Mavic Or Fulcrum?


Stephen Whyte has read our views on the Mavic Ksyrium ES and the Mavic Ksyrium SL and wants a comparison with the Fulcrum Racing 1, we have our favorites and we explain why

Question: Hello Sam,

I read your answer to the question between Mavic Ksyrium ES and SL. I also noticed in this answer that you have used the Fulcrum Racing 1’s.

FURAZE1_1.jpg
Fulcrum

Now, I have the question of which wheel would you choose between Mavic SL and Fulcrum Racing 1’s ?
I’m not certain the weight advantage is enough to justify the expense of the Mavis ES or Fulcrum Zeros. What are your thoughts here as well.
Thanks.

ph-dr-ksyrium.jpg
Ksyrium

Hi Stephen,
Yea we have ridden all these wheels and quite a few others. The problem for us is trying to remember how each pair of wheels felt like and how they performed.

Between the Mavic Ksyrium SL and the Fulcrum Racing 1’s there isn’t much to choose, in the end I think I would go for the Fulcrum, based on weight and a slightly better performance. I also prefer the look of the Fulcrums, the Mavic hubs are very nice with the red flange and the over size barrel, but too my eye the Fulcrum are a nicer finish. The spokes on the Fulcrum Racing 1’s are more aero and you can’t miss them they are so obvious.

The Fulcrum Zero’s are not that much more expensive than the Racing 1’s, they are all over 1,000 dollars and the Zero’s are more than that, the price difference between the Mavic SL and the ES is very similar. OK the weight difference isn’t much and you have to be able to justify the price to yourself (& bank manager), we always say buy the best you can afford, but sometimes you have to be a bit thoughtful about how you spend your money, if I had the money to spare I would either buy a pair of Campagnolo Bora Ultra or the Fulcrum Light Carbon and the Fulcrum Racing Speed look pretty good also, but unless I win the lottery I don’t think I will ever own any of these wheel sets, but maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to try them for a review.

Bora-rear_1.jpg
Bora Rear

So, we think you should buy the Fulcrum’s, the Racing 1’s or if you can save a bit more money go for the Zero, but remember you need to have money to eat, which ever you buy I’m sure you will enjoy then anyway.

Bora-front_1.jpg
Bora Front


One Response to “Mavic Or Fulcrum?”


Johnny August 17, 2009

Hi,after reviewing your very helpful comparison about mavic ksyrium SL or Fulcrum Racing 1, I found myself a bit confused.you said :”Between the Mavic Ksyrium SL and the Fulcrum Racing 1’s there isn’t much to choose, in the end I think I would go for the Fulcrum, based on weight and a slightly better performance”Unless I missed something, the weight announced for the mavic ksyrium SL is 1485 (645+840)and for the Fulcrum Racing 1 is 1550g (695+855)which is the opposite of what you’ve said.Am I wrong ? or am i misunderstanding something ?thanks




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