Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc on test

With the Cosmic SLR 45 Disc, Mavic sent us some true all-rounders to take on the competition in our big aero wheel group test. But can these classic wheels hold their own against the latest performance models on the market? Mavic stand out from the crowd thanks to their innovative nipple design and undrilled rim beds. Can they prevail?

**Mavic** Cosmic SLR 45 Disc | € 2,249 | 1419 g | Manufacturer’s website

We tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test – click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.

As former market leaders in the wheel industry, Mavic have had it tough in recent years. However, the French manufacturers are slowly but steadily making a comeback. As one of the driving innovators of the classic hooked rim, Mavic are back in the middle of the current hookless debate. It’s no surprise that the historic French brand continue to place their bets on the hooked design. That said, the Cosmic SLR wheelset doesn’t just aim to impress with the tried and tested, but also with an innovative nipple design, making for a cleaner, futuristic rim. But how do the wheels stack up against the competition in our group test?

Regaining their former glory? The Mavic Cosmic SLR 45

With the Cosmic SLR 45, Mavic aren’t just breaking new technical ground, but also distinguishing themselves from the competition in terms of looks. The raw carbon look, tactile laser etched SLR logo on the rim, and yellow Mavic accents result in an understated but distinctive look. The rim geometry, on the other hand, is a bit old school. With an internal rim width of just under 20 mm and an external width of 28 mm, the Cosmic SLRs still work with 28 mm tires, but wider tires don’t pair so well with the Mavic rims and are likely to compromise their aerodynamics too. The traditional Mavic hook provides peace of mind and makes for versatile wheels that are compatible with a wide range of tires and tire pressures. It also promises an easy tubeless setup due to the continuous rim beds of the Cosmic SLRs – simply insert the valve, pop on the tire, add sealant and inflate. This is possible thanks to the innovative design of the spokes and nipples. In contrast to the conventional design, the nipples screw directly into the inner face of the rim, which is thanks to embedded threaded aluminium inserts. As an additional benefit, the wheels can be serviced without having to remove the tires.

**Unique**
Thanks to the laser etched SLR logo in the rim, Mavic offer a unique look and feel.

**Go tubeless**
With the undrilled rim bed, there is no excuse not to go tubeless. We want more of this, please!

**Mavic the innovators**
With the nipples screwing directly into the rim, Mavic take modern wheel design to the next level.

At 1,419 g, they’re slightly heavier than average, but they offer excellent value for money. They’re amongst the more affordable wheels on test, priced at € 2,249. Moreover, Mavic offer a lifetime warranty and a crash replacement scheme – that’s impressive!

**Classic**
The hubs are true and proven classics from the Mavic range, making for robust and durable wheels.

**Iconic**
The small yellow Mavic emblem is iconic.

Spectacularly unspectacular – Mavic Cosmic SLR 45

With a rim depth of 45 mm, the wheels have all-round written all over them, but what makes good all-rounders? Good climbing characteristics, average efficiency, balanced compliance, and a high level of stability? At least, that’s what the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 promise and deliver. Like the DT Swiss ERC, Mavic’s wheels are incredibly well-balanced, but they’re designed more for all-round racing than for endurance. Thanks to average compliance and just the right amount of stiffness, the Cosmic wheelset accelerates quickly and performs well in sprints, though without feeling touchy or unpredictable in the corners or on fast descents. As such, they work just as well for relaxed group rides as they do for leisurely weekend jaunts. Due to the relatively shallow rim depth and comparatively skinny bladed spokes, they’re highly composed and largely unaffected by crosswinds, too. Overall, they feel like a pair of well-balanced, all-round wheels.

Aero all-rounder – The Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 in the wind tunnel

Riding the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45s, it didn’t feel like the wheels offer much in terms of aerodynamic performance. Although significantly faster and more modern than the competition from Lightweight, the equally deep DT Swiss models perform significantly better on the road than the wheels from Mavic. The wind tunnel tests show just how much. The test winning Syncros wheels are separated from the Mavics by an average of 5.5 watts. The Cosmic SLR also loses just under 2 watts to the mid-field formed by HUNT, CADEX and DT Swiss, despite having similar rim depths. Their poorer performance is especially noticeable at moderate yaw angles of 7.5° and up, as well as their less significant sail effect.

Our conclusion on the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45

Narrow, but not out: While the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 are somewhat skinnier than most modern high-performance wheels, they stand out from the crowd with their clever spoke mounting interface and undrilled rim bed, nonetheless. What’s more, they feel balanced in virtually every situation. Only their aero performance can’t keep up with the competition. But if you can spare a few watts, the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 is a very high quality wheelset with excellent all-round handling.

Tops

high quality look with tactile SLR logo and Mavic accents
innovative spoke tensioning system
no-fuss tubeless setup

Flops

rims are slightly too narrow for a modern wheelset
below-average aero performance

For more information, visit mavic.com

The test field