Reynolds Stratus DV Clincher vs. Ksyrium SSL SC

Okay. This blog has collected enough dust. Time to get back on the blogging bandwagon.

When I first got my Orbea, it was built up with Shimano R550s to try to hit a consumer-friendly price point. Being a relative newbie to road cycling yet also someone who can't seem to leave well enough alone, I asked the LBS what one upgrade they would make to the bike before it left the shop. They recommended wheels, and I slapped on some Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs before I turned a wheel.

Although the folks over at Weight Weenies can't seem to agree on whether these wheels suck or not, I found them stiff and relatively bulletproof (turns out if you hit a barbed wire fence at 30+ mph, they will actually bend).

I've happily ridden these wheels for two years now, swapping the front when I managed to destroy it on the aforementioned barbed wire fence, but about six months ago I got the upgrade itch.

Despite the fact that the bike is far more machine than I am cyclist, I got it in my craw that I wanted some deep carbon wheels. No really defensible reason other than "they're cool", "they might be faster" and "new stuff is shiny". I even had myself convinced to try tubulars at one point, but realized two things:

1. I have precious little time as it is to ride, much less glue tires
   
2. My wife said she would provide neutral support. Once.
   

So, in the interest of domestic peace and accepting the dual reality that not only did I not need a new set of wheels and I certainly didn't need a set of tubulars, I started shopping for carbon clinchers.

It turns out that if you want aero carbon clinchers, you've got a limited number of choices that aren't boat anchors. My own personal goal was to get a pair of wheels that weighed in less than my Ksyriums (supposed to be ~1550 grams but widely reported to be over 1600g) and were truly a full structural carbon clincher.

That immediately ruled out the Mavic Cosmic Carbone's (plastic fairing bonded to aluminum) and the Zipp 404 clinchers (also boat anchors at 1,672g). Zipp claims they don't make a full carbon clincher rim because the heat build-up in the rim under heavy braking could cause tube failure due to increased pressure.

I've personally never heard of this happening, and I know that there are full carbon clinchers running around out there under the bikes of pro riders. Plus, it seems like every poseur is running Zipps.

This poseur is going to run something different. So, it comes down to the following:

• Corima Aero or Aero+
  
• Various builders selling permutations of the Gigantex rim
  
• Reynolds DV46C
  

The Corimas are awfully pretty with that 12k weave, but they limit you to 110 PSI. I run Vredesteins at 140 PSI, and I didn't like the implied fragility of those rims. That, and the domestic distributor has jacked the price of Corimas to track the gold market.

The random Gigantex-sourced rims are on the more affordable side (~$1,500), but I'm not crazy about someone who didn't do any in-house R&D and is essentially a glorified wheel builder.

That leaves me with the Reynolds.

• Full structural carbon clincher
  
• 1484g
  
• DT Swiss spokes and hubs
  
• Available 3-year crash protection program for $200
  

Okay, so the downside to the Reynolds is price. They're about $2300 before you buy the 3 year protection program for $200, so they're a little crazy expensive. They aren't Lews or Lightweights, but they cost more than my frame. By a good margin.

As a combination Father's Day, Birthday, and probably every holiday I can think of for the next few years, I put a deposit down on a pair of DV46Cs. Given the fact that the LBS is out of stock, I'm riding a loaner pair of Stratus DV Clinchers while I wait.

Originally, these borrowed rims had with some Maxxis Columbiere tires mounted. My first ride out, I leaned the bike into a turn and the front end got so squirrly on me I thought it was going to wash out. Fearing for my life and questioning the rationality of my impending $2500 investment, I mounted up the Vredesteins and gave it another go.

These rims (last year's, without the DT Swiss Hubs) rock. Conversely, Maxxis Columbieres suck.

I never realized how vertically stiff the Ksyriums were until I got something else under me. I always felt squirrly in corners with even somewhat choppy pavement on the Ksyriums. The bike is an aluminum main triangle with a carbon rear, but it's just plain stiff.

The Reynolds just soak it up while still giving me a great solid feel for the road. I find myself (foolishly, I'm sure), carving through corners at 3 to 5mph faster on these wheels than I could comfortably do on the Ksyriums.

I set a new PR around The Three Bears of 1:01:53, and they just plain look cool.

The old graphics kinda suck, but the new wheels look quite striking. Sure, I don't need a pair of wheels that cost more than my frame, but GOD they're fast and confidence-inspiring. Even with standard Ultegra pads, braking power feel is positive and sure (I haven't ridden them in the rain -- yet).

I'm suitably impressed. I'll probably rebuild the rear Ksyrium and put a trainer tire on it for the rainy season, but I'm really looking forward to getting my own DV46Cs on the bike this week.