Ksyrium Elites or Fulcrum racing 3s - Help me decide

I have the R3's, they are very good.
Only ever ridden lower end Mavic's some sets were good others not so.
I was in similar situation when I chose the R3's and spent ages deliberating.

Hi,

I can't comment on the Fulcrums but I have the latest set of K Elites and they are really lovely wheels. I bought them to replace a set of Shimano RS80s and they are noticably stiffer and faster than those. I've only done about 1000km on them so far in a week in Spain (they came off when I got home to protect them from the weather) but they were great while I was out there. A friend has the K Elites from about 5 years ago, and they're still going strong. Never been trued and lots of life left in the rims, so they appear to last well

Hi, to try to help.
I have both sets (and just sold FR1's) and I have to say that I prefer the Ksyrium Elites to the Fulcrum 3's - even to the R1's to be honest.
I have had my older Ksyriums for donkeys and they go back on every winter and no probs whatsoever. My later KEs are going back on today.
Having said that the F3's are a good wheelset, I just prefer the KE's, and the FR3's have a LOUD freehub.
No horns or bells required.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Trikeman.

There's not much in it but the Mavic is slightly better. 700c is right, if you are on a budget, a set of Zondas would perform the same as R3 for a fair bit less money. The Elites are more expensive but a bit stiffer. Zondas and Elites are class leading at their respective price points.

I have Fulcrum 3s and have been very happy with them.

Run them for nearly three years now, mainly as my training wheels but I sometimes use them in races too, depending on gearing.

I'm about 80kg and have never had any problems. They would have done about 25,000km by now. Would definitely get them again.

I have a pair of Kysrium Elites - thousands of miles and still running true and smooth. Mavic every time for me.

Mavic Everytime!

If it helps... Birthday next month, same dilemma . After so much research, visits to shops & lots of questions to bike mates have decided will be getting ksyrium elites, fulcrum don't come even close!

..or campag Zonda and save yourself a few quid over FR3 (they are same wheel with a different spoke pattern).

Fulcrum/ campag are great wheels at this level but a note of caution - rim replacement is expensive due to their specialist nature and the expertise required.

Choosing a wheelset with easily replaceable parts would be a better long term option. Perhaps mavic forts the bill here, but best bet is handbuilts from LBS or online.

I had some Ksyrium Elites on a bike a few years ago, before it was nicked, and they were great. Strong enough to give me confidence with potholes but light enough to make a big (positive) difference to the bike. I can't compare, I've not had Fulcrums, but a thumbs up for the Elites.