Mavic Cosmos

Price Paid:  $200.00 at jenson or cambria

Favorite Ride:
anywhere, preferably with the wind, no rain (or snow)

Bike Setup:
r300 frame with stock brakes, all else is a patchwork of things that were on sale/cheap but of adequate quality, I've been trying to convince myself to an upgrade but I like the ride more and more (especially with upgrades of these wheels, carbon fork forte axis, forte pro rs1 saddle, ascent carbon seatpost and nashbar's 10 speed shifters)

Summary:
the price was right and the wheel did seem reliable - no fancy low spoke rims (just few less than standard 32, enough to lower the weight without affecting the strength), sealed bearings, welded, eyelets, Mavic - made in France

Strengths:
front wheel just keeps spinning, smooth, true - takes Illinois potholes (and my 185lb) with stride. and so is the rear. the only maintenance I did (after ~ 3000 - 4000 km) is adding few drops of oil into the freehub body (even cave man can service the thing, I used fork/shocks teflon oil 15wt) - rode my bike tonight enjoying the stealth/super quiet cruising, pure pleasure.

Weaknesses:
no wear marker on the braking surface
not aero - this could be a plus in this windy part of the country

Similar Products Used:
crossride, crossland on the mtb side, old wheels on my Cannondale R300 can't reallycompare - hate adjustable (cone) bearings (no matter what Shimano would claim)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Promotion, direct fr

Favorite Ride:
25 mi moderate rolling

Bike Setup:
Road HED carbon fiber H1. Cosmos black (or blue) front. Elite Ksyrium rear

Summary:
Used to race, ride 5K per year Mass, NH, & Vt. These Cosmos clincher wheels came with Iron Horse Victory model bike '03. I'm either side of 200 lb., 6-2 with 15K on the front, trued once never broke a spoke. Bullet proof wheel, now own two Cosmos fronts. Rear has 5K on it, replaced one spoke, (hard to find in '04) Hard ride and use only for serious competitive rides for the stiffness. Prefer Elite Ksyrium rear as daily wheel. Don’t know why Mavic stopped making them.

Strengths:
Dependable

Weaknesses:
rear is a hard ride for my 200 +/- size

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Elite Ksyrium rear and Shimano three cross rear

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
all things considered, a good overall wheelset. It isn't necessarily a standout in any given attribute, but a good performer, at a good price and reliable.

Strengths:
reliable, bombproof design

Weaknesses:
heavy, less responsive

Similar Products Used:
hand built open pro's, cosmic Pro's, zipp 101's

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Green 1971 Schwinn Super Sport, Kickstand, OEM shifters/deraileurs, 90s Biopace cranks

Summary:
Picked these up for $100 on craigslist. I put them on my ancient 1971 fillet-brazed Schwinn Super Sport. Lightened it up to below 30 lbs, with kickstand, brooks and saddle bag etc. and they are pretty nice and fast. Running 32mm Conti Contacts, the ride is very smooth and I can drop off the occasional curb if I need to. They take a beating, but I'm worried I won't be able to true them up because the straight-pull spokes spin on the hub slots, but so far they're holding true.

Strengths:
Super light commuter, strong enough for an urban beating (although I must admit the payload is only around 150 lbs+bike).

Weaknesses:
Straight-pull spokes make truing difficult.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic Aksium Race (hungarian built 20 spoke light, racey crap)

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Trek madone sl 5.2 (2006)

Summary:
I have ride a Cosmos pair wheels from 2004. 13.000 km. They are not expensive wheels but not light.

Strengths:
Mavic not expensive.

Weaknesses:
My Cosmos freehub broke when they have riden 13.000 km.