Weaknesses: Weight; or you could pay a ton more for the better versions and still only save a few grams.
Bottom Line:
I put the wheelset on my aerodynamic road bike and they look and ride like they were made for each other.
I know these are normally for race only or whatever, but screw that... If I paid over a grand, I wanna show 'em off and use 'em! They take a banging every now and then; the roads aren't always smooth but no problems.
I've seen these on other bikes and they make any bike look good.
Strengths: Light, stiff, hold speed well, accelerate quickly. Look great.
Weaknesses: If you HAVE to pick a nit, they're not Zipp 1080's, and that's OK.
Bottom Line:
They are everything I hoped they'd be. Yes, they're not full carbon, but they don't need to be. For my type of riding they're perfect: TT only, on flat, windy courses. Plus, at 205 lbs, I'm a little leery of full carbon wheels.
A lot of literature about the SL's said they would hold speed, accelerate well on the flats and be stable in a crosswind. It was all true. They also a stiff, but comfortable.
The wheels also look great and appear like were made for the bike. Have received a lot of compliments.
The first time ever riding them was in a 10 mile TT. Took 40 second off my PR. They're good......
Favorite Ride: My own local course. 25 miles, three canyons, 2600 feet vertical gain.
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: local bike shop
Similar Products Used: Felt TTR 4's
Bike Setup: Standard set up for FELT B16 (2011)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
sneakyracer
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2010
Strengths: Performance (all aspects), looks and ride
Weaknesses: weight
Bottom Line:
This Review is for the 2010 Cosmic SL (w/ new updated graphics)
Awesome wheels. They roll very smooth and the ride quality is nice. The wheels accelerate very well and hold speed incredibly well. They are not super light wheels, but I weight 190 lbs so I am not light either and the wheels feel very solid under all conditions. I recently rode a very familiar 40 mile route and I immediately noticed that I was using a higher gear and when I reviewed the GPS data I found out that I was going about 1mph or more faster overall at least. BUT, on the section with the stiff cross/headwind I was going much faster than I could under similar conditions with other wheels, closer to 2mph easy.
I have ready about aero wheels being a handful with high crosswinds. Well, on the first ride with the wheels I went out and encountered a stiff crosswind only a few miles after starting out, had to "deal with it for 30-40 min easy. But lo and behold, I didnt notice any difference compared to other non aero wheels. Nothing. The bike was not a handful at all.
Whoever says aero wheels do not make you faster hasnt used a set! (or do not want you to use one!). I am not a super athlete. On my solo rides I have to make a great effort to average 19mph overall solo on mainly flat terrain (without a wind I can average 21-22mph solo for extnded periods but not for an entire 2hr ride) in a wide range of conditions. These wheels feel awesome.
Bottom line, unless you need/want a very light wheel this is probably the best overall (clincher) wheel made for daily use under a wide variety of conditions. Awesome combination of speed, durability, ride and looks. They are proven.
Strengths: These are strong, stiff wheels. I am 80-82kg and there is no noticeable flex even when I am stomping out of saddle. Turn in is excellent, which gives confidence when cornering. These are not fragile carbon wheels that I have to be ginger with.
The change in ride quality and roll "smoothness" from my OEM Mavic Ksyrium Equipe is pretty obvious. Road buzz is reduced without taking away the edge in road feel. Instead of the usual "clacking" affair, free-wheeling brings about muted "purring". :-)
These wheels certainly feel fast, and seems to enable me to go at a higher gear than norm (as echo'ed by the rest of the testers here). I have only had them for a few weeks, and initial observation from my regular time trial loop is that my 2 hour TT has been reduced by at least 6mins, which is ~5% improvement. Would have to go for a few more rides before I can confirm tangible time savings, but they sure feel fast.
Weaknesses: Technically, they are not carbon wheels (like the tubular ZIP 404s or Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate), the rims are made of alloy and only the fairings are made of carbon. But that does not detract from the fact that they are strong, aero, fast wheels.
I can save considerable weight by going to full carbon tubular wheels, but I just can't be ass'ed with pre-stretching tubulars and bringing around sticky tape/glue.
Bottom Line:
2007 Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL Premium wheelset bought used (with Continental Grand Prix 4000s mounted) at buddy price.
Have been looking out for a used set (to save some $$), because I was after a set of strong aero wheels. Being 6ft and 80+kg, I managed to get my OEM Ksyrium Equipe rear wheel out of true in about a year, so I am very concerned about strength of carbon/aero wheels. Being a poor climber, I tend to stomp up the steeper hills (not many in Singapore), so I am after wheels with minimal flex.
On the vanity side, the naked carbon weave on the wheels matched my 2005 Scott CR1's naken carbon weave very well. Add to that the carbon Profile Design Lightning Stryke clip-on aero bar and we are bordering on carbon overload here. :-) I also prefer the more "understated" decals on the SL Premium (versus the louder yellow decals on the SL), which go very well with the white decals on my 2005 Scott CR1.
Overall a fast, stiff wheelset that looks great. Who cares that they are nt technically carbon wheels (more below)?
I am considering to use them as my full-time training & race wheels. Is anyone doing the same and has that worked well for you?
Similar Products Used: Mavic Ksyrium Equipe that came with my 2005 Scott CR1 Team.
Bike Setup: 2005 Scott CR1 Team (comes with 105 grouppo)
Zero offset seatpost (Thompson)
Profile Design Lightning Stryke clip-on aero bar
Fi'zi:k Arione Tri saddle
Polar 625X as bike computer & HRM
Strengths: What impressed me the most was their ability to hold high speeds. For long flat rides they are great.
Weaknesses: They are a bit harder to get up, primarily due to their weight, but once you get there its smooth sailing!
Bottom Line:
Fantastic upgrade for the money. ZIPP's will set u back at least $1700 for 404's. On eBay you can get brand new Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL Premium for between $1100 - $1200. I love the wheels. Not only do they look great, but perform great a well.
Similar Products Used: My stock wheels are Mavic Ksyrium Elites.
Bike Setup: 2006 Specialized Tarmac Pro:
Full carbon
Ultegra/DA
Profile T2 Carbon Clip on Aero Bars
2008 Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL Premiums
Continental Grand Prix 4000 Racing Tires
I am searching for a set of areo clinchers. Price point is the key, either set of wheels can be had for around $1100. I know zipp 404, campys or reynolds dv 46 are better wheels bu Read More »
Does anybody hear about weight limit for Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL Premium?? Actually I'm 190 pounder. Your comments will be appreciate,
:thumbsup: Read More »
