With the Cosmic Ultimate 45 Disc 23mm, Mavic presents a new high-end wheel. According to the manufacturer, the carbon wheelset, which is entirely handmade in France, combines lightweight construction, aerodynamics and stiffness in one product. The total weight of the wheelset is just 1260 grams, with the front wheel weighing 575 grams and the rear wheel 685 grams. The biggest difference compared to the Predecessor model is the width of the tubeless rim well. The rim now has an inner width of 23 millimetres, which optimises it for wider tyres. The rim well of the previous model was only 19 mm wide. The maximum outer width is 32 millimetres with a height of 45 millimetres. The rim is equipped with a hook (hooked) and is designed for tubeless operation without rim tape, as the rim well is not drilled. Each wheel is built in the French workshop of Mavic and, according to Mavic, requires over eight hours of manual labour to position and assemble the 71 individual carbon components. The result is a genuine monobloc construction, which is realised using rim-to-rim technology (R2R), in which the spokes run from one side of the rim to the other.
Aerodynamics on the Cosmic Ultimate 45 Disc
Aerodynamic performance is the focus of the Cosmic Ultimate 45 Disc 23mm. Mavic relies on a NACA rim profile (National Advisory Committee for Aerodynamics), which has been tested in the wind tunnel to minimise drag and increase stability in crosswinds. The wider rim is intended to enable a smoother transition between rim and tyre, which reduces micro-turbulence. According to Mavic, this design provides a more stable platform that improves handling at high speeds, especially in gusty conditions. The carbon spokes of the wheel have also been Wind tunnel developed. The patented design is said to reduce resistance by 5 watts compared to flat spokes. 20 spokes are used per wheel, which are glued directly into the rim. The monolithic R2R construction is also said to enable faster cornering thanks to greater stiffness and immediate response behaviour when braking. With 219 watts in the TOUR setup - measured at 45 km/h in a complete wheel - the predecessor model was on a par with the best classic steel-spoke wheels with a comparable rim height.
Wide tyres on the Cosmic Ultimate
The wider rim allows the use of tyres with a width of 28 to 32 millimetres, whereby Mavic recommends 30 millimetre wide tyres. This should result in a wider but shorter tyre footprint, which reduces rolling resistance and improves comfort on rough surfaces. It is also possible to ride with lower tyre pressure. Mavic equips the Cosmic Ultimate 45 Disc 23mm with ceramic bearings, which, according to the manufacturer, should have 28 per cent less friction than steel bearings. According to Mavic, the black ceramic balls made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) offer better impact resistance than white ceramic balls made of zirconium oxide (ZrO2). The bearings are lubricated with a premium grease from Japan and assembled in ISO-certified clean rooms.
Drive and responsiveness
The freehub of the Cosmic Ultimate 45 Disc 23mm is based on Mavic's Instant Drive 360 system with up to 40 teeth and a 9 degree engagement angle. This is intended to enable fast power transmission with reduced friction. The freehub is available both as HG light (Shimano/SRAM) and as XDR (SRAM). The hubs are made entirely of carbon and fitted with ceramic bearings. The axles correspond to the standard 12x100 millimetre front and 12x142 millimetre rear. The brake system is designed as a centre lock. The hubs can be maintained without tools, which makes it easier to change the freehub body or carry out service work.
Technical specifications Mavic Cosmic Ultimate 45 Disc
- Weight: 1260 grams (575 grams front, 685 grams rear)
- Rim: Carbon, 23 millimetre inner width, 32 millimetre maximum outer width, 45 millimetre height
- Rim profile: NACA profile with hook (hooked)
- Rim well: Undrilled, tubeless-ready without rim tape
- Spokes: Carbon, Rim-to-Rim (R2R) technology, 20 spokes front and rear
- Hubs: Carbon, Mavic ceramic bearings
- Axles: 12x100 millimetres front, 12x142 millimetres rear
- Freewheel: Instant Drive 360, available as HG light or XDR
- Brake system: Centrelock
- Tyre recommendation: 28-32 millimetres (optimum: 30 millimetres)
- Price: 4399 Euro
Kristian Bauer
Editor
