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ZIPP 302 vs Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon Exalith

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  • April 9, 2018 at 7:11 pm #28349
    rcolaco

    Hello guys,

    First of all I want to thank you for accepting me in this forum.

    I have a pair of Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels on my bike, that are excellent wheels, but I want to buy a pair of carbon wheels to use in weekend long workout sessions and races, keeping my alloy Ksyriums for day-to-day workouts and commutes.

    I’ve done a lot of research but I’m very undecided between the two sets of wheels I put in the thread title.

    I found Mavics for sale online for around 1.000 € with tires and brake pads included and Zipps for around 1.100 € without tyres or brake pads.

    I should be able to buy a set of continental GP 4000s II tyres (my favourite tires), tubes and brake pads for around 150 euros, so the Zipps will be around 250 euros more expensive than Mavics.

    In your opinion the Zipps are worth the difference of about 250 euros (215 pounds) or do you think I will get better with the Mavics.

    Are there other options that you can recommend me for about the same price?

    Thank you for your feedback.

    Regards.

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  • April 11, 2018 at 9:23 am #916667
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    Anthony.C

    You could save more money by

    You could save more money by not getting the Exaliths and just getting the plain Mavic Cosmic Carbon Pros, I have a pair and the braking is fine with the alu rim anyway. I used mine all last summer and autumn and I would recommend them although they are heavier than the claimed weight. The Mavics come with a 3 year warranty if you register them.

    April 10, 2018 at 8:31 pm #916665
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    rcolaco

    The Fulcrums seams to be

    The Fulcrums seams to be excellent wheels, but I want to try something a little bit more aero, so the minimum profile should be 45mm.

    About Hunt, they could be good wheels but I need a set of wheels that I can rely on and could last forever without much maintenance. Since they are relatively new, I don´t know about their reliability. For this reason, I prefer to stick with a well known brand.

    For now, since the price gap is considerable, I am leaning for Mavics, but if some expert can prove me that the Zipps are much better than the Mavics and worth the price difference, I can always change my mind 🙂

    I never thought it was so difficult to choose a set of wheels. I think I’m going to toss a coin… ahah

    April 10, 2018 at 11:20 am #916663
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    sergius
    MoutonDeMontagne wrote:
    Out of your two choices, I’d say go for the Zipps.

    But I’d throw in the Fulcrum Racing Quattro Carbon as tend to be excellent value, and the hubs are superb with the ceramic bearings that roll forever. They’re also often on sale or under £1k. They’re effectively Campag Boras (which I run), but without the Campag logo so appease people that don’t like mixing Shimano/campag Logos. The braking surface works well, come with Pads and you’d leave yourself enough change for a nice set of Vitorra Corsa G+ and some nice tubes. Winner. 

    RE: braking. yes it’l be better on the mavics, but it’ll also be totally fine on the Zipp/Fulcrums too. You just adapt and then you don’t think about it after 1 rides. 

    *edit* Also forgot to mention that the Hunt Carbons (eitehr 50mm or 36mm depth) will happily fall into your budget and leave you some money left for tyres (Tubeless compatable). I’ve not used the carbon Hunt wheels but they’re well recieved in genteral. On Road.cc Hunt seem to be a polarising Love them or Lothe them company, but the Alu disc wheels on my Cross/winter bike have been faultless. 

    I’ve got the Carbon Aero50 Hunts, they look great and ride well.  My only complaint is changing f***** tyres on them – the hookless rim design seems to make unseating tyre beads an absolute pig by the road-side.

    April 10, 2018 at 10:54 am #916661
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    MoutonDeMontagne

    Out of your two choices, I’d

    Out of your two choices, I’d say go for the Zipps.

    But I’d throw in the Fulcrum Racing Quattro Carbon as tend to be excellent value, and the hubs are superb with the ceramic bearings that roll forever. They’re also often on sale or under £1k. They’re effectively Campag Boras (which I run), but without the Campag logo so appease people that don’t like mixing Shimano/campag Logos. The braking surface works well, come with Pads and you’d leave yourself enough change for a nice set of Vitorra Corsa G+ and some nice tubes. Winner. 

    RE: braking. yes it’l be better on the mavics, but it’ll also be totally fine on the Zipp/Fulcrums too. You just adapt and then you don’t think about it after 1 rides. 

    *edit* Also forgot to mention that the Hunt Carbons (eitehr 50mm or 36mm depth) will happily fall into your budget and leave you some money left for tyres (Tubeless compatable). I’ve not used the carbon Hunt wheels but they’re well recieved in genteral. On Road.cc Hunt seem to be a polarising Love them or Lothe them company, but the Alu disc wheels on my Cross/winter bike have been faultless. 

    April 10, 2018 at 5:54 am #916659
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    Chris Hayes

    Just playing close attention

    Just playing close attention to the reviews – and I’ve run both  over the years (Open Pro, Ksyrium SLs, Cosmics, 303s & 404s). Not a huge sample, but no trouble with the Zipp hubs or maintenance (and I believe the 302s are brass nipple, standard spokes, so possible more durable and easier to maintain); whereas I had some trouble with the Ksyriums and their non-standard parts (though they were early versions and replaced immediately with excellent customer service).  I like the idea of the exalith rim – if you’re riding rim brakes – otherwise rim wear and tear and braking comments are irrelevant.

    Sounds like your experience has been otherwise, BTBS?  Nice problem to have, buying new wheels. Enjoy them RColcao

    April 10, 2018 at 5:47 am #916657
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    simonmb

    I ride only Zipp, but… a

    I ride only Zipp, but… a consideration to take in to account is the Exalith’s better braking power in the wet. I think this is undisputed.

    If you’re racing, think of this.

    April 9, 2018 at 11:12 pm #916655
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    Anonymous

    Zipp hubs, end of story as to

    Zipp hubs, end of story as to why you want to go with the Mavics, no rider weight limit on the Mavics (dunno about the zipps), better braking, better longevity in the rim. 

    Servicing easier with zipps over mavics, in what way? Parts easier to acquire AND cheaper for Mavic than for Zipp.

    My 2d worth.

    April 9, 2018 at 10:01 pm #916653
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    rcolaco

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Weight is not my priority here, what I want is a reliable, stiff and fast pair of wheels, so anything under 1700g will be fine.

    Although they are good wheels, I think Shamal Ultras are not in the same “category” as they have much lower profile. They are more like my Ksyriums, which I like and intend to keep.

    Hed jet 4 plus could be an alternative if I could find them in Europe with a price similar to what is on their site (1.100 USD).

    April 9, 2018 at 8:46 pm #916651
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    Chris Hayes

    Hmmm….they both come in at

    Hmmm….they both come in at 2.5kg+ with tyres and skewers – so not that light: braking would be better with the Mavics, servicing easier with the Zipps.  Not a dissimilar weight to Shamal ultras (if you have an Italian bike – or Hed Belgiums, if you have a US frame; both of which would be more hardwearing)….

    April 9, 2018 at 8:22 pm #916649
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    Kadinkski

    I’ve been using them since

    I’ve been using them since November and the 302’s are amazing, they’re the best ‘do it all’ wheels I’ve ever used. 

    April 9, 2018 at 7:57 pm #916647
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    Anonymous

    Mavics all day long

    Mavics all day long

    April 9, 2018 at 7:46 pm #916645
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    StraelGuy

    I’m not an expert on

    I’m not an expert on expensive wheels but my instincts say go for the Zipps. Everything on Mavic wheels tends to be proprietary which make repairing them when they break or wear out ridiculously expensive.

     

    Edit: Just googled the Zipps and, damn, they’re sexy! I think if I ever have the cash for posh wheels, the 302’s would be high on my list and Zipp is such a cool brand.

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