designs is low spoke count makes a heaver rim
necessary. Plus wind tunnel test show there is no aero advantage bellow 30
MPH !
I think the DT 240S hubs are the best high performance hubs available now. DT uses Swiss made cartridge sealed bearings, have the Hugi drive system that is lighter and more positive than the pawl and spring systems. The DT Flange design helps reduce the dish in the rear wheel. Too much dish or off-set weakens the wheel because of the extreme tension difference between the drive and non drive spokes. All the DT hubs are among the quietest in the industry. www.dtswiss.com
For spokes I recommend the DT Super Comp triple butted (2.0X1.7X1.8) spokes with alloy nipples. The 2.0 end fits all performance 2.4 mm hub flanges. The 1.7 mm center saves weight and the 1,8 nipple end saves a bit of weight but mainly is stronger as the wall thickness of the nipple is greater. I don't think using aero spokes is worth the expense . Second choice DT Competition 2.0X1.8X2.0 double butted spokes a bit more stable and less expensive but heaver.
Here is one Quote:
DT 240S 130 mm road black only 28/28 hole $395.00 pair
DT RR 1.1 Rims silver or black $140.00 pair
DT Super Comp spokes with any color alloy nipple $1.25 each
DT QR skewers $38.00 pair
Labor $90.00 pair
I spend extra time making sure all spokes in the wheel are adequately tensioned and brought to with 5 % the same tension. This makes the wheel stay true and tensioned for the life of the rim."
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Did you notice the labor --or art, which I think wheelbuilding is-- was a scant $90? The other $600 is in the quality parts! I felt really good about contributing to Joe and the art of wheelbuilding in this way. Even though I bought the ESs along with Joe's wheels, I had to see what was up with the ESs, and they are spectacular looking and in performance. BUt I'm not a racer and won't be pulling them out for race day. I do centuries and long distance riding and sometimes the terrain is unfamiliar. The ESs are up for sale because 1) I can't afford to have an $800 pair of backup wheels and 2) Joe's wheels feel as stiff, light and durable as the Ksyrium ESs- like he said. Mainly, I really felt good about the insurance of having traditional spokes on long rides, which was my main concern. I bought black DT rims, black 240 hubs, black spokes- they're certainly not as flashy as the ESs. I sacrificed in the looks department only as performance was the priority. I'm glad I bought both wheelsets, so I could experience both wheels under me and contribute first-hand knowledge to the forum, as well as ride on without having to wonder how one or the other wheelset feels. Now I know.
Safe riding.
-Kiddoh 
