There has been no other wheel system like the Mavic Ksyrium series and the incredible heritage carries the Ksyrium concept to new heights in the Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL Clincher Wheelset With full 3K carbon 17mm internal width clincher rims, exceptional braking, new freehub engagement system, and a weight at 1390 grams for the set, this is the Ksyrium many have longed for since Zipp and Enve started to nail carbon clinchers. Even with the 25mm profile carbon rims, there is plenty of immediately recognizable Mavic technology here, along with a few new items of interest that combine to make this the best all-around Ksyrium ever for cyclists who want a performance wheel that can handle every day use, respond like a rocket, handle like a race car, and ride with a feel and quality that recalls the best modern Danish furniture.

It really all starts with the rim. Using technology that was developed for the recent Cosmic Carbone, Mavic uses a special process to create a 3K carbon clincher rim that is not only strong and resilient, but also has excellent braking characteristics. The process is called iTgMAX, which stands for Internal Glass Transition Temperature. With this system, the rim bed is created and built out to profile layer after layer of fine 3K carbon fiber, in continual, seamless sheets, creating a final one-piece unique rim contour wherein no fibers are cut. A proprietary resin and compaction system is used to create the final product. This results in a very strong rim structure, but also allows Mavic to ensure internal rim cooling, even at the hottest temperatures, which helps to maintain safe tire/rim interaction, but also maintains consistent braking, even under prolonged descents. The final stage of the TgMAX process is a laser finishing of the brake track, which creates a positive relationship between the rim and brake pad for consistent, powerful braking in all conditions. Mavic claims a 48% improvement over competitors in wet braking conditions with the supplied Mavic-specific carbon brake pads, which seems crazy, until you ride the wheels back to back.

The rim itself features a 17mm internal width, which is optimized with the 25mm rim profile for tires from 700x25 to 700x32mm wide. The natural expansion of the tire is no more appropriate with the rim width, giving an 25mm an optimal shape to the rim for best possible aerodynamics with this combination. The ride quality of the rim is much smoother due to the carbon construction defeating road vibration and minor impacts- a huge upgrade from the harshness of the aluminum Kysrium SL level wheels. A major departure from the alloy Ksyrium's is the more traditional spoke end/nipple combination, and the steel spokes. More like the Ksyrium Elite in this way, the Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL features straight pull, double butted, bladed steel spokes, which also improve the ride quality. With the rim so inherently strong, the spoke tension is still quite high and Mavic builds the front and rear wheels to complement each other.

The front is pretty traditional for Mavic, with 18 spokes laced 9 per side in a radial pattern, with spokes that disappear into the aero-shaped alloy hub flanges. The result is impeccable stiffness and response under load. The carbon rim and steel spokes work to defeat impact and road vibration. For the rear wheel Mavic chose their paradigm twisting Isopulse system. It is laced radial driveside and 2x on the non-drive. This is opposite of what you'd expect, but Mavic creates the required hub and rim strength necessary and the resulting dish of the wheel is much more appropriate, as is the balance of traction and compression side to side on the spokes. The result is a wheel that offers incredible response and wholly predictable handling at any speed, just as you'd expect from a top level Ksyrium wheel.

The big news for many Ksyrium fans is the Instant Drive 360 freehub system. For those who toiled through the FTS-L years, the ID 360 is 40 grams lighter, features lower internal friction from in improved seal system, and features two opposing 40T ratchets that deliver 9° engagement that is incredibly fast, reliable and fairly quiet. Although the system is tool free, you also will rarely need to service it, but perhaps you will change drivetrains someday, so know that Shimano/SRAM 11, Campagnolo, and SRAM XD-R freehub options are available. This system engages to the lightweight machined aluminum hub body, with its oversized alloy axle and the standout QRM+ double sealed steel bearings. This typical Mavic system is micro-adjustable while the wheel is mounted in the bike. The rear access is behind a dust cover on the non-drive side. The front hub is equipped with the same QRM+ system.

Mavic has worked to build their tire line, and the go-to road clincher tires are the supplied Yksion Pro Powerlink and Griplink models. Each 700x25 tire weighs in at 210 grams and the front Griplink is designed for speed and grip, with a Kevlar built and soft shoulder rubber. The rear Powerlink gets a wider nylon breaker and offer less rolling resistance and power transfer. A subtle directional shoulder tread pattern with a softer rubber ensures your WTS survives the sharp corners the wheel encourages you to take. The max pressure for the 25mm tires is 110psi, so mind your air gauge when inflating.

If lightweight all-around performance is your preferred wheel type in a clincher rim design, we highly recommend the Ksyrium Pro Carbon SL Wheelset. The ride quality, responsiveness, acceleration, and braking are all sublime. Serious enthusiasts and racing cyclists alike drive the market for such wheels. With special pricing on this wheeset, you have no excuse for not riding a sub 1400 gram carbon clincher wheelset.