Ksyrium Destroyers Club

[TimD]

Whatever else one might say about them, Mavic Ksyriums have enjoyed a (deserved, IMO) reputation among my crew as being bomb-proof, at least with regards to the past few design iterations.

Well, we have a new member of the highly exclusive Ksyrium Destroyers Club. His accepted application is shown below. A hammer was used, and required, to extract the axle.

Two of the three members of the local chapter, including this one, simply rode their wheels literally tens of thousands of miles to destruction. The third member is a fairly big guy who likes to bunny-hop any and all obstacles in his path, which eventually led to a cracked spoke termination on the drive side of the rear hub.

Any other Club members want to share their stories?

.

[ultraman6970]

I have managed to bend campagnolo track axles, road axles too but never destroyed a hub like that ever. And had stuff like 25 years old, not even broken spokes. There are savages everywhere in the world tho.

[rice rocket]

That just looks like a lazy bike owner.

[spdcyclist]

I've popped several spokes on Ksyrium SSL rear wheels (drive side) ... Finally switched to Fulcrum Racing 1's. They are more stout ... no more spoke popping. :)

[Bob Loblaw]

Broke a rim on a ksyrium equip after a mere 10k miles. Loved the wheels till that happened.

BL

[Bob Ross]

I've never understood why Ksyriums get associated w/ the term "bomb-proof". I got a bike in 2006 that came equipped with Ksyrium Elites: Those wheels needed to be re-trued every ~2500 miles, plus I had to get the hubs rebuilt and/or bearings replaced 3 or 4 times before I finally said "no mas!" after 3 years and replaced them with some DT Swiss handbuilts by Joe Young.

[weiwentg]

That just looks like a lazy bike owner.

yeah - why did he need to forcibly extract the axle? did the owner not grease his hubs occasionally? I mean, I could easily take a set of new Ks and pound on them with a hammer and join the club at 0 miles and 120 lbs :beer:

[jeo99]

Bob,
Sorry for your poor luck! In my experience I have stayed with the original SSC versions every since they were first introduced. In-fact I still buy used SSC wheels when I see someone wants the newer, lighter versions. I have three sets originally and cannot tell you the 1,000's of miles on them. I am 6'2" 220# and should be a linebacker but would rather ride. The only issue, decals peeling off! That's it. Always in true. I have a tubular set that I CX with. Same thing, decals peeling and no other issues. Want to buy a set from me? Nevermind, think I'll keep 'em.

:beer:


I've never understood why Ksyriums get associated w/ the term "bomb-proof". I got a bike in 2006 that came equipped with Ksyrium Elites: Those wheels needed to be re-trued every ~2500 miles, plus I had to get the hubs rebuilt and/or bearings replaced 3 or 4 times before I finally said "no mas!" after 3 years and replaced them with some DT Swiss handbuilts by Joe Young.

[oldpotatoe]

I've never understood why Ksyriums get associated w/ the term "bomb-proof". I got a bike in 2006 that came equipped with Ksyrium Elites: Those wheels needed to be re-trued every ~2500 miles, plus I had to get the hubs rebuilt and/or bearings replaced 3 or 4 times before I finally said "no mas!" after 3 years and replaced them with some DT Swiss handbuilts by Joe Young.

Well, as a bike shop, we get to see Mavic wheels that are in need of service and we see a lot of them. Anecdotal, but I don't think these are very 'bomb proof'(dislike that term) at all. Their rear hub design, which requires frequent service, makes them less than a robust wheel. Add broken spokes, eyelets pulling out, not 'bomb proof' at all, IMHO. I think there are better choices for wheels at these price points. But Mavic does OE very well, making offers that bike makers and production managers can't refuse.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

+1. K Elites and NY don't seem to mesh well. Got on a first name basis with a LBS wheel guy because I was there so many times truing them. Finally got rid of them. K's are a lot of hype, IMO. I've never understood why Ksyriums get associated w/ the term "bomb-proof". I got a bike in 2006 that came equipped with Ksyrium Elites: Those wheels needed to be re-trued every ~2500 miles, plus I had to get the hubs rebuilt and/or bearings replaced 3 or 4 times before I finally said "no mas!" after 3 years and replaced them with some DT Swiss handbuilts by Joe Young.

[gavingould]

whoa. i'm 6'4 and around 230. For two years I've been riding a set of Ksyrium ES I picked up on ebay that supposedly had a couple thousand miles on 'em already - so far under me they're survived a season of cyclocross and year round Chicago weather.
I did manage to pop three spokes on the rear when a plastic bag floated into my rear der at 20mph and trashed the hanger, throwing everything right into the spokes. A Mavic dealer said I should send it to France and have them fully rebuild it for around $200 and a few weeks, but I convinced them to sell me three spokes, and took it to a known good wheelbuilder at another LBS. Good as new.
Did have to replace the bearings all around after doing this ride (http://gravelmetric.wordpress.com/) with them. Water up to and above the hubs, BB, etc...
in the second photo at that link, i'm the guy just entering the crossing.

[endosch2]

Ive been through this topic before - for me they are great wheels - I have a 5 year old set that has at least 10 K on them and I have never touched them.

[130R]

I have 3 sets of Ksyrium SL's, two SSC SL's and one SL.

one SSC SL needed new bearings with just over 40k put on them.

one SSC SL needed one new spoke after hitting a huge pothole at 30mph.

nothing needed with the SL yet.

IMO, I definitely think the wheels in that picture were neglected and what happened was user error.

[jeo99]

Maybe the reason you see so many Ksyriums is they have sold much more than the other wheels. Certainly the case in my part of the world.

:beer:

Well, as a bike shop, we get to see Mavic wheels that are in need of service and we see a lot of them. Anecdotal, but I don't think these are very 'bomb proof'(dislike that term) at all. Their rear hub design, which requires frequent service, makes them less than a robust wheel. Add broken spokes, eyelets pulling out, not 'bomb proof' at all, IMHO. I think there are better choices for wheels at these price points. But Mavic does OE very well, making offers that bike makers and production managers can't refuse.

[TimD]

I have 3 sets of Ksyrium SL's, two SSC SL's and one SL.

one SSC SL needed new bearings with just over 40k put on them.

one SSC SL needed one new spoke after hitting a huge pothole at 30mph.

nothing needed with the SL yet.

IMO, I definitely think the wheels in that picture were neglected and what happened was user error.

The owner estimated this wheel had 60,000 (sixty thousand) miles on it.

[dirtdigger88]

does any of this matter - from my expericence these wheels make a great bike ride like crap -

wake up kids - the stiffest only works in Viagra commercials

ATMO- Mavic peaked with the helium wheelset - everything else has been marketing driven

[jeo99]

Go back to sleep!

[William]

does any of this matter - from my expericence these wheels make a great bike ride like crap -

wake up kids - the stiffest only works in Viagra commercials

ATMO- Mavic peaked with the helium wheelset - everything else has been marketing driven



Frackin-A!! I thought we lost that thong in the dryer. :cool:




William

[TAW]

Well, as a bike shop, we get to see Mavic wheels that are in need of service and we see a lot of them. Anecdotal, but I don't think these are very 'bomb proof'(dislike that term) at all. Their rear hub design, which requires frequent service, makes them less than a robust wheel. Add broken spokes, eyelets pulling out, not 'bomb proof' at all, IMHO. I think there are better choices for wheels at these price points. But Mavic does OE very well, making offers that bike makers and production managers can't refuse.

On the alternative, the shop I work at sells Mavic stuff quite often, and many of our bikes come equipped with Ksyriums. Quite frankly as many as we sell, I rarely ever see one come back for return that's malfunctioned in normal use. Yes, their hub design is not the greatest, and requires some maintenance, but that is really a simple process.

Also having owned a pair myself, I had few problems. I replaced one spoke in the 8 years that I owned them.

[katematt]

Figured I would post it here since you K riders are all together anyway.

Was riding with a buddy yesterday and while coasting down a hill his rear wheel starting making a loud noise sort of like a high pitched but not too high humming. Sort of like misadjusted brake pads on a wet rim, but a little duller.

It stops once he starts to pedal, and doesn't happen all the time he coasts down hill. But it is loud and leads me to believe something is not right.

I am sure there has been no maintenace, and he is a plus 200 racer who has had them for a few years now.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Monthly Payment]

Figured I would post it here since you K riders are all together anyway.

Was riding with a buddy yesterday and while coasting down a hill his rear wheel starting making a loud noise sort of like a high pitched but not too high humming. Sort of like misadjusted brake pads on a wet rim, but a little duller.

It stops once he starts to pedal, and doesn't happen all the time he coasts down hill. But it is loud and leads me to believe something is not right.

I am sure there has been no maintenace, and he is a plus 200 racer who has had them for a few years now.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

I had a similar thing happen to my Ksyriums. You can try what worked for me which was to drop some oil into the axle. Axle disassembly is ridiculously easy - take off the skewer and put the right size allen (i think its a 8mm) into the non drive side, loosen the bolt and using a towel pull off the cassette and axle. Clean what you can and drop some oil (not grease) and off you go. No more humming after that.

As for all the anti-Ksyrium comments I've read, the two here are about the Elites (steel spoke). I use the SLs (Aluminum spoke) and they rock. I think the ES and premiums are aluminum spoked as well. The Race and Equipe were steel spoke.

[tiretrax]

I "upgraded" my bike's wheels to Easton EA90SLX's. I broke 3 spokes in two months. I replaced them with SL's - no problems since. It may be time to service the bearings, but shouldn't that be normal with any wheel?

[Rainier1]

Figured I would post it here since you K riders are all together anyway.

Was riding with a buddy yesterday and while coasting down a hill his rear wheel starting making a loud noise sort of like a high pitched but not too high humming. Sort of like misadjusted brake pads on a wet rim, but a little duller.

It stops once he starts to pedal, and doesn't happen all the time he coasts down hill. But it is loud and leads me to believe something is not right.

I am sure there has been no maintenace, and he is a plus 200 racer who has had them for a few years now.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

The freehub body on these wheels is one of people's complaints, and likely to be your problem. Remove the axle with two hex wrenches, either two 5mm or an 8mm and a 5 depending, and clean the bushing on the fh body out. Clean the pawls and the rubber gasket while your'e at it. Then relube with mineral oil or whatever you prefer, and that should make it freewheel with less drag and noise.

If there isn't too much wear this should work. Sometimes the bushing is toast and a new fhb is needed.

[oldpotatoe]

Figured I would post it here since you K riders are all together anyway.

Was riding with a buddy yesterday and while coasting down a hill his rear wheel starting making a loud noise sort of like a high pitched but not too high humming. Sort of like misadjusted brake pads on a wet rim, but a little duller.

It stops once he starts to pedal, and doesn't happen all the time he coasts down hill. But it is loud and leads me to believe something is not right.

I am sure there has been no maintenace, and he is a plus 200 racer who has had them for a few years now.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Very common. Needs a take apart, clean and oiling of the bushing at the base of the FH body, the seal. I use Mobil One. Also check the cart bearings. Pretty stout but they can give up also. Samo for front. There seems to be a real shortage of grease where these things are assembled. Pry the seals off the cart bearings, grease in there, seals back on, grease around the axles, which come dry like the desert when new.

[oldpotatoe]

The freehub body on these wheels is one of people's complaints, and likely to be your problem. Remove the axle with two hex wrenches, either two 5mm or an 8mm and a 5 depending, and clean the bushing on the fh body out. Clean the pawls and the rubber gasket while your'e at it. Then relube with mineral oil or whatever you prefer, and that should make it freewheel with less drag and noise.

If there isn't too much wear this should work. Sometimes the bushing is toast and a new fhb is needed.

Actually after the LH axle end comes off(Most ksyriums), it's a 10mm allen inside the axle, 5mm on the RH side. For lower end ones, 5mm allen and 17mm openend wrench all on the RH side. For info. I OVH these many times per week.

[Mikej]

That just looks like a lazy bike owner.
x2. Crappy upkeep on your equipment does not mean a crappy product when it fails. I have a set of 8 year old SSC K's that have been my only wheels. Sure you have to oil the bushing and all, but big deal - 8 FREAKIN' YEARS!