Mavic Cosmic Carbone 80 Tubular Rim Brake Wheelset

The Mavic Cosmic Carbone 80 Tubular Rim Brake Wheelset is built for one thing: maximum aerodynamic speed on flat courses. At 80mm deep, this is Mavic's most aggressive road wheel depth — designed for time trialists, triathletes, and road racers chasing top-end velocity on circuits and out-and-back courses where wind resistance is the primary enemy. The wheelset arrives complete with Mavic's Yksion Pro SSC tubular tires already mounted, a Grip Link compound up front for steering precision and a Power Link compound at the rear for efficient power transfer, so the setup from box to road is as direct as it gets for a tubular build.

Carbon Fairing, Aluminum Brake Track

The Cosmic Carbone 80 uses a construction approach that separates it from full-carbon rim brake wheels: a carbon outer fairing bonded to an aluminum rim and braking surface. The carbon shell delivers the 80mm aero profile and keeps weight reasonable, while the aluminum brake track solves the two problems that made early deep-section carbon rim brake wheels difficult to trust — heat management under sustained hard braking and consistent feel in wet conditions. Descending at speed on an aluminum brake track feels predictable and progressive in a way that all-carbon rim brake surfaces often don't. For riders who want maximum aerodynamic depth without compromising their confidence on technical descents, the hybrid construction is a deliberate engineering choice, not a compromise. The front rim weighs 725g; the rear weighs 915g, for a combined wheelset weight of approximately 1,640g without the tires.

FTS-L Hub and QRM+ Bearings

The rear hub runs Mavic's FTS-L (Freehub Tension & Speed-L) system, a pawl-based freehub designed for fast, reliable engagement and straightforward serviceability. The freehub body ships in your choice of Campagnolo (11-speed compatible) or Shimano/SRAM HG11 configuration. Front hub bearings are Mavic's QRM+ precision sealed cartridge system — sealed against contamination and designed for long service intervals with minimal maintenance. The spoke count is deliberately low: 16 bladed black spokes in the front wheel and 20 in the rear, each built to 235mm on the non-drive side and 232mm on the drive side. Fewer spokes reduce aerodynamic drag meaningfully at 80mm depth, where the rim itself is doing most of the structural work and the spokes are optimized for minimum cross-sectional area through the wind.

80mm Depth in Practice

An 80mm rim depth is a commitment. On a flat TT course or a smooth triathlon bike leg, the Cosmic Carbone 80 cuts through still air faster than any wheel with a shallower profile — the aerodynamic advantage compounds over distance in a way that shallower race wheels can't match. In moderate crosswinds the wheel is manageable but demands attention; in strong, variable gusts it becomes work. Riders using the Cosmic Carbone 80 on the bike leg of an Ironman or on a dedicated TT machine are getting the most from it. On a road race with punchy climbs, technical corners, or unpredictable wind, a wheel in the 40–60mm range offers a better balance. The tubular tire format adds another layer of intentionality — tubular setup takes time and commitment, but rewards riders with a supple, high-performance ride quality and puncture behavior (slow leak rather than catastrophic blow-out) that makes the format the choice of racers who prioritize on-course performance above all else.

Who This Wheelset Is For

The Mavic Cosmic Carbone 80 Tubular is at home on a dedicated TT or triathlon bike, or on a road bike being set up specifically for flat time trial events. Riders who already run tubulars and understand the format will appreciate the complete package: tires included, hubs proven reliable, and a rim construction that doesn't compromise on braking confidence to achieve maximum rim depth. At its price point, this wheelset delivers everything a competitive time trialist or triathlete needs in a single box.