Campagnolo, Fulcrum or Mavic Wheels?

Alistair Simpson wants to buy himself a smart pair of wheels for racing and training. He has selected three pairs of wheels that are by far amongst the best around, Shamal from Campagnolo, Zero from Fulcrum and Ksyrium SL Premiums. As always it's a very difficult job to split them, but here goes!

Question:
I am looking for a light set of wheels for road racing and general use. I'm torn between Campag's Shamal Ultra, Fulcrum Zeros or Mavic Ksyrium SL Premiums. The Shamals are lightest, and I can get them for about $150/GBP80 less than the Fulcrums. What are your thoughts?

Hi Alistair,

You don't say which components you are using, but I guess you must be in Campagnolo, if so then there are no problems with cassettes and such. All are available now for Shimano, but if you are on Campagnolo there are fewer problems with the Shamal and the Fulcrum Zero.

Campagnolo Shamal Ultra

The gold finish on the Shamal's makes them stand out, as does the G3 spoke pattern on the rear wheel and the carbon shell hubs. Weighing in at only 1398 grams, these are very light and if you are looking at the tubular version then they are even lighter. The front rim has a 26mm profile and the rear is 30mm, strength and lightness where they are most needed. No rim tape needed and the rim is CNC machined for weight and balance and the valve hole/rim joint is also balanced.

The Zero wheels are heavier at 1570 grams, the front wheel has 16 radial spokes, the rear has 21 spokes, radialy and two cross. The hubs are oversize and aluminum with precision bearings. No need for rim tapes as there are no spoke holes on the inside of the rim, this makes the rim stronger also. These are the heaviest of the three, so not our first choice.

At 1480 grams, the Ksyrium SL Premium comes in between the other two. Very accurate brake surface and different rim profiles makes these very similar to the others, no spoke holes and radial and crossed spoke patterns, 18 front and 20 rear. The front hub shell is made of carbon and the rear is oversize aluminum. Titanium quick release and titanium in the rear axle also saves weight.

It has to be the Gold Shamal wheels, they are the lightest, equally well made as the others and have carbon hubs, if you like gold then these are the ones to go for and if you can get them at a great price then there is nothing to think about, and it has to be the draw of the gold!

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