Reynolds Solitude and Mavic Cosmic Elites

stevedarcy
stevedarcy Posts: 7
edited April 2008 in Workshop
I've narrowed my search for some reasonably priced (less than £350) all round wheels to the Reynolds Solitude and Mavic Cosmic Elites. Ribble are doing a fantastic deal on the Mavics (£250) but on the downside they are pretty heavy.

Comments

  • SeanT
    SeanT Posts: 51
    I have the Solitudes as a warranty replacement for the Reynolds Alta Races. Mine are lighter than Reynolds claim at about 1500g the pair without skewers.

    They have been great so far but I've only done a couple of hundred miles on them. The front is much stiffer than the Alta Race and freewheel much quieter. They are nice wheels light and aero.
  • richardjallen
    richardjallen Posts: 691
    I have the Alta Races and like them but I have not tried Mavic before. Seems you have to pay £400+ to get light ones and the Alta Race/Solitude have an aero rim. From what Sean said the Solitude sound even better than the Alta Race.
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    I wouldn't describe the Cosmic Ellite as an all rounder - it's a stiff, heavy aero wheel aimed at TT so maybe not what you are looking for.

    I've no idea about the Solitude, but my Alta Comps are a bit to flexy for my liking.
    http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    the difference in weight is not huge ...

    mavics will be more robust ... reynolds will be a bit faster (a bit lighter, and a bit more aerodynamic)
  • SDP
    SDP Posts: 665
    i voted for mavics...

    whilst being bombproof ( hence being on my winter/training bike )

    they are heavy ( ish )

    quite aero tho :oops: ...

    i had them for durability ....

    got OP ceramics/tune for summer best wheels ......

    the ride on cosmics is "firm" ....shall we say

    good wheel if you want to do a club 10 say ..
    www.mjsracing.net
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    wildmoustache wrote:
    the difference in weight is not huge ...

    350g is a pretty big difference I reckon.
    wildmoustache wrote:
    mavics will be more robust ... reynolds will be a bit faster (a bit lighter, and a bit more aerodynamic)

    Have you got any stats on the Solitude or the Cosmic Elite?
    I'd expect the opposite as the Cosmic Elite has fewer spokes and they are flat rather than round as on the Solitude and they both have almost identical rim depths.
    http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    simbil1 wrote:
    wildmoustache wrote:
    the difference in weight is not huge ...

    350g is a pretty big difference I reckon.
    wildmoustache wrote:
    mavics will be more robust ... reynolds will be a bit faster (a bit lighter, and a bit more aerodynamic)

    Have you got any stats on the Solitude or the Cosmic Elite?
    I'd expect the opposite as the Cosmic Elite has fewer spokes and they are flat rather than round as on the Solitude and they both have almost identical rim depths.

    350g is a fair bit in total weight, but based on what i've seen of them i think a fair bit of that is at the hub. not to say it isn't a saving worth having though.

    no stats to hand. you're right that fewer spokes helps, but the reynolds are i think much thinner which will help. are the reynolds spokes round? my alta races are more eliptical shaped.
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    Yes, I guess the weight difference will be mainly in the mavic hubs rather than the rims so not as bad as it could be.

    The Solitude uses DT competition and revolution spokes which I believe are round..?
    http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes
  • richardjallen
    richardjallen Posts: 691
    simbil1 wrote:
    The Solitude uses DT competition and revolution spokes which I believe are round..?

    My alta race are the same spokes and they are certainly round. There are no nipples though. The front wheel at least is a bit flexy, I can see it moving side-to-side over rough patches. Other people have complained of broken spokes with the ar's but I have never had one. I have been thinking of Mavics for my get-to-work bike because people always say how strong they are. On my fun bike I would much prefer the reynolds.

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