Mavic R-Sys Wheels for 2012 Madone 5.2
11-23-11, 10:11 AM
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Mavic R-Sys Wheels for 2012 Madone 5.2
Hello everyone, my LBS here in Toronto is offering me a new Mavic R-Sys wheelset for my soon-to-be-delivered 2012 Madone for $1,299.99 + they keep the stock Bontrager wheels that come with the bike. As I don't have a lot of experience with these wheelsets, I am wondering if anyone can offer advice on whether this is a reasonable deal or not. I have to decide fairly quickly on this (because I want my greedy hands on the bike), so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
11-23-11, 10:19 AM
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R-sys wheels are no where near the top of my list, even if they don't spontaneously explode any more.
Very expensive & non-aero. What are the benefits ?
Very expensive & non-aero. What are the benefits ?
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11-23-11, 10:29 AM
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Assuming you mean the R-Sys SL, that doesn't sound like a very good deal considering that the typical price for the Shimano wheelset is $1399. (Amazon and many others have this price.)
Which means you're only getting $100 in value for the Bontrager Race 20/24 wheelset. I think the bontys are worth more than $100, although with that spoke count I wouldn't say that you should keep them as your daily wheel or cobblestone wheel.
Assuming you can't get a better deal from the LBS just buy the Mavics yourself and then sell the Bontys on ebay before you put a single mile on them. Then go and get a cheap set of Aksiums or something if you need a tough wheel, or instead spend the money on the MP3 warranty for the R-Sys.
Which means you're only getting $100 in value for the Bontrager Race 20/24 wheelset. I think the bontys are worth more than $100, although with that spoke count I wouldn't say that you should keep them as your daily wheel or cobblestone wheel.
Assuming you can't get a better deal from the LBS just buy the Mavics yourself and then sell the Bontys on ebay before you put a single mile on them. Then go and get a cheap set of Aksiums or something if you need a tough wheel, or instead spend the money on the MP3 warranty for the R-Sys.
11-23-11, 10:35 AM
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I have a set of R-Sys that were given to me due to a guy not being able to pay me back and I ride them fairly often. I like them. They are light and pretty stiff. They brake well and have been nothing but solid. I admit my first hard ride on them was nerve wracking what with the exploding mavic siories and all. I have to admit that i can feel a difference when racing with them 9in terms of drag) but only when out in front pulling or trying to chase a break. It's not a huge difference and I am not any closer to winning a race if I use my carbon aero hoops but I do feel a difference when the speeds are higher.
I would also take a look at something like a pair of November 38mm carbon clinchers that are like $800 and lighter and much more aero. Keep the original wheels and have two sets.
I would also take a look at something like a pair of November 38mm carbon clinchers that are like $800 and lighter and much more aero. Keep the original wheels and have two sets.
11-23-11, 11:15 AM
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I have a set of R-Sys that were given to me due to a guy not being able to pay me back and I ride them fairly often. I like them. They are light and pretty stiff. They brake well and have been nothing but solid. I admit my first hard ride on them was nerve wracking what with the exploding mavic siories and all. I have to admit that i can feel a difference when racing with them 9in terms of drag) but only when out in front pulling or trying to chase a break. It's not a huge difference and I am not any closer to winning a race if I use my carbon aero hoops but I do feel a difference when the speeds are higher.
I would also take a look at something like a pair of November 38mm carbon clinchers that are like $800 and lighter and much more aero. Keep the original wheels and have two sets.
I would also take a look at something like a pair of November 38mm carbon clinchers that are like $800 and lighter and much more aero. Keep the original wheels and have two sets.
11-23-11, 11:19 AM
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One of the most famous exploding r-sys pic series happened in a race here in Austin. We got to see it first hand. Can't believe someone thought hollow carbon tube spokes was a good idea...
11-23-11, 11:20 AM
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The R-Sys spokes used to explode. Mavic actually redesigned the hub and did a recall. It's probably reliable now, but maybe not depending on your weight and riding conditions.
Some info here or you can Google up your own: https://velonews.competitor.com/2009/...-failure_93054
Homebrew was talking about the fact that it is a box-section rim and aero shapes are popular now, even when they make no difference (like a 28mm). I don't mean this sarcastically, as my last wheel purchase has a shallow aero rim-- Boyd 30mm for my wife's bike.
Some info here or you can Google up your own: https://velonews.competitor.com/2009/...-failure_93054
Homebrew was talking about the fact that it is a box-section rim and aero shapes are popular now, even when they make no difference (like a 28mm). I don't mean this sarcastically, as my last wheel purchase has a shallow aero rim-- Boyd 30mm for my wife's bike.
Last edited by ColinL; 11-23-11 at 11:24 AM. Reason: case of the DUHs
11-23-11, 12:12 PM
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I ran a pair for about 2000 miles with no issues ever. The R-Sys has been ridden by the pros from Flanders to the Tour.
The Velonews article came out inconclusive. Mavic asked for the tire, but the rider never provided it. I also read that a tube less tire was used on that rim. Not that the the tire caused it...but the rim was never designed to run tube less tires.
On the "aero" issue. The wheel is supposed to more or less a climbing wheel.
The Velonews article came out inconclusive. Mavic asked for the tire, but the rider never provided it. I also read that a tube less tire was used on that rim. Not that the the tire caused it...but the rim was never designed to run tube less tires.
On the "aero" issue. The wheel is supposed to more or less a climbing wheel.
11-23-11, 12:46 PM
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Road tubeless tires do fit tighter and I would bet this places more compression on the wheel.
Anyway, I still wouldn't buy the R-Sys. As others have noted, there are better choices for $1300. They are damn light but if you want that and the ability to use road tubeless explicitly, then I'd just get a Stans Alpha wheel.
11-23-11, 12:58 PM
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That came from the poster "STARNUT" on RBR.
"I had a teammate in that race, in that break, 2nd wheel behind that guy when the wheel "asspolded." What you don't hear..... he was running a Specalized tire, tubless. Neither the rim nor the tire were/are designed for that. My teammate had stan's sealant all over him and his frame. Further, the tire disappeared and the tech guys at VeloSnooze refused to send the tire to mavic for testing. Mavic instead goes and buys 12 of these tires from a shop. 6-8 of them failed the same why the one in the race did set up tubless. So.... I'm just sayin'. Further, the guy the wrote that article no longer works are VeloSnooze, perhaps some correlation? As an aside, you speaking out about why the R-sys are bad and having a sig line linking to your "hand build wheels" is also a bit disingenuous. I'm not saying anything bad.... I'm just sayin'. You've got more skin in the game than just an opinion. "
https://forums.roadbikereview.com/whe...-257648-2.html
"I had a teammate in that race, in that break, 2nd wheel behind that guy when the wheel "asspolded." What you don't hear..... he was running a Specalized tire, tubless. Neither the rim nor the tire were/are designed for that. My teammate had stan's sealant all over him and his frame. Further, the tire disappeared and the tech guys at VeloSnooze refused to send the tire to mavic for testing. Mavic instead goes and buys 12 of these tires from a shop. 6-8 of them failed the same why the one in the race did set up tubless. So.... I'm just sayin'. Further, the guy the wrote that article no longer works are VeloSnooze, perhaps some correlation? As an aside, you speaking out about why the R-sys are bad and having a sig line linking to your "hand build wheels" is also a bit disingenuous. I'm not saying anything bad.... I'm just sayin'. You've got more skin in the game than just an opinion. "
https://forums.roadbikereview.com/whe...-257648-2.html
11-23-11, 12:59 PM
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The Velonews guy was on a post recall redesigned wheel. Is there a post post recall redesign?
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11-23-11, 01:02 PM
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Specialized Turbo tubeless is/was a rebadged Hutchinson Fusion 2. (Not sure that it is still made.) That would actually explain why the badges don't quite match what I expected to see. 
11-23-11, 01:27 PM
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is that sarcasm? if not, maybe you didn't see this pic taken right after the VN contributor's wreck:
https://velonews.competitor.com/files...s/4sitting.jpg
the tire appears to be fully inflated. I don't think it failed or blew out.
but as I said, I could see how a roadtubeless tire could contribute to failure in the wheel. I have read before of clinchers losing spoke tension after installing a roadtubeless tire, that's how tight they are.
https://velonews.competitor.com/files...s/4sitting.jpg
the tire appears to be fully inflated. I don't think it failed or blew out.
but as I said, I could see how a roadtubeless tire could contribute to failure in the wheel. I have read before of clinchers losing spoke tension after installing a roadtubeless tire, that's how tight they are.
11-23-11, 01:36 PM
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They could have popped it back on?
I can't tell if its inflated or not? If it was fully inflated...why did he not provide the tire when Mavic asked for it?
I can't tell if its inflated or not? If it was fully inflated...why did he not provide the tire when Mavic asked for it?
11-23-11, 01:45 PM
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They may have fixed the issue with the wheels. I don't know about that. In just about any other wheel system though if a derailer or pedal gets into the spokes most likely the worst you'll get is a broken spoke - not an instantaneous de-hooping of the wheel. Other implementations have proven better for carbon spokes - Topolino for examply uses carbon encased in kevlar. I saw one of their wheels after a run in with a car. The wheel was taco'd but not a single spoke was broken.
11-23-11, 01:47 PM
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I think it was this one where the wheel either caught a pedal or derailleur.
The first one you put up I think the guy hit a curb or a median.
All these pictures are over two years old.
You have anything new?
The first one you put up I think the guy hit a curb or a median.
All these pictures are over two years old.
You have anything new?
11-23-11, 02:01 PM
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Even if the wheels are perfect now, I still think they're expensive for what you get.
Mavic should have renamed the new version to avoid the stigma of the "r-sys" name.
Mavic should have renamed the new version to avoid the stigma of the "r-sys" name.
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11-23-11, 02:01 PM
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I only posted these because somone posted earlier asking what the fuss was about these wheels. And actually - I just realized I know the photographer who took the 2nd (he's a friend and occasional ride partner. He's changed his copyrigt logo since so I didn't make the connection until now) so I might take it down. Mavic admitted these versions of the wheels were faulty and recalled them. Haven't heard of any issues with the current stuff so hopefully they got the kinks worked out.
carbon spokes!
11-23-11, 03:39 PM
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You can get much better wheels for that kind of coin...
Psimet*
Soul
November
Boyd
etc....
*Could even do a Powertap wheelset....
Psimet*
Soul
November
Boyd
etc....
*Could even do a Powertap wheelset....
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11-23-11, 03:59 PM
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Back when they first came out there weren't anywhere near as many choices. Wheels have probably evolved more quickly than any other part of the bicycle over the past 4 years or so.