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Mavic Introduces Their First Sub $1000 Carbon Wheelset, The Cosmic S Carbon 42

Mavic Cosmic S Carbon 42 windtunnel full
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It’s something special when value and performance coincide. That looks to be the case with the new Cosmic S carbon wheels from Mavic. They are the first Mavic Cosmic Carbon wheels to enter the market under $1000 ($999), and they carry over the attributes of their pricy brethren. 

(All photos: Mavic)

Mavic Cosmic S Carbon Wheelset 

Carbon wheels are becoming more “affordable” and also transferring some pretty high-tech gains. Mavic is looking to capitalize on the growing market for less pricey performance carbon wheels. 

Some of the industry heavy hitters have already staked a claim in this growing market: Roval (Rapide 38 C), Trek (Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35 TLR), Hunt (40 Carbon), and Zipps (303s). Most, if not all, of these wheels are under $1000 and offer a solid build with a high-end “partner” for those looking to upgrade later. What separates those above is the quality of the wheel build, quality of materials, and warranty.

Cosmic S Carbon 42 Rim Details

The new Cosmic S Carbon 42 looks to be a solid all-arounder, with a conservative 21 mm rim width (compared to the newest breed). The wheels come fully tubeless-ready and ship with Mavic UST valves. The rim shape is also slightly conservative, but it uses a well-trusted Mavic design. It’s like a mix of the Cosmic SLR 45 and the SRL 40, but disc-specific. 

Mavic Classic Hub with Instant Drive 360

The hubs are listed as “Mavic classic hubs” with the Instant Drive 360 (ID360). We’ve used the ID360 on the Mavic All-Road wheels and their mountain bike designs. The hubs are very easy to service and use an upgradeable tooth system similar to the DT-Ratchet drive. They also use Mavic’s Infinity hubs QRM auto-bearing preload technology, which is another bit of easy maintenance. The hubset is Centerlock, making for a clean look and overall presentation.

The hubs arrive with various spacing accommodations, including 135mm QR, making this wheelset a great option for those looking to upgrade an older QR disc road bike. 

Cosmic S Carbon 42 Hub Compatability

  • Freewheel: Shimano/Sram, convertible to Campagnolo ED11, N3W, and XD-R with optional driver bodies
  • Front axle: 12×100 thru axle, easily convertible to quick release with included adapters. It is not compatible with 15mm through axles.
  • Rear axle: 12mm thru axle, convertible to Quick Release with included adapters

What’s the weight? 

Mavic lists the total weight of the Cosmic S 42 wheels as 1595g, 745g for the front, and 850g for the rear. 

How does this compare with the models listed above? 

  • Roval Rapide C 38 Disc: Weight: 1,560g, Price: $1,100
  • Trek Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35 TLR: Weight: 1,615g, Price: $1,049 
  • Hunt 40 Carbon Aero: Weight: 1,499g, Price: $1,199 ​
  • Zipp 303s Disc: Weight: 1,530g, Price: $1,327 ​

The Cosmic S Carbon 42 Wheelset is directly in the thick of it, coming in slightly heavier than most, but certainly not by much. And we all know that not just the weight defines a great-performing wheelset. 

Availability

The new Cosmic S Carbon 42 Wheelset is available worldwide starting today. Word is that Mavic USA will have stock starting early September, ready to ship. We look forward to seeing more affordable performance options from this iconic French brand.

Mavic.com

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11 Comments
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Geoff
Geoff
24 days ago

Looks nice! Omission of the all-important “dust pattern” makes me a bit wary though.

Patrick C
Patrick C
24 days ago

Sick, can’t wait to see them in the wild!

Ben Coleman
Ben Coleman
24 days ago

These look sick! Very excited to see how these handle on a CX track!

Gallico
Gallico
24 days ago

Based on price, they are the lightest per $

jack curzon
jack curzon
23 days ago

Is that 21mm internal or external rim width? 21 internal tells me Mavic still playing it too conservative…21 external too archaic!

Last edited 23 days ago by jack curzon
Rouleurxx
Rouleurxx
22 days ago
Reply to  jack curzon

They are 21mm internal, which is not conservative, at least not in a negative way, methinks. If you want internal 23mm, then check out their new Cosmic 45 SLR.

https://www.mavic.com/en-int/p/cosmic-slr-45-disc-23mm-rr2305?variant=10336

RyanS
RyanS
20 days ago
Reply to  jack curzon

21 seems to be the standard for road wheels right now, but if I were buying a new wheelset, I’d go for at least 23 since that seems to be the direction everything will end up.

Cheese
Cheese
23 days ago

Hooked or hookless?

RyanS
RyanS
20 days ago

Who else misses when Mavic was made in France?

Rouleurxx
Rouleurxx
19 days ago
Reply to  RyanS

They are still made in the EU

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