2) Climbing
2) Climbing
Our test route featured two, punchy climbs, which offered an admittedly short platform on which to test the relative climbing prowess of both wheels.
The Aeolus 3 D3 again held the edge. Its superior acceleration allowed us to hit the first climb harder (begun on the exit from a sharp, right-hand corner) and its greater capacity to hold momentum meant the performance advantage was retained for the second, which was reached at the end of a short plateau.
The Ksyrium Elite S ceded just 30g to the Aeolus 3 D3 but it was the latter’s ability to carry speed that counted more on the short climbs of our test circuit than its slender weight advantage.
Even on longer ascents, we wouldn’t expect climbing prowess to be the principal advantage offered by Bontrager’s hoop, or the greatest deficiency of the Ksyrium Elite S.
Only on extended and super steep climbs where speeds are very low does low weight become a wheel’s most desirable quality, and then savings have to be significant (witness the WorldTour climbing specialists routine switch to the likes of Zipp’s 1140g 202 wheelset, or Shimano’s 1110g C24).