Carbones have always been somewhat well known for their durability. I have seen some survive some ridiculous s***, and some how come out unscathed.

However, I do think there are a few things about the current ones that are worth pointing out.

That wheel is built with entirely proprietary parts. A breakage of anything would be hard to get at a LBS.

The pawl system is ridiculous to service. When you pull the freehub, the pawl springs tend to fly out of the wheel across the shop which is always fun to try and recover.

For that kind of money, I think there are far better options out there.

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http://www.zencyclery.com

http://www.wheelbuilder.org

I have a set of the SL's, and while they're an excellent wheel, I wouldn't use them for all races. They're a bit on the heavy side, and they feel slow while climbing. On flat ground, or rollers, they're terrific. I use a lighter set of wheels, when I know I have to do some climbing.

However, I'm also a bit portly, so take that in to consideration!!

To their credit,

1) Mavic parts might be proprietary, but Mavic dealers are ubiquitous, the company's service centers are in the U.S., and the MP3 insurance option gives you something close to a free wheel if you wreck one. Maybe you can't use normal J-bends and DT everyhub parts, but I'd be shocked if any Mavic part took very long to stock at any LBS.

2) Aluminum brake tracks are still the standard. I have no direct experience with exalith, but everyone who tries it seems to love it.

3) In strictly traditional 0 degree testing, some version of the alloy/fairing Cosmic Carbone did pretty well in the aero drag portion of the great RA wheel test of 2008.

To their detriment,

1) They have strictly traditional deep-rim stability issues in cross winds. These ride the way deep rims like mid-decade 404s or Lightweight Standards rode when V-sections were the rule and discussions of "stall characteristics" were limited to scrawled phone numbers and faulty latches.

2) They're seriously heavy, and that's before you realize how optimistic (i.e., dishonest) the claimed weight is. As with the aero stability issues, these wheels really show their age. They are true relics from an era when only big rouleurs rode deep wheels, "deep" meant 50 mm, and pros rode without helmets. True to form, the narrow clincher rims offer scant benefits from running wider rubber and ignore all aero and rolling resistance research that has emerged since this rim was launched.

3) As stated, there are better values. Next to something like an Enve/Smart custom build, the SLR version of the CC isn't *that* much cheaper, and the difference in technology and rider experience is as stark as 1980 Corvette vs. 2012 Corvette.

Honestly, if you want the durability, braking performance, and clincher convenience of a Mavic CC, ebay is your best bet to even the value equation. At list or even a minor discount any CC is a raw deal for the buyer. The substance isn't there, and simply being durable isn't enough to justify huge price premiums over comparably durable competitors.

-Tim

I agree on the items addressed in this topic, but the Mavic CC SLR are bombproof. The hubs are not that special but I can imagine why someone would want to buy the CC exalith SLR's. They are also overpriced but I think they look sexy.
A friend of mine is riding these CC SLR's and he is very very pleased with them.

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Specialized Tarmac S-works SL4
http://i891.photobucket.com/albums/ac11 ... 11af34.jpg

Nicely put.

I really would like to see an Enve/Smart custom build coming to the price range of carbon spoked SLR or metal spoked SLR WTS wheelset. They are actually in way different price categories.
The carbon spoked SLR costs here 1600 euros and the regular metal spoked SLR WTS 1300 euros. ENVE 45 Clincher Front (DT Swiss Hub) wheelset is 2500 euros.
All Reynolds and Zipp clinchers are over 2000 euros, tubulars starting from 1800.
Also, bear in mind that Mavic is a major wholesale seller. You can get their wheels with substantial discount when buying at the right time or when you know your dealer.

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Scott Foil Di2 2012
Scott Scale 35 2010

Not true, at least in the U.S. The difference here is about $400 MSRP, and that's assuming you're using a premium hub for the Smarts.

-Tim

Thats if you build the Enves with DTs (which IMO are pretty overpriced). You could build up the Enve 45 Clinchers with White Industries T11 hubs and save a considerable amount of money without sacrificing quality. Yeah, they would still be more than the discounted Mavics, but you are getting a 5 year warranty on the rims which is hard to beat.

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http://www.zencyclery.com

http://www.wheelbuilder.org

It's not about the hubs, but rather having a few good online shops (in Germany) selling wheelsets (and everything other) without trying to rip off everybody.

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Scott Foil Di2 2012
Scott Scale 35 2010

Are there no good custom builders in Germany? Buying an online store/factory built wheelset isn't always the best way to go about securing a good deal.

It seems like most of your problems with the Smart's price are related to distribution and possibly import duties on U.S. products. Over here, it's a different situation. On the plus side, exchange rates should favor you if buying U.S. stuff, and I can't imagine DT hubs and spokes (if you choose them) are as costly on the European market as they are in the U.S.

Where is the OP located? That would have quite a bearing on his original inquiry about the SLR (and alternatives).

-Tim

cosmc elites, very very cheap, very very strong, about the same weight as cosmic carbones and just about quicker than anything else looking at most independant wind tunnel test.

just sold most of my 'aero wheels' and got a set of these

I have used them for 2 years, for racing, training and even on dirt roads. I generally think there is little love for Mavic on this forum, but based on their weight that would only make sense

1. The Exalith brake coating is amazing IMO, by far the best stopping brake surface of any wheel I have ever used. I have had a few situations with riders crashing in corners in front of me where I believe the increased brake power prevent me from going down. In 2 years I have had no issues with the coating either, no wear, and they look good as new.

2. They are one of the most durable race wheel I have used, due to the design. I do not think an all carbon rim can hold up as well, as I have watched guys break Zipp and ENVE rims on things like train track, while my Mavic wheels keep on roiling.

3. Personally they are fine in cross winds for me, but I would bet ENVE and Zipp would be better.

Outside of that the other posters have covered the pros and cons. I just wanted to chime in as a guy who has used them for 2 full years.

I would agree the general sentiment for anything but the CCU's is pretty low.

The carbones have long been a durable race\training wheel. When the current generation was first released I was lucky enough to have a set to travel to races with and to have a bomb proof wheel that I could train on in another state and race on was great.

Good price point as well - ebay or direct buy.

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Just ride ..

I have a set of 2010 CC SLRs. I got them cheap - about $1000 new on closeout. I would not pay $2000 or more for them.

They have been solid for me so far and survived one big crash with just some minor truing needed.

I have them set up with lightweight tubes and Continental Supersonic Tires. My wife is riding them now as I have gone to Zipp 404 tubulars.