Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate Wheelset

Mavic’s gear was always one of my favorite cycling gear manufacturers. The French company has been making cycling for over 100 years and it always seemed to me that they put that century of experience into everything they make.

On the other hand, they also employ the best modern technology in their manufacturing processes. Combining the past with the future.

This little introduction was only to try to make you realize how excited I was last week when I was given the opportunity to try the Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheelset manufactured by Mavic.

The bike I used to try out the Cosmic Carbone Ultima was a Look KX Light and I rode it for a couple of days to a total amount of eleven hours and thirty three minutes, or so my computer said.

I found this wheelset to be very good. The first thing I noticed is how light the wheels are. The rims are made with 100% woven 12K carbon fiber.

The spokes are manufactured from unidirectional carbon fiber and the front body of the hubs are 100% carbon while rear body is made from aluminum. The front wheel weights 520 g and the rear wheel weights 665 g making a total of 1185 g.

The second thing I noticed is how stiff they are – they are probably among the most stiffest wheels I’ve seen.

It has a 40mm elliptical rim profile, which is a balanced depth between an aero and a road bike, with no spoke drilling. The spokes are 100% carbon.

The molded spokes don’t have nipples or heads.

I must say that I loved riding my bike with these on. I had no trouble braking whatsoever and its lightness and stiffness really added something to the bike. I also climbed with them and it felt great.

This wheelset remided me of another wheelset that I tested sometime ago and that impressed me quite a bit: the Zipp 404 Firecrest carbon clincher road wheelset. I’m quite convinced that both of them are among the best available in the market right now.

Both of them are quite light, but on the stiffness chapter I think that Mavic’s set takes the lead. On the other hand Zipp’s wheelset felt better on the curves, perhaps due to its shape that creates a better airflow on the front wheel.

Still the difference isn’t much though I found the 404 Firecrest carbon clincher wheelset was designed with aero bikes in mind while the Cosmic Carbon Ultimate was more balanced between aero and road.

Both of them are also quite expensive which might be the big turn down. Mavic’s wheelset is selling at $3,599.90 at R&A cycles while Zipp’s wheelset is selling for a little less: $2,700.00.

In the end, as we all know, quality doesn’t come cheap.

Mavic’s Cosmic Carbone Ultimate wheelset is one of the best in the market, have no doubt about that. It might be a little expensive when compared to other wheelsets but it is totally worth it.

Join the forum discussion on Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate Wheelset