ZIPP 302 vs Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon Exalith

Think that offers over. Closest is the Strike (62mm Depth) for £1099 minus the aditional 10% at the moment. 

https://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-wheels/reynolds-strike-clincher/tub...

Damn...RColaco  - Now you've got me weighing my wheelsets and looking for new ones!  I think the 9100 DuraAce currently on offer at Evans represent fantastic VFM at GBP700 (1400g with skewers, top hubs, and a 0.7mm thin ally braking strip, comfortably under 2kg with tyres - a kilo lighter than my winter Open Pros - which were sluggish at the weekend!).  

Then I think I'd be looking at the Reynolds Aero 58 clincher.  I love Reynolds wheels - plenty of history there.  They also meet your 45mm section requirement and can be literally stolen for GBP900 from ProBikeKit (I think this was a GBP2k+ wheel when it came out).... 

I have the 2015 Mavic Cosmic Pro Exalith's.

They are old school, very narrow and a very v shaped rim. 

But it all depends on how and where you intend to use them. 

Carbon rims in the rain or in the mountains in high summer are not for me. A friend, whilst traversing the Pyrenees two years ago had a carbon rim on the front wheel disintegrate on him.

I do not own a set of carbon rimmed wheels so cannot comment further.

The Mavics are a handful in the wind and also I found when descending fast in the mountains the front wheel is moving around all the time. I am 72kg so maybe too light, if I were heavier maybe they would be more stable.

But I love the sound of the Mavics as I accelerate, they are fast in the right conditions. They do look fast as well. I have had no problems with them so far.

I think the best solution would be a 60mm rear with a 40mm front.

And if you disc brakes then carbon is best.

I'll add the Prime wheels from CRC/wiggle into the debate. They're cheap, pretty light, tubeless ready and brother nrg driverplan (now Ribble pro cycling) rode them last year when they had to buy wheels. I have two sets, alloy and carbon, they've both been reliable with the alloys used for cross. The hubs are easy to service, the rr series carbons (cheaper slightly heavier) use normal spokes and the bnd pro cycling mechanic (and rider) who I know thought they were decent enough.

Just chiming in to say that I doubt you'll have an issue with the Hunts, they have plenty of guys out there there riding Ultra-Endurance stuff on them. If they had reliability issues we'd know about it by now...

Hell, my dad commutes daily on his and he's not a small guy. He's broken Ksyriums before, to give you an idea of how he rides. 

For my 2 cents, I race on Bontrager Aura 5s (same shape as the Aeolus, alloy rim with a carbon fairing) and I love how they carry speed. At 1750g they're not crazy heavy either, you definitely don't notice it while riding, plus you get the benefit of an alloy braking surface. 

But really all this is academic. I was looking at the Mavics, but got the Bontrager because I was offered a good deal on them. In reality, whether you go for Mavic, Zipp, Hunt, Hed, Reynolds, Bontrager, Fulcrum or something else, at that price point and with good tyres they're all going to feel pretty damn good. For my money I'd talk to some local shops and see what they can do on each choice (many price match nowadays), then make a decision from there.

Have you taken a look at the Cero RC45's?

A lot lighter than what you were looking at; https://www.cycledivision.co.uk/wheels/cero-rc45-evo-carbon-clincher-whe...

Never heard of them so can't comment - similar vein to your feeling on the Hunts I Guess. 

Looking at Merlin however, they've got great prices on the Reynolds wheels which I'd take anyday over the Mavics Cosmics. Nearly bought a set of the Assaults when I was looking for some, but went for a shallower (35mm) set of Campags due to weight and price. 

This website did a review many years ago, and found them excellent and a guy I used to ride with in the club used them all year round and they were bombproof. 

The key for me, when buying Carbon wheels is the braking, as was going to be using them in the Alps. Thus Campag/Fulcrum, Mavic, Zipp and Reynolds full carbon braking surface is tried and tested not to fail, some of the cheaper brands may not be so robust. I can confirm, having demo'ed the afformentioned brands, that they all brake well. 

See:

https://www.merlincycles.com/reynolds-assault-c-tl-clincher-road-wheelse...

or for super Aero:

https://www.merlincycles.com/reynolds-assault-strike-clincher-wheelset-2...

I would't get caught up too much between 40mm, 45mm and 50mm wheels. Alot of pros this season have been rocking the Dura-ace C40's. All of them will be significantly more aero than your Kysriums.

Keep an eye on the weight too, as although you'll be more aero, you'll also start adding more weight the deeper you go especially at your price point, which may end up making the bike feel more sluggish especially if you're racing crits with frequent accelerations, or steep climbs.  

Final one on Hunt, you raise a fair point about longevity, but the bonus of being relatively small is their customer service is pretty good, and the hubs are Novatec which have a fairly decent track record. 

I'd still be tempted to go for the Zipps as they're a full carbon construction, nice wide internal and external diameter which'll give you a nice smooth tyre profile and designed purely with Aero in mind. Whereas the cosmics are efectively a Kysrium with a thin carbon faring.  They also rattle which gets really irritating for those club mates riding with you

In the end though, you pays your money and rides your bike  

You could save more money by not getting the Exaliths and just getting the plain Mavic Cosmic Carbon Pros, I have a pair and the braking is fine with the alu rim anyway. I used mine all last summer and autumn and I would recommend them although they are heavier than the claimed weight. The Mavics come with a 3 year warranty if you register them.

Out of your two choices, I'd say go for the Zipps.

But I'd throw in the Fulcrum Racing Quattro Carbon as tend to be excellent value, and the hubs are superb with the ceramic bearings that roll forever. They're also often on sale or under £1k. They're effectively Campag Boras (which I run), but without the Campag logo so appease people that don't like mixing Shimano/campag Logos. The braking surface works well, come with Pads and you'd leave yourself enough change for a nice set of Vitorra Corsa G+ and some nice tubes. Winner. 

RE: braking. yes it'l be better on the mavics, but it'll also be totally fine on the Zipp/Fulcrums too. You just adapt and then you don't think about it after 1 rides. 

*edit* Also forgot to mention that the Hunt Carbons (eitehr 50mm or 36mm depth) will happily fall into your budget and leave you some money left for tyres (Tubeless compatable). I've not used the carbon Hunt wheels but they're well recieved in genteral. On Road.cc Hunt seem to be a polarising Love them or Lothe them company, but the Alu disc wheels on my Cross/winter bike have been faultless. 

Just playing close attention to the reviews - and I've run both  over the years (Open Pro, Ksyrium SLs, Cosmics, 303s & 404s). Not a huge sample, but no trouble with the Zipp hubs or maintenance (and I believe the 302s are brass nipple, standard spokes, so possible more durable and easier to maintain); whereas I had some trouble with the Ksyriums and their non-standard parts (though they were early versions and replaced immediately with excellent customer service).  I like the idea of the exalith rim - if you're riding rim brakes - otherwise rim wear and tear and braking comments are irrelevant.

Sounds like your experience has been otherwise, BTBS?  Nice problem to have, buying new wheels. Enjoy them RColcao

I ride only Zipp, but... a consideration to take in to account is the Exalith's better braking power in the wet. I think this is undisputed.

If you're racing, think of this.

Zipp hubs, end of story as to why you want to go with the Mavics, no rider weight limit on the Mavics (dunno about the zipps), better braking, better longevity in the rim. 

Servicing easier with zipps over mavics, in what way? Parts easier to acquire AND cheaper for Mavic than for Zipp.

My 2d worth.

Hmmm....they both come in at 2.5kg+ with tyres and skewers - so not that light: braking would be better with the Mavics, servicing easier with the Zipps.  Not a dissimilar weight to Shamal ultras (if you have an Italian bike - or Hed Belgiums, if you have a US frame; both of which would be more hardwearing)....

I've been using them since November and the 302's are amazing, they're the best 'do it all' wheels I've ever used. 

Mavics all day long

I'm not an expert on expensive wheels but my instincts say go for the Zipps. Everything on Mavic wheels tends to be proprietary which make repairing them when they break or wear out ridiculously expensive.

Edit: Just googled the Zipps and, damn, they're sexy! I think if I ever have the cash for posh wheels, the 302's would be high on my list and Zipp is such a cool brand.