Should I return the Mavic Carbones?

Tom Demerly. - 2011-02-10 6:32 PM Carbones are pretty impressive wheels. If you do some research you'll see they have been ridden to multiple Tour de France stage wins and several World Championships. There are several versions of the Cosmic Carbone, all of them advanced.

One place Mavic has an edge over some of the other wheel manufacturers is in hub technology and with the interface between the hub flanges and the spokes. If you look carefully at these and compare them visually to other wheels from HED and Zipp you'll see a disntinctly different interface at the hug/spoke union.

The Cosmic Carbon borrows some technology for the Ksyrium wheels first debuted by Claudio Chiappucci in the final time trial of the 1990 Tour de France. LeMond beat Chiappucci for the win in the TT, but only just. Chiappucci had a rare technical edge over lemond because of his wheels. The original Ksyriums cost over $8000 US to produce. The Cosmic Carbones are a spin off of that wheel with enhanced aerodynamics and a deeper section rim.

One thing Mavic has achieved on Cosmic Carbone that other manufacturers have not is all-course durability. Carbones are oddly durable. There is a minor weight penalty compared to a HED Jet or Zipp 404 Firecrest but for most consumers the extra weight is worth it. Braking performance is also superb on these wheels without proprietary brake pads or brake adjustment.

The Belgian Ironman World Champion, Luke Van Lierde, once did a sub-8 hour Ironman on Mavic Cosmic Carbones. They are impressive wheels.

Cosmic - 2011-02-11 1:20 PM

I don't see the point in having 'training' and 'race wheels'.

I don't see the point in having 'training' and 'race wheels'.

jackmott - 2011-02-11 2:02 PM Well one reason is that the 'ideal' race wheelset would be a very deep front and a disc rear, a combo you wouldn't want to use in most group rides, and would not be allowed to use in races.

Another reason is fast tires can make even more difference than fast wheels, but they tend to be excessive, wear out faster, and flat easier, so you wouldn't want to do all your training on them. You could swap tires out for races but that is a pain if you race a lot.

Of course third, wearing out a $2000 race set for training rides where they are of little utility is expensive for some of us =)

Of course third, wearing out a $2000 race set for training rides where they are of little utility is expensive for some of us =)

x2.  One size never fits all and you will end up making compromises on both ends of the spectrum and have neither an ideal race wheelset nor an ideal training wheelset.  I think the best solution is keep your low end OEM wheelset for training (the "ideal" training wheels since you've already bought them and they're probably pretty durable) and buy an ideal race wheelset.  I have no problem if you want to train on your race wheels too, just to me, I would get nothing out of it...I'm still doing x watts for y time.  If you have free speed, the miles you cover may increase, but the quality of the workout doesn't.

Cosmic - 2011-02-11 2:44 PM

I bust all my cash on buying my bike (which I got in the sale!) so 'race wheels' will have to wait! I have a list of other things I need like a RETUL fit, new cassette, my clubs new tri kit, new shoes; luckily I got my wetsuit for free (on permanent loan!). One thing at a time... probably look at race wheels for next season, along with new base/aerobars.... the list is endless (and dangerous!?) Sadly not everyone is rolling in it (but we can dream and then there's always the freebie 'train harder')

Meulen - 2011-02-11 7:24 AM You look like a tiny person in your avatar. Yet you worry about durability so much. Being very light you don't put much of a beating on wheels at all. Plus, I've seen guys that weigh 170-180lbs put zipp 404 and hed jet6's through the ringer day in and day out. With that in mind and the extra benefit of better crosswind performance I would go with a set of hed or zipps over the carbones. Crosswinds will be a bigger issue for you being light. If you aren't as light as I'm assuming please disreguard everything I say!