Brian's Cramps and his Wheels

Brian Sopher has written to us in the past on different subjects, most recently his problem has been cramps in his hamstring. The good news is that he has found a cure; here we pass on his answer to what can be a terrible problem. Brian also has another question for us; he wants to know which wheels we prefer as an up grade form the choice of Shimano WH 550, ZIPP or Mavic, so this is what we think

Question: Hi Samuel,
Thanks once again for all the advice you are putting thru to the guys on the road. Coming back to the reply to my previous questions on hamstring cramps I have found a cure for that which if you like could be shared with others on your web site. I picked up tablets from a company called OSTEOCARE, each tablet contains Calcium 400mg, Magnesium 300ms, Zinc 10mg & Vitamin D. I have been taking these tablets twice a day after meals & I found that the cramps have disappeared.
I have a question: Which wheels are better to upgrade from Shimano WH 550, ZIPP or MAVIC. Thanks again.

Hi Brian,

That's great that you have found a cure for your cramps, races have been won and lost due to cramp, the big problem is that cramp is such a complicated subject and has many different causes. So if you are suffering like Brian was then have a try of his suggested cure and let's hope it works for you too, thanks for passing that on Brian.

Now to those wheels, you don't say which ZIPP's or Mavic's you are comparing to the Shimano 550's, but I guess you want something of a similar price, this is what we think.

Shimano WH 550

The Shimano 550's are lightweight, aerodynamic and hard wearing; they are based on the more expensive wheels from the Japanese company. Low-inertia hub mounted nipples, lightweight alloy rims with bladed spokes for aerodynamics and 16 in the front wheel and 20 in the rear for lightness. Stiff and light and weighing in at 1854 grams for the pair. Yea, a great pair of wheels, with every thing you need form a set of hoops at $250.

Here is where the problems start as the cheapest ZIPP wheels I could find where three times the price of the Shimano WH 550's. The ZIPP CSC Team wheels are a product of collaboration with the team over years of hard riding. These wheels are great for training or racing, they are based on the Zipp 95/220 hub set with Swiss DT spokes and Swiss Alloy rims and Swiss precision bearings, 28 spokes on the front and 32 rear. ZIPP claim that this wheel set will handle 20,000 + miles a year and the weigh 1500 grams for the set. Price $800.

These wheels are about the same price as the Shimano WH 550's and weigh 1835 grams, so not much difference there. The rims are Mavic Maxtal aluminum with SUP welded joints and UB control machined braking surface and the hubs are made with sealed cartridge bearings and straight pull spokes, 20 radial laced front and 24 crossed twice on the back. It can be used with Campagnolo 10 speed or Shimano 9 or 10 speed cassettes.

Well obviously the ZIPP's are the best amongst these three sets of wheels, but then they should be at that price. The other wheels are very good for the price and choosing between them is very difficult. If you are on Shimano equipment then go for the Shimano Wheels, but my first choice would be the Mavic Ksyrium Equipe as they are slightly lighter and has more spokes for strength. If you have lots of money get the ZIPP's, if not go for the Mavic's.

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