Mavic Ksyrium SLR vs Cosmic Carbone SLE

karstenk

Hi

I'm having a real problem, deciding which bike (Canyon) to get. So I'm staring to look at which wheel I would like, to rule out some of the possibilities.

It's either Mavic Ksyrium SLR or Cosmic Carbone SLE.
http://www.mavic.com/wheels-roadtriathl ... vdskWJdX4s
http://www.mavic.com/wheels-roadtriathl ... vdVBmJdX4s

Two different wheels it seems. But how big is the difference really?

I would expect a big difference regarding aerodynamics. I have not been able to find any tests for these models, but I have found this test made by Tour in 2011, have some similar wheels
http://www.tour-magazin.de/services/qtr ... 7.html#/94
http://www.tour-magazin.de/services/qtr ... .html#/102

Aerodynamic drag at 40 km/h
Cosmic Carbone SLR 15,4 watt
Ksyrium Elite 18,2 watt

Most of the wheels are actually within something like 5-10 watt difference.
Does this really mean that In a race, going around 40km/h and drafting in the pack. I will only save something like 3 Watt?
If I get it right, aero wheels are highly overrated, except they really do look great :-)


Then there is weight, 210g difference. Not sure I understand everything: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_performance, but weight doesn't seems not to matter that much either.

The last thing I can thing of is strength / stiffness, I don't think this is really important for me, I'm light and weak, so can't generate a lot of power. But I could of course be wrong?

Last thing. I will be riding races (around 100km, mostly flat often including short and a bit steep hills). And occasionally I will taking a grand fondo in the real mountains.


My conclusion

If I got the Cosmic Carbone, I would need a second pair of racing wheel for situations with strong wind and climbing mountains.
Therefore as the wheels are pretty close when coming to aerodynamic performance. I will be better of with getting the Ksyrium SLR, this way I only need one set of wheels.

What do you think ? Thanks for any help

sloppyschleckonds

Sell either set and buy some handbuilts with nice hubs and also get a set of chinese carbon tubs.

btiratsoo

Never ridden cosmics but I have ksyrium slr's and I love them. Light, stiff and transformed my supersix. Yes, they are expensive but I like the look of them and the finish is surviving well in this shit winter we are having.

Unfortunately I can't comment on the aerodynamics of them as it's my only set of wheels. I don't race either. But I am 17 stone, ride in all weathers and as I said, they have transformed my bike. It feels sharp and nimble. Accelerates well. Ultimately i bought them because I like the look of them. Along with that, it was the durability of the finish that sold me on them. Seems so far that Mavic have created a bloody good all year wheel. They are expensive though.

ugo.santalucia

btiratsoo wrote:

I don't race either. But I am 17 stone, ride in all weathers and as I said, they have transformed my bike.

and I suppose you know Mavic says you should not be riding them...

foggymike

I'd second something like SS says. If you get some tubs you can have aero and lighter too if you can get your head around it.

From the two you mention I'd get the ksyriums and either stick with just those as all rounders or save for some deeper rimmed tubs on top. Personally I spent more on my tubs than on what I treat as shallower back up wheels, but it depends which you'll use more and what you value.

Remember if you do go down the 2 wheelset route you will need to change (and maybe align) brake pads every time if swapping from carbon to alu rims, or from exalith to normal alu rims. PITA!

rhaddo

I have the ksyrium SLR in tubular form and they make me feel like a decent cyclist rather than the average one that i am. Having said that I would not buy again, they are very expensive and parts are a complete rip off. Hand builds for me next time round. I also have zipp 404 in tubular and I find this is the best all round wheel, no problem with the wind, light in tubular format, aero. Just need to watch out for exploding hubs! But again when these die I will go hand built knowing what I know now and especially given zipp and mavic prices.
If only given the choice of ksyrium or car one I would go ksyrium in tubular if possible!