Mavic R-SYS SLR (Exalith) Wheels – Review
Written: May 11, 2011General Brain Farts, New Kit, Review
Anyone who’s read a Bike Crit-ique of mine on a bike that has a aluminium rims with a silver brake track is probably used to seeing a comment about how ugly I find that look on a bike. Until recently the only way around that has been to either run a carbon wheel, which isn’t to everyone’s desires or budget, or to run a set of Ceramic-coated Open Pro rims which leads you down the route of a traditional 32h wheel build. When Mavic announced their Exalith black aluminium coating with the launch of their new SLR wheels last year I nearly collapsed with relief… Ok I’m exaggerating, but only a little.
Back when I first found out about these wheels I didn’t know I was going to be in a position to build the Baum, let alone to be running special order Lightweights – what I did know at the time is that I would probably have done everything in my power (including selling body parts, and possibly even those of close friends and relatives) to get my hands on a set of these new Mavic wheels that looked so lickably lush. Fast forward a year or so (and with all my own and other people’s body parts intact) I’m now lucky enough to be running a set of the R-SYS SLRs on my Look. After around 750km on them I thought it about time I jotted some notes.
Pic borrowed from rouesartisanales.com
The R-SYS SLRs aren’t actually the lightest in the R-SYS range as they have the adjustable bearings from other wheels in the range which adds weight over the white-detailed SLs (which rely on the skewer pressure to keep the bearings in check). The Cosmic Carbone SLRs aren’t the lightest of wheels either at around 1600g, but the 52mm aero profile offsets that for some, and aesthetically they are definitely up there with some of the very best looking wheels on the market.
But were they worth the wait? Squealing aside, yes, without a shadow of doubt.
What was that about squealing? Yes, they do. Like mo’ fo’s. Really rather loudly – worryingly so in fact. It does thankfully subside and then desist with time (around 500km), coupled with careful toeing of the brake pads.
Whilst we’re on the subject of those pads, be warned you’ll go through the first set of pads like toilet paper after a dodgy curry, but the harshness of the rim surface finish starts to wear down and then the pad wear rate declines. It turns out it’s the harsh edges of that surface treatment that causes the squealing too.
Mavic freely admit all of this happens so I’m not worried by any of it, especially given the braking performance on them. And that braking performance really is worth raving about.
Anyone who has ridden with me on any kind of descent, but particularly long mountain descents, will know that I’m often one of the last down. Much as I love riding them I’m not fast or confident. I have a habit of spending way too much time on the brakes, only to then worry that I’m heating the rims up too much which is when I start worrying about puncturing through heat build up… and so it goes on. Whilst I’ve not ridden any mountain descents on these wheels yet (that comes next weekend on the Gran Fondo Nove Colli), what I have been able to do which is a new experience for me is to leave my braking incredibly late (for me at least), but more importantly to be able to do so confidently. I like that a lot.
The flipside of that initial squealing is that when you go through the softening of the surface the braking noise you are treated to once they stop squealing is actually (bizarrely) quite cool… maybe I’ll try and record it or something!
One update to offer here: after running the wheels on some longer European descents on the Gran Fondo Nove Colli recently I was quite alarmed at how quickly I was going through the pads. That said, I’d still rather be running these rims than carbon clinchers on long descents. Having now got home and checked them over there is actually still plenty of life left in them after all.
This is a set of wheels that are plenty stiff enough too. I wouldn’t say “they don’t budge”, but I do like to run my pads quite close to the rim so a little bit of brake rub out of the saddle isn’t entirely unexpected, especially for an 82kg lump like me. Add that to the sprightly manner in which they spin up and there’s definitely nothing to put you off.
Sure, the R-SYS spoke design is still under question, but there’s very few (if any) reports of the newer spoke style suffering anything like the failures seen on the first iteration of the design. Travel carefully with them and I see no reason they should let you down – I’m not going to let the scaremongering stop me using them, that’s for sure.
Second update: Mine got damaged coming back from the Nove Colli and are currently unusable. Damn it.
For what it’s worth, I recently got a bit flappy about whether or not I should really be running Lightweights on my Baum (for a plethora of reasons that I won’t bother going into). For a while I was prepared to switch from stupidly expensive sub-1200g wheels to circa 1600g wheels costing half as much to put a set of Cosmic Carbone SLRs on it. Considering the Baum is a total ‘dream bike’ build for me I think that says quite a lot about what I think of them.
Also worth noting is the fact that these wheels are sold as a ‘WTS’ set – that’s ‘Wheel Tyre ‘System’, just to clarify. The beauty of this is that the wheels come ready mounted, logos aligned and everything, with tyres and tubes. It just so happens that the Mavic Yksion Powerlink (rear) and Griplink (front) tyres are pretty bloody good in their own right. A neat little finishing touch and a little more justification (sort of) for those extra pennies spent.
Yes, Mavic probably should supply them with a second set of pads out of the box as you really do rip through that first set alarmingly quick. That aside, they look fantastic and really do offer more braking confidence than any other wheel I’ve used. I’m yet to try them in the wet, or to see how the surface wears over a long period of time as it is only a surface treatment (I’m not sure when or how, but I scratched mine so I have an annoying silver mark on one of the rims) so that will be interesting – so far so good though.
In case it wasn’t already clear, I rate them very highly – they’re really very impressive. Finally the all-black carbon look with the surefooted confidence of aluminium.
Point to note: Yes, the Swissstop Flash Pro Green GHP2 pads are the same compound as the Swissstop/Mavic pad designed for these wheels, but the Mavic pad has a differently designed face which apparently works better with the Exalith surface – choose wisely for that second set of pads as you may well lose some of the benefit of that braking performance.
Tags:Cosmic Carbone,Exalith,Lightweights,Mavic,R-SYS,SLR
28 thoughts on “Mavic R-SYS SLR (Exalith) Wheels – Review”
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I’ve been interested in these as they are part of a Canyon SRAM Red build that I’ve got my eye on.
Great looking and lightweight for a factory wheel
My only issue is rim/spoke replacement. That kind of £££ only to bin once the rim it goes seems ludicrous!!
How are they with mounting the tyre?? Tight or easy?
How could I forget! one of the best things is they come with the tyres and tubes already mounted! Logos aligned and everything! Post now updated to include this fact…
Also worth noting that spokes probably can be replaced, and if the rim goes on any factory wheel it’s often the case that they’d need / only be worth binning as a replacement isn’t often cost-effective. Not always the case though.
I want a set of these, like, really want! I haven’t looked up the costs yet, probably for the best, if I have to ask, I probably can’t afford it!
Wonder whether the coating will filter down to less rims in the range.
Also, longevitity – like you said, wonder how long it will last? I had some black anodised rims in the 90s and they look way nasty when the coating wears off.
Good write up – appreciated.
I’m running the CC SLRs on my C59 and love them. You’re right about the looks – really stealthy and set off most bikes beautifully, just as the LWs do.
I actually had the Ksyrium SLRs for a few weeks prior to the CCs arriving (on loan from Cyclefit) and I used them in Majorca recently. They were brilliant for climbing and behaved impeccably all week.
With a surprise trip to the Haute Savoie with GPM10 coming up shortly I’m getting the the RSys SLRs this week as I need all the help I can get up climbs, and I found there was a big difference between the Ksyriums and the CCs.
I think whatever version you choose, RSys, Ksyrium or CC, you will be pleased.
Cheers,
Jon
How about a follow up with your thoughts and observations on these wheels after your Nove Colli ride?
Just ordered a set to finish my new build and am heading to the Alps with them in June, so any feedback appreciated.
Cheers
Chris
I will do Chris – there’s a couple of comments about it over on LugsToLightweights.cc and I’ll copy those across the here later.
I should add – ultimately, take spare pads, but they were awesome under braking.
Unfortunately they got damaged on the way home and are currently unusable.
Thanks Rich, planning on taking a couple of spare pads for the week.
How did they get damaged?
The rear skewer got bent in transit – that’s now stuck, and I’m pretty sure the axle is damaged too. The force of that shoved the rear wheel hard against the front one and damaged a spoke.
I was swearing lots on twitter last night…
You know what ? I read every word of that. It was interesting, the grammar was good and it was pretty well written. Now there’s a thought . . .
Now I’m even more pissed off that I have no brake pads for my spanking new Cosmic SLEs.
Thanks Harry – appreciate the compliment.
Let’s hope those Campag pads aren’t too much longer arriving. If it helps at all, Sigma Sport in London have the Campag pads in stock – you might be able to order them online, then when your expected ones arrive you’ll have a spare set ready and waiting.
I’d just like to add, in follow up to the ‘damaged in transit’ comments above – the wheel went back to Mavic and was fully rebuilt with new spokes on the side of the damaged spoke. It was returned with a full, new 12-month warranty.
If only my other wheel issue could be sorted so easily…
any more comments on this review?
I’d like to hear more-
I’m considering purchasing a pair
The wheels are still going strong and I’m still a big fan. You won’t be disappointed.
The only thing I’d add: if the carbon spokes on the front wheels worry you then get the Ksyrium SLRs – the rear wheels is the same as the R-SYS, but the front has bladed aluminium spokes. I think it’s realistically the better option as it’s cheaper and the weight penalty is basically negligible.
Hi
I have these on my Canyon Pro. Love them, based on limited Exp, last set F5′s. They scream like F**k and after 500miles they noise has only subsided a little. Pads are now pretty much shot to shit. Does it ever stop? I will say they now make a nice hum when coming to a gradual stop.
Thanks
Simon
Simon – they do squeal for the first 500km or so, and they do rip through the first set of pads. The review says as much and Mavic openly state this too. My own wheels and those of friends have all subsided after that though – are you toeing your pads in enough? If you’re still getting squealing then my guess would be you need to address that.
In terms of pad wear, you will notice them go quickly. Again, it subsides once bedded in, but they still wear quicker than most and that’s only to be expected given there’s a textured surface to the rim. There’s a wear line on the pads so check that – they can go a lot lower than I thought before they need replacing.
Thanks for reply. Yes I read that there honest about the scream. When say “you toeing your pads in enough?” Does that mean running the pads as close as poss to the rim? One,more thing Can you true the wheel in,a standard way?, took a detour into a ditch last wknd and the front is running a little kink. Sites like yours are really helpful, Thanks.
Pad toe-in means the front of the pad should be closer to the rim than the rear of the pad. Not by much, 1mm at most. It allows the pad to rotate forward under braking force to square up on the rim – without it pads drag, which is probably what it making your squealing so bad.
The wheels can be trued, yes – you should have got a spoke tool with them when you bought them. If not your LBS should be able to help.
Thanks for the compliment!
Thanks Rich
Thats sounds like Fun. LBS ahoy. I do have some plastic tools that came in wheel bags I’ll take them as there isn’t any Mavic Dealers in Cambridge. As an aside how do think these wheels compare to the Fulcrum Zeros? Like said before I really rate them I’m not getting dropped,as much, And hills (releative concept in Cambridge area) are easier. Both have nothing to do with dropping a stone since Christmas.. “Its all about the bike” right?
They’re a similar weight to the Fulcrum Zeros, and probably slightly less stiff – the Fulcrums are rock solid wheels though, and probably too harsh! The Fulcrums will be more aero than the R-SYS due to the spoke design, but they’re probably about the same as the Ksyrium SLRs.
Not getting dropped is not down to the wheels – but congrats on the weight loss!
Hi Rich
Toed.
Scream, Gone.
Tronesque Deceleration hum in place.
Thanks.
Hi there. I've been usina these wheels for 1 year and they perform as great as they look.
My online complaint caem yesterday, in a spring shower during a short workout in Paris. Nothing to worry except the way back home in which I had to use the brakes more often due to traffic. The grit/dirt from the rain ruined my rims. They looked great yesterday morning. Today they look like crap with the breaking surface worn out. I'm very disappointed. Can it be fixed? Or do I have to change the rims? Performance is the same though. But when you get a Ferrari you'll always want it shining red!
As per the last comment, if one had a set of "rain wheels" to swap out, assume one would have to change break pads then as well?
If you want to look after the Exalith brake surface then yes, I would change brake pads – the pads are fine for alu rim use, but shards of aluminium from a normal rim could score the Exalith treatment if you then use them on an SLR wheel.
2nd Set of r-sys rims and still making a huge squealing noise on heavy breaking, and there well worn in now, i,m well disappointed, first set the rims went silver/bare but not even very patchy, got to say though Mavic have been great and replaced no problem but this time i,m moving back to the SLs new 2012 and again mavic have been great about this, got some credit coming my way too
That's interesting Gary, and the first I've heard of such constant long term squealing.
I always found a bit of extra toe-in on the pads sorted the noise without adversely impacting brake performance, and others I know who have had excessive squealing have been able to sort it with the same approach.
A shame to hear you've struggled, but positive to know that Mavic have been seemingly quite useful in dealing with it.
I recently got set of R-SYS SLR, first day out on them was a shocker. Noise was unbearable and really had a short ride. Almost on the verge of selling them and then I toed in the brake pads. Noise amazingly disappeared when braking. Love the wheels now!