If Mavic's tubular carbon spokes are so wonderful...

windsock07
windsock07 Posts: 26
edited January 2010 in Road buying advice
..why do they put old-fashioned aluminium ones on the drive-side? (Mavic R-Sys, I'm talking about)

Cheers Windsock

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    windsock07 wrote:
    ..why do they put old-fashioned aluminium ones on the drive-side? (Mavic R-Sys, I'm talking about)

    Cheers Windsock

    Well, it's pretty much Mavic telling you they are wonderful spokes and I'm thinking that Mavic tells everyone who will listen that Mavic stuff is all wonderful.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    even mavic know they aren't wonderful, hence a recall, and at least one catastrophic post recall failure.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • windsock07
    windsock07 Posts: 26
    Yes, but i'm still wondering why they use the alu spokes.

    Is it because of the forces at the drive side? Is it what might happen if the rear mech goes into the wheel? Or is it something else?

    Also, anyone out there got a pair of R-sys and can give me a report on their performance so far?

    Cheers Windsock
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    windsock07 wrote:
    Also, anyone out there got a pair of R-sys and can give me a report on their performance so far?

    Cheers Windsock

    I'm pretty sure that the wheels WORK well and roll down the road OK, but for me it's not about performance it's about a thing called reliability. I really do hate it when wheels come apart. Nothing but a hassle, any way you look at it. :wink::wink:
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    It's so that your cassette can sit flush against the flat, bladed spokes on the drive side. :)


    I owned a set of the R-Sys wheels and had no problems whatsoever. OK - I lie. I think I broke a spoke at one point and had to replace it. But no massive structural failures, etc.

    After they had the recall - I got my free set of wheels (sold on eBay) and my new free front wheel - and sold them on eBay.

    There are better wheels out there for the same or less money that you won't have to worry about.

    And they were not aero in any sense of the word.
  • windsock07
    windsock07 Posts: 26
    Thanks, folks.

    Pokerface - what would you recommend as an alternative. I like the lightness and speed of Ksyriunm SL but they don't seem too stiff under load. I thought the R-sys would maybe be the solution to that conundrum.

    I've got Shimano RS80 just now which seem good stiff climbing wheels but don't seem as fast as Ksyrium on flat. I am looking for something light, stiff and fast.

    Any advice?

    Cheers Windsock
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    how much are you willing to pay..?
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    I got myself a pair of Cosmic Carbone SL clinchers for the less money than the R-Sys wheels.

    Easton EA90SL or SLX are good wheels too.

    Just have to shop around and it depends on your budget and what you want the wheels for.

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