Road bike wheels - I'm confused!

[Janosh]

I know it's another 'what wheels' thread, but bear with me!

I'm currently riding on the PlanetX B wheels that came fitted to my Nanolight.

I mostly do Alpine riding, so light weight is priority number 1, I think?

I'm guessing that stiffness + light weight = best for climbing, so I can steer clear of aero rims.

I'm very tempted by the cheap / light superstar wheels: http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP... and I'm ready to pull the trigger on weight alone, but I can't help but consider other options at a slightly higher price point.

I could stretch to Shimano RS-80's or Fulcrum 3's, but are you just paying for the name?

Why do the very popular Mavic SL's weight 250g more, offer no aero advantage and cost 3x more?? I understand that they might have slightly longer lasting bearings, slightly stiffer construction, etc... but surely not enough to justify cost?!

Superstar come with a 2 year guarantee, so what am I missing?

[Janosh]

Ah crap, so not much support for the superstar wheels & a big thumbs up for some budget creep... I guess I didn't expect much better from you lot!

[Janosh]

This thread is not helping

(although thanks for all the advice so far!)

[Janosh]

As suspected this thread has helped / not helped depending on your viewpoint...

Keeping up PH tradition, I've just struck a deal a set of Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels

Now if everyone could agree that they are much better than Fulcrum 3's and all the other options I was looking at this morning, that would be lovely!

Many thanks guys, I think..

[Janosh]

ewenm said:

Personally I think they are the best possible wheels you could get for your budget and you'll see improvements from your first ride on them

Yes - they came nicely inside my original "budget" of £250

[Janosh]

Question for Mavic wheel owners: is a little play in the freehub body normal?

I built up the wheels yesterday and once i had fitted the cassette i noticed play in the freehub. I removed the cassette again to make sure that it was sitting tight, and its definitely play in the freehub body itself..

Anything i can / should do to before I head out for my first ride?

[Janosh]

Janosh said:

Question for Mavic wheel owners: is a little play in the freehub body normal?

Sorry to bump, but keen to ride the new wheels this arvo, can anyone answer my question??

[Janosh]

Well i've taken the freehub apart 4 times now, tripple checked every nut, bolt, etc and there's still play in the freehub

The wheels are going back

[Janosh]

With the cassette removed you can rock the freehub body on the hub. I've tripple checked that everything is assembled correctly, so im heading back to the shop for advice tomorrow.

Edited by Janosh on Friday 13th July 22:25

[Janosh]

Been to the shop, and the good news is that the guys there say that the amount of play i have is not unusual...

The bad news is that they agree that "it's not the best"

Not sure what to do now. Do i just take the view that i'll need a new freehub or one of the american 'bushing kits' in the near future?!

Not the best start to ownership of what are in my opinion reasonably expensive wheels..

[Janosh]

Thanks guys, going to get them fitted (again) and get riding!

[Janosh]

Here she is, looking fast with her new hoops: