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Mavic Reinvents Ksyrium with Endurance Purpose, Wider Rims

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Mavic_Ksyrium_Pro_Carbon_SL_wheelset-small

Moving into 2015, Mavic has added a whole new category to its offerings, Cyclosport- in addition to existing Aero and Enduro categories. Mavic describes that Cyclosport is not just about racing, but the many ways a rider challenges themself through adventure or escape, through local climbs or endurance events. With this addition, Mavic has reconceived its Ksyrium line to address the unique needs of that category. Ksyrium has symbolized performance for the brand, but moving forward it now holistically encompasses this new endurance-focused category, expanding its scope from wheel and tire systems to includean apparel and gear line to support that riding experience (to be discussed in a separate post).

What does all this boil down to? Wider, tubeless-ready rims and tires for multi-surface use (dirt and gravel). More on this departure after the jump.

The most notable change for many riders will be the addition of wider rim and tire profiles across the board. Mavic’s argument for this wider rim section has everything to do with a better, more comfortable quality of ride, lower rolling resistance, and safety and reliability of ride experience. Dissatisfied with the lack of tire size restrictions of other manufacturers with respect to wider rim profiles (and a general lack of adherence to the ISO standards governing tire and rim combinations), Mavic extensively tested a wide variety of tire sizes with rim widths to ensure safety and security of the tire on the rim at maximum inflation as well as to confirm that each rim and tire combination is optimized for their systems. Through this research, Mavic sets restrictions on what tires are safe on each rim in order to prevent tire blow-off in extreme conditions.

Mavic_Ksyrium_All-Road_Set

The most integrated hardware achievement in the line is the Ksyrium Pro All-Road Disc wheel and tire system. The rim has gotten wider, a surprise considering how Mavic has clung to narrower standards in the past few years as its competitors have enthusiastically jumped into wider, more wind-tunnel friendly profiles. The Ksyrium Pro Allroad Disc rim features a 19mm inner bead width, 24mm outer width as well as a disc brake-specific off-center profile with 24 Zircral spokes, front and rear to address complex braking forces. Despite its 4mm wider profile Mavic claims a rim weight of 420g, achieved through it’s ISM 4D rim milling technology.

Mavic_Yksion_All-Road_Tire_30c

The system’s Yksion Elite All-Road tire system has a larger air volume at 30mm inner diameter and is “perfectly” compatible with the wider inner width of the 19mm Ksyrium Pro All-Road rim and can be set-up tubeless for better protection at lower pressures. The tread pattern is designed for smooth pavement with a slick center profile changing to a nail file tread off-center, with greater grip to the outer end of the tire and integrated puncture protection from bead to bead for more rugged riding contexts. The tire comes in at 320g, claimed weight, and only differentiates front and rear by orientation. If cross is your thing, the rim is compatible with any appropriately sized UST tire.

Mavic_Yksion-Pro_Powerlink_Carbon-Pro-SL

The new carbon clincher offerings in the category have also gotten wider, now 17mm and 22mm inner and outer widths respectively. Despite a large part its purpose being claimed as braking heat dissipation in the rim brake case, the 80g aluminum hoop remains in the carbon clincher disc wheel assembly, though Mavic reinforces its relevance in impact resistance and rigidity of the system. The differentiator between the the disc and non-disc Pro Carbon SL rims is a laser machined brake track on the rim brake versions for improved braking efficiency and Mavic claims a weight of 405g per carbon clincher rim.

Mavic_Ksyrium_Instant360_Hub

The new the Instant Drive 360 freehub features a 9 degree ring engagement, rather than the previous pawl and ratchet 17 degree engagement, and is featured across disc and non-disc hubs. The new Ksyrium road disc wheelsets are diversely compatible to reflect new standards in road axles. The rear is compatible with quick release or 12mm thru-axle systems. The front is compatible with quick release, 12mm and 15mm thru-axles. The set comes in both center-lock and six-bolt flavors.

Mavic_Ksyrium_All-Road_Front_Disc_Hub

First impressions:

Mavic invited members of the media to two days of ride testing around Jackson Hole, Wyoming to showcase the Ksyrium Pro All-Road Disc and Pro Carbon SL wheel tire systems.

Mavic_Ksyrium_All-Road_Ride

The Ksyrium Pro All-Road Disc wheel-tyre system, featuring the Yksion Elite All-Road tire, was subjected to a mostly dirt and gravel course with over 1000 meters of climbing. The Instant Ride 360 freehub system was immediately appreciated on the climbs and rough terrain of the course. While I personally did not experience any flats on the course, several others did, some even managing to tear the sidewalls of the tires. Overall, though, the tires were plenty grippy for both climbing and cornering on the loose surface and the system was robust to handle some pretty rocky and rutted descents. And when we finally got back to pavement, the tires were smooth without being sluggish or cumbersome on the final climbs without any pressure adjustment.

Mavic_Ksyrium_Carbon_SL_Ride

The Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL system, featuring Yksion Pro Powerlink and Griplink tires, was tested on smooth pavement with several climbs in the Teton area. I was able to sample both tubular and clincher styles. While cornering felt more secure on the tubular version of the system, both wheelsets were stiff and responsive in climbs. I was also pleasantly surprised by the efficient braking on the laser machined rims- I haven’t experienced more secure braking on a carbon rim track/pad combination.

Claimed Weight, MSRP and Availability

Ksyrium Pro Disc All-Road: 1620g, $1249.90, July 2015 (in US)

Ksryium Pro Carbon SL T: 1190g, $2399.99, July 2015

Ksryium Pro Carbon SL T Disc: 1320g, $2399.99, July 2015

Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL C: 1390g, $2199.90, September 2015

Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL C Disc: 1520g, $2199.90, September 2015

Mavic.com

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22 Comments
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Chad
Chad
8 years ago

Finally! Love Mavic wheels. This ‘old’ technology needs to trickle down to their more affordable wheelsets quickly.

ChrisC
ChrisC
8 years ago

What are the rim depths for each?

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

ChrisC…very shallow. I wouldn’t even bother thinking about it.

That said, I’m stoked that they’re finally doing this but this is really just “narrow wide”. 18mm inner should be the norm with 19-20 or so being wide for people that typically ride 28s and may squeeze on a 25.

Better than nothing…I’ll probably start buying there stuff again if they go up a tiny bit more

CJ
CJ
8 years ago

These wheels looks interesting to me, especially on the right kind of bike, but then again I like Mavic.

I have a pair of their CC40 carbon clinchers and they have been a great set of wheels for 2 years now (I also have two sets of HED wheels, so I ride some wide rims too). People tell me somehow they wheels are barely rideable, because if rims are not wide these days they suck……… I like that Mavic is not one to come up with a new product I need to buy every 6 months like many others. Keep up the good work.

myke
myke
8 years ago

That is great but they are still on the heavy side of things. I could build a far better wheelset for less.

But… I think Mavic is on the right track. They need some more options to light the fire.

Frippolini
Frippolini
8 years ago

Is it only me that is poor, or are does no one notice the price of these? USD +2000 for a pair of Ksyriums… I wonder how many they will sell? Who’s the target segment?

John
John
8 years ago

@Frippolini: That’s pretty much where pricing for a pair of name brand (i.e. with warranty) carbon wheelsets starts.

myke
myke
8 years ago

@Frippolini your lucky you have other better and cheaper options! Mavic have a history of reliability issues. Although i did own a set of Ksyriums that were rock solid for many years. there are not so lucky.

I look at those prices and think why there are Enve’s for around the same on the upper end.

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
8 years ago

At the price that Mavic wants, it’s hard to see how any of these wheels are better than a custom built wheel set.

John
John
8 years ago

Do I have this right? Roval/Specialized is the only major wheel manufacturer that still doesn’t support road tubeless wheelsets?

I’d have bet money that Roval would have tubeless road wheels before Mavic went with wide rims. I guess when your buyers are locked into your proprietary hubs, they’ll have to take whatever you’re selling…

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

@John That’s a good point, especially since Specialized makes several really good road tubeless tires.

isaac
8 years ago

Wide rims and disc brake road wheels Mavic is finally catching up to 2013. Or you can get a Carbon TUBULAR disc wheelset for $2400?!? No thank you.

CXisfun
CXisfun
8 years ago

Isaac: How much for a carbon tubular disc wheelset from ENVE or Zipp? Oh yeah, more.

Eyal
Eyal
8 years ago

Why would I get any of these when I can get DT240s+Pacenti23+CX-ray at a lower price!

rrider786
rrider786
8 years ago

@eyal because those wheels would be way worse? flexy and no system integration

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
8 years ago

Exactly how would Pacenti SL23s and DT240s laced with CX-Rays be “way worse”? Flexy? Really?

Chainwhipped
Chainwhipped
8 years ago

Wide-ish rims are a good start, but I’m not seeing a wheel worth $2k+. Show me something at least this width, sub-1400g, and sub $1000, and I’m a buyer if the hubs are reliable. So far, this looks like business-as-usual Mavic fluff.

Frippolini
Frippolini
8 years ago

@ Chainwhipped: Look at HUNT wheels: http://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/wheels/products/hunt-race-season-aero-wide-road-wheelset-1480g-31deep-24wide
Slightly heavier at 1480g, with a 19mm rim bed, and at a far more realistic price point around USD 700. Sure, its an aluminum rim, but I rather take that then buy into the carbon fanaticism / obsession and use saved money for more important things/events in life. 🙂

Loki
Loki
8 years ago

Mavic reinvents the(ir) wheel – an ironic subtext more eloquent than any comment I can make!

Chad Moore
Chad Moore
8 years ago

@veganpotter – Chad with Mavic here. Just to clarify on our position with the “right size tire on the right size rim”. Running a 25mm tire on the width rim you mention (19-20 inner) falls out of the ETRTO/ISO testing norms/standards. They are the only group making safety recommendations and it’s those statements which we are following. So, based on those standards, the narrowest tire you should run on a 19mm (inner) wide rim is 28mm. Anything below that has a risk of blowing off the rim.

Ryan A
8 years ago

@Chad Moore – when will the Yksion 30c tubeless tires be available for purchase? Thanks!

Chad Moore
Chad Moore
8 years ago

@Ryan A – sorry to miss this…the Allroad tire will be available in the next few weeks in the USA. For the rest of the world it will come in the fall. Thanks!

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