Test Mavic Cosmic SL wheels (pads)

Although the market is almost exclusively geared towards disc brakes, there are still many users who ride bikes with rim brakes. Whether it's a question of personal preference, or the terrain and weather encountered during outings, or the desire to extend the experience to keep your budget within certain limits, The reasons for this choice are potentially numerous. Among the manufacturers that still offer wheels for this type of braking, Mavic remains a brand that is trying to attract fans of this technology. old school for some, with a pair of wheels full of personality: the Cosmic SL. Let's see what it looks like after 2500 km of driving.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – ​​Photos: www.3bikes.fr, Mavic

Features that promote versatility

A historic wheel manufacturer, Mavic knows its stuff and when it comes to tester a pair of “all-purpose” wheels in a rather interesting price range, it is towards this model that I was oriented. Indeed, with a 40 mm profile in the shape of a "U" and a wide rim (26 mm and 19 mm internally), the results are often very satisfactory because This type of wheel allows a good ratio between weight, aerodynamics, rigidity, stability and handling. Suggest an upward or downward profile, would necessarily have meant a degradation of one of these qualities. Another advantage of the model and to stay in tune with the times – although some brands have stopped this possibility – the Cosmic SL are Tubeless compatible. A feature that improves grip and comfort in particular. However, in the test, tires with inner tubes were used. Note that Mavic recommends tires from 25 to 32 mm wide, which offers a wide range to promote responsiveness on one side or comfort on the other (and grip).

In the French brand's wheel range, the Cosmic SL is in second place in the hierarchy. This is dominated by the Cosmic SLR model, whose additional price (€2100 instead of €1450) is justified by the following improvements:

• The fork support is lighter in the SLR version, which allows a weight saving of 10 g.
• At the level of the rays, they are moretage aerodynamic, elliptical (Mavic patent) and thinner on the SLR, for a weight saving of 100 g.
• The rim is classic on the SL while it benefits from the Fore Carbon concept on the SLR, which represents a gain of 100 g.

The SL model of the test sticks to 1617 g verified, which is not particularly light for a 40 mm profile but in this case, the search for the lowest possible weight was not in the specifications of the brand. This aspect is thus left to its big sister, the SLR which navigates around 1400 g.

Finally, and this is a A real strong point that could justify the purchase on its own, the two models mentioned here are guaranteed for life and can benefit from the Mavic Care program (to see on www.mavic.com/care ) i.e. replacement programs in the event of a fall and loyalty, services included after online registration on the brand's website.

In the field

Before going for a ride, the inevitable montagand tires is a necessary step and not always the most fun. As mentioned above, these are classic tires (Tubetype) that were used during the test. Let's be clear, both for a Michelin Power All Season (in 28 mm) in front, and a Continental 5000 (in 25 mm) behind, the montagIt wasn't a laughing matter. And yet, it was a moment comfortably installed in the garage, with the right tools, no time constraints, that is to say without the need to complete the operation quickly because of cold weather or a sudden downpour. On the edge of the route, if rain or cold had gotten involved, there would have been reason to complain about the tedious repositioning of the tire. But the 2500 km covered during the test will therefore not have caused a puncture. Anyway, la Tubeless + preventive solution, which helps limit the risk of punctures requiring a stop at the edge of the route is certainly a good opportunity to avoid most of the inconveniences, not to mention the other advantagestagare supposed (comfort, grip, performance for the best), linked to Tubeless technology and widely adopted at the professional level.

From the first turns of the wheels, two characteristics stand out in particular: braking and vertical stiffness.

As for the slowdowns, at first they were not very reassuring, to the point of worrying about future outings in the rain or even in the dark.tagnot on the dry, with the pads supplied by Mavic. Fortunately, over the kilometers the whole system seemed to be running smoothly, as if the skate-rim pair had had to eliminate a layer that was too slippery and therefore not abrasive enough to give the right coefficient of friction and therefore the expected results. Thus, everything returned to normal with very satisfactory braking power even in the rain, although obviously the braking power of a disc system remains far ahead in terms of performance.

As for vertical rigidity, it will probably surprise the user. On bitumen joints and grooves which are unfortunately an increasingly frequent daily occurrence, the bike tends to "knock". To be certain that these impressions were not linked to the Specialized S-Works SL6 – Mavic Cosmic SL pair, outings were also carried out with a Levacon titanium frame, more tolerant and comfortable. The observation remained the same: you should not choose these wheels for their comfort. However, humans have unsuspected adaptability and the test having extended over several weeks, This characteristic, sometimes surprising at first, eventually faded away.Removing 0,5 bar of pressure from the tires was also a good way to limit this relative discomfort.

It is also easy to imagine that the SLR model with its smaller radii – thus deforming moretage – and its lighter rims are more forgiving at this level.

Moreover, and this is perhaps a corollary of this increased vertical rigidity, lateral rigidity is of the highest order, to the benefit of performance : nothing moves under the action of energetic pedal strokes, or even in a sprint. This will certainly delight cyclists who skim federation races, and in particular those who play for the first places during the final sprint or more simply, the "strong thighs" who do not always find in the wheels a partner accompanying their power.

For a less powerful cyclist who prefers to caress the pedals, This rigidity will not really be a handicap except on slightly steep climbs where the weight of 1617 g of the assembly associated with this rigidity, is not the best partner when 36×25 or 36×28 is required.

In any case, this wheelset will be a excellent complement to a frame deemed not rigid enough or for the user who wants to move the cursor of the overall rigidity of his bike upwards. At high speed on the flat, the impression left is also very good and the inertia-aerodynamic couple allows maintain a sufficiently high cruising speed without giving the impression of hitting the wind.

Another advantagetagand the versatile 40 mm profile combined with wide rims is general stability in crosswinds (not very noticeable in this case) or to approach tight bends after a significant increase in speed: there is no real need to change your habits compared to a lower profile, nor to have to "suddenly" adjust the steering to engage the bike.

The general balance sheet Mavic Cosmic SL wheels clearly show that this is a model that must be chosen with full knowledge of the facts. Due to a slightly high weight (but rather beneficial when the pace is high due to inertia) and a significant general rigidity, both vertically and laterally, these are wheels that will show their advantagetage on rather fast courses. On the other hand, rather rolling climbs will not pose any problems.

Thus, fans of performance under duress will be delighted while the Climbers who scour steep passes in search of a smooth and economical pedal stroke will likely turn to the SLR model., approximately 210 g lighter and supposedly more accommodating and dynamic with its thinner spokes with a shape specifically developed for the model.

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