Northern California - post-recall, R-Sys wheel failure - aka, the exploding wheel

I know there are those of us who are always interested in the latest bike bling, and these R-Sys wheels caught my eye when they were first announced, but when a serious catastrophic failure can happen although the chances are "low" as shown in this article, I'll pass:

http://www.velonews.com/article/93054

I don't know why anybody would want those.

They look very non-aero and the weight, while relatively light, is around the same as several other options that aren't prone to exploding.

same as several other options that aren't prone to exploding.

Where's the thrill in that?

Spinergy Rev-X part deux!

(Though at least you could watch the Rev-Xes die.)

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=550019

I feel real bad for the guy who crashed, but some of the comments on the above thread in the racing forum made me laugh.

I don't know why anybody would want those.

They look very non-aero and the weight, while relatively light, is around the same as several other options that aren't prone to exploding.

Never underestimate the bling factor in cycling!

I am actually using those and like them. I got them barely used at such a deal that I had nothing to loose. Great climbing wheels. Much better than the 2003 Ksyrium I was using before.
I am now obviously concerned about their integrity. I trust Mavic will handle things as required, the recent recall was handled very well and very fairly in my opinion. There are thousands of these wheels currently in use and the number of issues has been rather limited even before the recall. All involved racing and contacts that would have killed any other wheel. The recent crash is however disturbing as it involves the new spikes and that no contact occured.

And... hey, what's wrong with bling?

I am actually using those and like them. I got them barely used at such a deal that I had nothing to loose. Great climbing wheels. Much better than the 2003 Ksyrium I was using before.
I am now obviously concerned about their integrity. I trust Mavic will handle things as required, the recent recall was handled very well and very fairly in my opinion. There are thousands of these wheels currently in use and the number of issues has been rather limited even before the recall. All involved racing and contacts that would have killed any other wheel. The recent crash is however disturbing as it involves the new spikes and that no contact occured.

And... hey, what's wrong with bling?

Never buy French... :p

Never buy French... :p

Correct, you never what might happen.

But what a sorrow life would be without some bubbly once in a while. :cheers:

Response from Mavic.

http://www.velonews.com/article/93240/mavic-responds-to-wheel-collapse-article

In my e-mail to the Velonews editor following his article I mentioned the photo with the tire off the rim. It seemed odd to me that the spoke failure would have triggered a failure of the tube and tire.
Obviously Mavic is trying to get the blame on something other than the wheel, it is fair to accept the behavior as long as they accept full responsibility if proofs shows the contrary. I doubt the frame failed before the crash, the impact of the rider's weight is probably the reason. But I think the tire issue is very legitimate. The rider is very clear in his article that he felt his wheel going sideways before its total failure. This would be consistent with a tire or tube failure. Over pressurized tire?

Anyway I like how this thing is handled by both parties so far, I hope it turns for the better.