Mavis Ksyrium SL or R-Sys

Brewsterwmb

If I have remembered the right initials etc in the right order?!? I'm sure those that know, know what I'm going on about...

I don't race. Serious sportive kinda guy

The Kennington Kaiser

R-Sys, mate. They look nicer.

JesseD

Fulcrum Rcaing 1's, they are cheaper, stronger and don't weigh that much more than the R-SYS (actual weights as I weighed both sets in my LBS one after another), you can also get them in 2-way fit.

Plus it's also worth considering that you can replace spokes easily on the Fulcrums and not on the Mavic's

Monty Dog

The R-Sys are pretty light and comfortable but not very aero. The Ksyrium SLs are pretty tough and stiff - maybe overly so and not very aero either. A lot depends on you as a rider i.e. weight, style and what you want them for. Its worth knowing that previous models of R-Sys had reliability problems too - but Mavic seems to have sorted it out. I replaced my SLs with a pair of Campagnolo Shamals - pretty similar to Fulcrum Race 1s - they're more comfortable feel faster and just as tough / reliable.

Brewsterwmb

Cheers guys. Worth the extra £400 or so some bike shop charge?!

Im a light weight climber. So any wheel feels stiff enough for me :P JesseD I was thinking that about the carbon spokes, but these will be for my new Sunday best bike.
Monty Dog
I spoke with Mavic at their stand at La Marmotte and they were very happy to admit about the initial problems and the fact that they launched them to soon. All seems to be sorted now! The Campagnolo Shamals are also on my list as I am trying to build an italian Stalion of a bike! So love your sign-off!! But the guy that I spoke to at Condor actual said that the Mavics were better as they CNC the rim out of one section oppose to bonding? Going into speak to the guys in my LBS today and pick their brains. Cheers all

giant_man

The SLs for me every time. They look prettier and are tougher given the problems with the initial batches of R-Sys last year ... I wouldn't trust them after that.

BigG67

I'm a fan of the R-SYS but after a spectacular fall (not caused by the wheels) I snapped 3 spokes. Mavic don't recommend replacing single spokes because of the risks in damaged spokes on a wheel that needs them all working for stability.

So a full one side and £100 later.... :shock:

Brewsterwmb

Chaa CHING £$£$ Well Mavic would say that! Did your LBS think the same?

BigG67

It was some debate....the LBS weren't keen to go against Mavic and given that Mavic now won't sell single carbon spoke I was screwed. The rationale was that the spokes could be cracked and I'd not see it, and given the way they work if one or two fail the whole wheel can collapse.

Having said that the LBS understood why I was pi$$ed off and didn't mark up the cost of the spokes (they showed me the cost price in their brochure).

Gazzaputt

I just bought R-Sys premiums upgrading from Ksyrium Elites.

Stunning set of wheels especially for what Merlin Cycles are charging.

Straight out of the box first ride the difference was notable. Light and stiff find them so good for climbing.

giant_man

Hmm, carbon spokes are not the best idea in the world imo ....

Gazzaputt

giant mancp wrote:

Hmm, carbon spokes are not the best idea in the world imo ....

Why?

giant_man

Cos they keep breaking of course!

Chrissz

Carbon spokes are fantasstic!

I recently changed from Fulcrum Racing Zeros to Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLRs and the difference is quite noticeable. The carbon-spoked SLRs have much less lateral play (I'm a very heavy rider @225lbs but I can now run my brake blocks within 1mm of the rim without rubbing during out-the-saddle efforts) yet they soak up the vibes much, much better - definitely more comfortable!

Yes, there is a risk of damaging the spokes but then there's always a risk of smashing the bike up every time you go out anyway - why not enjoy it

Stevo_666

Brewsterwmb wrote:

Im a light weight climber. So any wheel feels stiff enough for me :P

If that's the case, have you considerded Dura-Ace 7850 CL's? Get very good feedback on here: or are you fixed on Mavics?

racingcondor

For a non-racing climber I'd think about Hed Ardenne's and the DA 7850 CL's. Both excellent wheel sets.

Fulcrum 1's would probably be what I'd buy now but only because I'd be racing crits on them and value the extra stiffness. They're tough but probably stiffer than the OP needs in my opinion.

Gazzaputt

giant mancp wrote:

Cos they keep breaking of course!

Have you experienced this at all?

2010 Mavics are perfectly fine. I have seen no reports of them failing at all or can you tell me otherwise?

Monty Dog

FWIW Shamals have milled rims too - practicall the same weight as SLs as makes no difference. if I was choosing between the Shamal and the Ksyrium SL, I'd go for the Shamals, particularly as you're a lighter rider and the SL's may be too stiff and they're less aero too. R-Sys is tricky - they're lighter and a little more compliant, but the downside is less aero and less durable - I'd certainly not buy they if I was flying lots.

giant_man

Durablility - thats the word. I just couldn't bring myself to trust them, no matter how 'improved' they claim to be now.

Brewsterwmb

so much food for thought guys.. Im trying a few pairs of a few wheel sets over the next few weeks. Naturally performance and aesthetics will come into play.. As I am building a new bike with nothing to do with Shimano on it some choices are obviously out

Monty Dog Mine cant be a full Italian new bike, but the frame and much of the rest will be ( on the side) With maybe a little side order of DT Swiss