"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Should R-Sys's be illegal?

So I was just sitting around reading the UCI rules, and I came across this one (1.3.018):

• On impact, no element of the wheel may become detached and be expelled outwards.
• The rupture must not present any shattered or broken off elements, or any sharp or serrated
surfaces that could harm the user, other riders and/or third parties.
• The rupture characteristics must not cause the hub to become separated from the rim in such a
way that the wheel becomes detached from the forks.

I did not know this. The spoke flying through the air in this famous photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcmphotography/2289425287/in/set-72157603977693668/
would seem to indicate that R-sys are not compliant with this rule, no?

Mavic is a major sponsor. It'd never happen.

dont know, but anyone who rides them is either a fool or suicidal, or both.

They should re-name the R-Sys the Mavic Detonator.

Bring back the Rev-X! The 8 bladed wheel of death! I loved those wheels. I wish I never sold them.

Bring back the Rev-X! The 8 bladed wheel of death! I loved those wheels. I wish I never sold them.

I have some of those that I was given. I'm scared to ride them, but man, they are fast when I do.

Bring back the Rev-X! The 8 bladed wheel of death! I loved those wheels. I wish I never sold them.

I always wondered what a squirrel dashing into one of those from the curb would look like after such an encounter. Those wheels were like Roadkill Processors. They scared me.

I always wondered what a squirrel dashing into one of those from the curb would look like after such an encounter.

http://z.about.com/d/japanesefood/1/0/7/8/nigirizushi-binchomaguro.jpg

bit OT, but so is this forum. Are Rev-X's illegal in mass start races? If they are, does anyone actually care if I show up at a cat 4 race with them?

bit OT, but so is this forum. Are Rev-X's illegal in mass start races? If they are, does anyone actually care if I show up at a cat 4 race with them?

No. UCI only I think. I see them being used still.

I have had 2 fornicating birds fly right thru my front wheel and get tossed out dead and into a buddy who behind me in the paceline. I never went down. It was pretty nasty according to those behind me. This was during an MS150 ride some years ago. At the end of the day I was christened with a new Indian name "Johnny Kills 2 Birds."

I remember on a ride once a rabbit dashed thru my front wheel and managed to not get killed. Wierd.

I haven't seen a single Rev-X in any USAC races lately, so I figured the rule went for them too.

Has anyone even seen a pro riding an R-Sys? You know, like in a race?

Has anyone even seen a pro riding an R-Sys? You know, like in a race?

Yes. Don't remember the race though. It was right after they came out. Just pictures though, not in person.

http://tour-de-france.velonews.com/article/80221/saunier-s-secret---mavic-s-pro-only-prototype-r-sys-wheelset

If this is the same R-Sys we are talking about, then the SD rides them. Or atleast some of the riders do.

they ride - er, rode - the proteam version of the r sys. 1080 grams

ive never heard of any trouble around the local circuit out here, we had a fuji sl and an orbea orca sold with em and both guys love the stiffness. One races, one doesnt. I think with enough force any wheel could get pretty F;d up

ive never heard of any trouble around the local circuit out here, we had a fuji sl and an orbea orca sold with em and both guys love the stiffness. One races, one doesnt. I think with enough force any wheel could get pretty F;d up

Yes, but the point is that the force from a crash does not send pieces of CF flying through the peloton when a normal wheel tacos. Even if a spoke does break they stay attached to the wheel. Keep in mind these are UCI rules, which USA Cycling only enforces some of unless you are in a championship event.

Wow, teams do ride them. Weird. The next time someone uses pro team product selection as an argument, I've got some return fire for them.

our sponsor shop wont order/sell r-sys wheels due to too many catastrophic failures.

The wheel would have had to have been tested by the UCI and I am sure it passed. I have seen video of the testing and it has to do with a front end collision...I am not sure if they do anything with an object going into the spokes (like a pedal or whatever).

Wow, teams do ride them. Weird. The next time someone uses pro team product selection as an argument, I've got some return fire for them.

Make that two potentially life-threatening activities practiced by Saunier Duval...

^^ haha buwahahhaha nice one

I guess they needed the CERA to overcome the aerodynamic properties of the wheels.

I guess they needed the CERA to overcome the aerodynamic properties of the wheels.

I've ridden on them a few times now...nothing special. They are super stiff I'll give them that. They're respectable climbers, but you can feel the drag on the flats if you're use to something more aero. A good amount of effort is needed to spin them up as well. I would use them as a training wheels; but I'll take my Mike Garcia sourced Nio 19s when performance matters. Very dissapointing for what they're asking.

I am told Mavic isolated the detonation cause about six months ago and that the newer wheels have been redesigned. Allegedly a part that fastens the spoke to the hub was replaced. I don't think the newer ones are failing.

Can anyone else confirm or dispute this version?

Wow, teams do ride them. Weird. The next time someone uses pro team product selection as an argument, I've got some return fire for them.

They stopped using them and are instead using the Mavic Cosmic Carbone Ultimate whenever possible.

The only time you see the R-Sys is on rainy days when the aluminum brake surface will come in handy on the descents.

I am told Mavic isolated the detonation cause about six months ago and that the newer wheels have been redesigned. Allegedly a part that fastens the spoke to the hub was replaced. I don't think the newer ones are failing.

Can anyone else confirm or dispute this version?

It still sucks compared to everything else in the Mavic line, and it sucks really bad compared to everything else.

It won't blow up on you when you side load it, but it will still just about fall to bits if someone sticks a pedal in it and takes out a spoke or two.

I am told Mavic isolated the detonation cause about six months ago and that the newer wheels have been redesigned. Allegedly a part that fastens the spoke to the hub was replaced. I don't think the newer ones are failing.

Can anyone else confirm or dispute this version?

I'll let you know when crash season starts up here next February.

I am told Mavic isolated the detonation cause about six months ago and that the newer wheels have been redesigned. Allegedly a part that fastens the spoke to the hub was replaced. I don't think the newer ones are failing.

Can anyone else confirm or dispute this version?

Are you just trying to get some good press on these wheels because your new Cannondale w/ DA 7900 will also include Mavic's flagship wheel?

Are you just trying to get some good press on these wheels because your new Cannondale w/ DA 7900 will also include Mavic's flagship wheel?

I am far from deciding on my next racing bike. I'd rather NOT have the R-Sys wheels, if only to avoid the BF Flogging that would entail. Regardless, the next bike will probably be permanently equipped with the Zipp 404 tubies and carbon brake pads.

I have the R-Sys wheels for about a month now. I bought them at a price I couldn't pass on, used only a couple of times. I figured at this price I could easily recoup my money if I didn't like them and even make some profit.
So far I really like them. Compared to my 2003 Ksyrium SLs they are super responsive, pushing on the pedals results in instant acceleration. The wheels are stiff and not harsh to ride. I keep my Pro2Race tires to 110-115 in the rear and 100-105 in the front and it works fantastic.
I had been off the bike for a full month due to a back issue so performance is hard to judge (I am no racer anyway) but I have matched or improved PB times on a couple of my routes already.
The wheels offer a definite advantage on climbs, I am amazed on how much improvement I am making on hills, the bike seems lighter and I seem more powerful. The wheels are about 200+ gr lighter than my previous set but I am sure the stiffness is the real reason.
On the flats I do not find any difference except than they seem less sensitive to cross winds than the Ksyriums. I read about their lack of aerodynamic but honestly unless you have the perfect body position and are racing against the clock I doubt most riders will notice. The rider's body probably accounts for more than 90% of the wind resistance, the wheels, may be, 1%.
All in all I am very pleased and will keep these wheels. I have ridden over potholes without an issue, they are still true and smooth.

It's rather timely that this thread was bumped. I got my front back a few weeks ago with the hub fixed and just destroyed a spoke yesterday. I ran into the large base of a bollard that was missing because I was trying to avoid an illegally parked car. The tire flatted and spoke exploded and I went down. I went down because of the force of the impact though, not because of the spoke... Just sucks that I have to send it back again... Maybe I can just get a spoke somewhere...

Hope you are ok. A broken spoke is easy to fix, not so for a broken body.

a bunch of people race cross on these including some US masters champions.

I'm ok