Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL - Any good?

jordan_217

My mate has offered me a brand new set (clincher) for £500. They came with his new bike but he want's to stick with his Zipps.

I don't doubt that this is good deal but I don't know much about these wheels. They seem to get strong reviews and I've seen a few comments on this forum but would like some advice, please.

In 'real-world' terms, would I notice an improvement in these wheels over my current set, American Classic 420 Aeros?

FransJacques

For £500 they're ok. Make sure they fit your cassette.

They're not the best climbing wheels and you need to ride north of 30 kph to get the benefit - but for a flat ride like the Ch'ti tour they'd be primo.

giant_man

Any worry with crosswinds? I always have buffeting and wind trouble in mind with deep section wheels like these. Perhaps I'm wrong I don't know.

Wheelspinner

They are a bit susceptible to cross winds, but not badly.

I bought a set of these, and to be honest, am ever so slightly disappointed. I have a variety of wheels, including Ksyrium SSC SL, Elites, and Fulcrum Racing 1, plus an older pair of Campag Eurus.

The Carbones are certainly faster when you are motoring along over 30 km/h. I find I can maintain an average speed a couple of kays faster than on the other wheels, BUT, they are heavier, and the hubs (which are the same as the Elites) don't seem to spin quite as freely as the SSC SL or Racing 1's. Plus, a bit noisy... valve stem rattles, and what sounds like spokes rattling a bit on the carbon over bumpy roads.

If you do lots of TT or flattish road riding, they are good. They are strong, braking is good, and they are well made.

If you do a lot of hills... better with some lighter wheels for the money IMHO.

I'm going to sell mine after only 4 months use, as I spend more time on hilly roads than flat, and these just aren't the right wheels for the job for me.

jordan_217

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

The majority of reviews did mention the weight of the wheels, making them unsuitable for hilly courses.

However, I've looked at other wheels such as the Shimano DA WH7850 50mm carbon clincher and they weigh an average of 1695g (without skewers) the Mavics are only 1740g (also without skewers, I think)

In fact most wheels in the same category/price bracket weigh in the region of 16-1800g. Is there something about the Mavics in particular that make the weight an issue? Or is this generally the case with most 50-60mm carbon clinchers?

So, if I'm using the wheels for mid/long distance Triathlons (typically not hilly courses) and the occasional 10 - 25 mile TT would they be fit for purpose? FWIW, I'm a much stronger rider on the hills than the flats anyway.

Please keep the advice coming, they seem to be a bargain of a wheel for £500 but then again, that's an expensive mistake. Shall I just keep my money and look elsewhere?

LangerDan

Bear in mind that they are not carbon wheels - that are an alloy rim (modified Open Pro) with a V-shaped carbon fairing. Their published weights are quite optimistic.
You can get all-carbon wheels at this price point (£500)- eg Planet X but they are tubs. All-carbon clinchers are considerably more expensive

As wheelspinner has said "They are strong, braking is good, and they are well made" - I've used mine for road races and crits without problems. They are heavy-ish but at least I don't find myself wincing if I hit a pothole.

Haven't experience much of a problem with crosswinds - unlike a pair of deep section HPlus Son SL 42s I have which get very "sticky" once you are over 40kmh with a sidewind.

If I was in the market for similar wheels again. particularly if they are going to be race-only wheels, I'd give a lot more consideration to full carbon tubs BUT I think having alloy braking tracks might swing me back towards the Cosmics.

nicholasj

I had almost the same situation at the beginning of summer - I was riding a pair of Shimano RS10's and brought some Carbone's off my friend for £350.00 - I was keen to give them a go and I thought for the price at worst I could sell them on and not lose any money..

The Carbones are a a touch lighter compared to the RS10's so I wasnt worried about weight. I commute on them each day in London and on weekends/weeknights do a few rides into Surrey and Kent etc as well as some sportives.

I have noticed a small difference on the hills (due to stiffness in my opinion) but otherwise cruising speeds have increased quite a wee bit - these arent hard to get up spinning but when they are you can fly along smoothly.

Wind buffeting is noticeable - but nothing major and is easy to handle.

I am really happy with a) how the wheels perform for the price and the benefits and b) how the wheels look on my Tarmac.

Out of interest I was also about to pull the pin on some Dura Ace Carbon laminate 7850's and was looking for some Ksyrium SL's - but for the price I got the Mavics for which included an Ultegra cassette I couldnt pass the deal up.

I've only good things to say so far - stiff, fast and very strong.

N ~

jordan_217

Thanks for the advice and feedback on this.

I may try to get a test ride, but I think he wants to keep them as new as possible for a quick sale.

Hmm, I don't think I'd consider them if t I was buying at the SRP/RRP but at £500 (Planet X (ish) and Fuerte Bici money) they do seem a good buy, particularly for what I'll use them for.

I'm definitely liking the idea of some deep section carbon clinchers and was hoping to buy some next year, but I'll need to have a good think about it first.


Cheers everyone.

Wheelspinner

jordan_217 wrote:

So, if I'm using the wheels for mid/long distance Triathlons (typically not hilly courses) and the occasional 10 - 25 mile TT would they be fit for purpose? FWIW, I'm a much stronger rider on the hills than the flats anyway.

For that kind of use, these are perfect. The weight is not an issue so much in TT or triathlons. Use them with some GOOD lightweight tyres and tubes and you will be one happy (and fast) rider. Schwalbe Ultremo R.1 tyres are excellent for that.

desmosedici

Echoing what Wheelspinner and others have said ...

I have a pair installed on a Bianchi 928 C2C as my "cruising" bike. Mainly used for flat runs or easy rolling hills. I've noticed that they really come into play above the 30 km/h point, where I can hold the peloton's speed for a little less effort (based on my HRM).

I've taken them hill climbing on a 100 mile sportive, and paid the price on a very heavy "staircase" uphill. The descent, on the other hand, put a smile on my face.

My opinion? Good for fast, rolling rides at high average speeds.

Captain Fagor

jordan_217 wrote:

I'm definitely liking the idea of some deep section carbon clinchers and was hoping to buy some next year, but I'll need to have a good think about it first.

At that price, I'd say go for it. I have a pair of Carbone Premium SLs, and they satisfied my hankering for deep section rims. Great on flat rides and calm conditions. And once you hear the noise they make, it just gets better! Having said that, they're not good on hills or cross winds.

If you miss this boat, you'll be shelling out a lot more (~£750+) for a decent set of deep section clinchers.

alan_sherman

If you get them I reccomend the michelin long valve latex tubes. The valve is long enough so you don't need to use valve extenders and the plastic sleeve around the valve stops the valve rattling against the fairing. It is almost as if the tube is designed for these wheels!