PiLigand

So this past weekend I messed up my Mavic Cosmic Elites. My heart breaks a little to type that.They're probably still rideable in their 're-bent' state according to the LBS proprietor, but there is a good chance I'll be replacing them. But I thought about just getting new rims as the spokes and hubs are fine (and quite good).

But I can't seem to find cosmic elite rims. Okay, I guess that's not a thing. I can't really even find rims to fit at all. Is the 'h number' the number of holes? I would think I'd need 20h rims, but mavic isn't providing.

Gah. I feel so lost at this point, I just want my bike rolling again. Can anyone help me out with some info on rims here? Thank you much.

cny-bikeman

To use the same spokes you will need hubs with not only the same number of holes but also the same ERD (effective rim diameter). There's no reason it needs to be a Mavic. I'll step aside to let others make recommendations.

FBinNY 

One of the problems with pre-built wheels like the Cosmics is that replacement rims are priced in such a way as to make rebuilding almost as expensive as replacing with new wheels. That's if the rim is available at all.

If the dealer says your wheels are OK, live with them as long as you're willing, then buy a fresh wheel or pair, and move these slightly bend down to Plan B status for use in bad weather, or on bad roads, or as emergency back up wheels.

Jed19

Try this guy.

https://roguemechanic.bigcartel.com/p...ack-996-054-13

e_guevara

Wouldn't fit if the OP wants to reuse the spokes. Ksyrium SL rims are 22mm deep, the Cosmic Elites he has is 30mm. He can however use longer spokes if he wants to.

At $168/rim I think it's worth the rebuild given original Mavic hubs.

e_guevara

If you don't mind non-Mavic rims, you might want to try this for $100/rim

Alexrims R475

They're 30mm deep - same as the Cosmic Elites, and are available in 20H. Since it's also 30mm, it probably has the same ERD as the Cosmics. I could be wrong though.

zukahn1 

+2 on this one if the dealer says there fine more than likley there fine for a few thousand miles on this level of wheel. In The mean time rather than looking for just a rim keep an eye out for another set of wheels. Nice slightly worn similar wheelsets turn up on CL surprisingly often at fairly low prices in bigger markets. I got a nice set with cassette good tires and scewers for $120.

PiLigand

Yep, I'll ride them if I can. We'll see how they look once they're true again. But in the case of that not working out, what think you of something along these lines? https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/ird-n...black-rim.html

reddog3

I'm not a big fan of Mavic rims or prebuilt wheels but I'll try to not let that color my response-

The rim you show from Prowheelbuilder is a deeper section rim, and will require new spokes. Have a look at the Kinlin XR300 from Bikehubstore. Same 30mm section as yours. Not certain ERD is the same but that's easily checked, Then you could reuse the spokes.

Cosmic Elites are not an expensive wheelset, nor are they particularly light. You could just true them up and save for backups. I'd build a set using Kinlins and BHS hubs. Cheap at around $400 for parts (CX-Ray spokes)- lighter than the Cosmics by 300-400g- and IMO a better wheel. The guys who are riding them think so too. Their OEM Mavic wheelsets are on the shelf after only a few miles, replaced by these.

PiLigand

You are super helpful. I do now note that they are different ERDs (576 vs 577, which Iwould think is negligible?), but how would I check what the ERD of the cosmics are or what ERD i would need for my spokes? Is that printed somewhere?
YOu're right, they're not super light, but I actually like this wheelset quite a bit. There are others like it but I think it would be tough to find a better set for the same price. That being said, I'd like to use the parts I have as much as possible, so my goal would be to use the hubs at least.

reddog3

Mavic tech site does not give ERD measurements for rims used in wheelsets, so you must measure your own. There is a discussion here on measuring ERD- https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...rd+measurement

If you're having a shop do the wheelwork, surely they have an ERD measuring device?

dabac

It seems like your wheels have a normal nipple/rim interface, as opposed to the threaded eyelets Mavic use on some rims. This means that you have a decent chance of figuring out the ERD, and maybe tracking down a non-Mavic rim that can be used as a replacement.

OTOH I didn't have any particular problems with sourcing a Mavic replacement rim either. Mavic online tech support got me the article number, then all I had to do was to call a LBS that could order Mavic parts, wait a week and then pay up.
As I did the work myself, I still managed to get it to make financial sense, but not by much.

PiLigand

Awesome, guys. Thanks much!