Mavic's Cosmic Carbone 40C carbon clinchers are not light, in either weight or on the pocket. They felt fast and passed the bling test but left us wanting more for our money.
By Myles McCorry
Around 15 years ago I bought my first set of Mavic Cosmic wheels; an alloy, heavy, shiny wonder. They were 50mm with a knife-sharp edge to slice through the wind and the opposition.
Mavic introduced the 40mm Carbon clinchers last year so the delight at fixing them to my bike was hard to hide.
These are Mavic’s first full carbon clincher. They have had a carbon fairing bonded to an alloy rim for years, but this is their first foray into top end tyre wheels.
The issue with carbon clinchers of the heat build from braking friction melting resin obviously is not a good thing, but there are few descents in Ireland long enough for this to be an issue.
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While Campagnolo and Zipp use a true full carbon rim and resin technology to dissipate the heat, Mavic have opted for an aluminium core wrapped with the carbon structural rim.
The brake track is then finished with two types of resin they call ‘TgMAX technology’.
The 40mm deep rim has a V-shape profile, which flies in the face of the recent trend for a wider blunt rim, to offset crosswinds.
To the 19mm wide rim bed I had mounted a set of Michelin pro 23 mm, instead of Mavic's own Griplink tyres which they supply.
The use of threaded inserts to attach the spokes to the rims means holes do not need to be drilled in the rim bed.
The tyres were easily fitted and a 60mm tube left just enough to get the track pump gripping to 120PSI.
First pedal reactions were not amazing as at 1601grams- 56 grams heavier than quoted - they are not light. But once rolling they felt a marked improvement on the wheels I had take off moments before.
The alloy core must provide some structural integrity to the rim as they felt super stiff in the climb away from home. No chance of brake block rub with these regardless of the testers 80kg girth.
The light winds provided no adverse handling and my old school view is the V rim looks faster than the Zipp Firecrest so it must be; right?
These just felt fast. So fast that I kept looking down at them; fast. On any descent on the two rides I tested them, they felt solid and predictable.
The Mavic freehub body is compatible with 11-speed cassettes.
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Once on the flat they were a joy; rolling true and teasing you to get out of the saddle for a kick of more speed.
But that was before I sat down remembering that the wheels are world class; unlike me.
The hubs are just amazing; Mavic's QRM+ bearings are load adjustable, but why would you? They are easily replaced and superbly machined.
technology uses threaded inserts at the rim. There are no spoke holes so running tubeless is an option. in each wheel.
These were nice aero spokes that look like they could cut a brown loaf as well as the air.
The wheelset represents Mavic's first ever carbon clinchers.
So are they worth €2250/£1850?
Well, if you have it spare, have an allergy to tub glue and want an all-round wonder wheel to road race, these are for you.
For me? No.
They still don’t have the ‘life’ of a set of tubulars. And at 250 grams they are heavier than other similarly priced alternatives.
An alloy breaking surface performs better, so Mavic’s cheaper stable mate - the Cosmic SLE - that can survive a pot hole are a more attractive, if less bling package.
- For: Build quality, design, Mavic hubs. Visually stunning.
- Against: Weight, comparative price.
- Opposition: Dura Ace C35, Reynolds Assault.
- Score: 7/10.
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