If you’ve read our last couple of blog articles then you’re familiar with what to wear and how to prepare yourself for winter and low-light riding. These are important topics that require consideration when attempting to ride or commute in the winter. However, I’m taking this opportunity to veer away from those topics to redirect everyone’s attention to what we all love about cycling, which is, of course, going faster! You know you want to! Given that, let’s talk about wheels.
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Enter Mavic’s 2011 wheel range. With several new offerings, there’s no lack of options for this year. The Garmin-Transitions and Liquigas racing teams like to mix and match different wheel rim profiles depending on course characteristics, and you can be sure that Mavic will suggest you do the same. Who’s to argue? Since Mavic introduced the prebuilt wheel in 1998 they’ve continued to show us that their advice is a great idea.
The Mavic Ksyrium Models
When going to your local races, it becomes obvious that there is a special place in racers’ hearts and minds for the versatile Mavic Ksyrium wheel and it’s many iterations. 2011 is a new year for this wheelset. There are three models of Ksyrium this year: the Ksyrium SL, Ksyrium SR and Ksyrium SLR.
What we would consider the standard Ksyrium has been renamed the Ksyrium SL. It has the proven, rock-solid Zicral aluminum spokes front and rear. The range differs in the next two models, the SR and SLR.
The rear wheels of the Mavic Ksyrium SR and Mavic Ksyrium SLR models are completely replaced with an R-SYS rear wheel. This new wheel has 2-cross drive side Zicral aluminum spokes and carbon tubular non-drive side spokes laced in a radial pattern. This wheel is far more stout, forgiving and responsive than what you may be used to from Mavic’s previous Ksyrium rear wheel. The front wheel remains the same.
Even cooler is the new Exalith treatment on the Mavic’s Ksyrium SLR wheelset. Mavic’s Exalith process is much like one that has been used and tested in F1 car racing, a sport which puts huge demands on the strength of machined equipment. Exalith refers to a process akin to aluminum anodization whereby a substance is baked onto the rim, penetrating 10 microns deep under the surface. This process strengthens the rim, helping to prevent rim fatigue or cracking. What does this mean for those of us who just want to ride? It means that we get a product that lasts longer and is more bombproof than ever.
The Mavic R-SYS
If weight is a concern look to Mavic’s R-SYS wheels. This wheelset is the real sleeper in the range. The responsiveness is inspirational. In addition to coming complete with Mavic tires, the Mavic R-SYS SLR wheels also get the Exalith rim treatment. You can’t go wrong.
Aerodynamics
Mavic has been doing plenty of wind tunnel testing of their aerodynamic wheels over the last several years. In doing so, they’ve proven that the Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLR is more aerodynamic than a Zipp 404 wheelset ever was. This year Mavic has added the Exalith rim treatment to the Cosmic Carbone SLR. Bladed carbon spokes soak up all the bumps in the road with ease. If comfort and speed are important to you then this wheelset is worth a long look. Word of warning here, you may enjoy riding these so much that you’ll need a crow bar to pry your hands from the bike, post ride.
Other Wheel Models
There are many more wheels in the Mavic 2011 range. Several of these are slightly different versions of wheels that I’ve already mentioned. Mostly the models will either exclude Exalith or have a slightly different visual aesthetic. Don’t mistake though, all of the wheels that Mavic is offering for 2011 are stellar.
For example, Mavic’s Ksyrium Elite not only looks great but it also is a testament to the tried-and-true technologies that Mavic has produced since they began the prebuilt bicycle wheel industry. One look and it’s obvious that you could ride this wheel for seasons and seasons of use without a worry.
Thanks for reading, and happy riding!
