Mavic

Ksyrium UST WTS Wheel

We all know that new wheels are one of the smartest upgrades you can do to your bike and whether you're looking to drop a few grams, step up to tubeless technology, or run these as your race wheels or daily drivers and keep your stock wheels for spares, the Ksyrium UST WTS Wheel from Mavic fits the bill without breaking the bank. These wheels deliver the proven performance honed over 125-years of racing history delivered in a package that’s ready to rock right out of the box. Developed as a system, the rims and tires work in unison for outstanding performance on the open road while remaining super easy to install or remove when it comes time for service.

We see no reason to argue the merits of road tubeless anymore and consider it a moot point to debate and we'll quickly explain that our experience points to quicker rolling, more comfort, and the reduced likelihood of punctures. By removing the inner tube, the friction normally associated with that setup is eliminated, resulting in less rolling resistance and more speed with less effort. Tubeless also allows for the ability to ride with lower tire pressure without the fear of the dreaded pinch flat which results in a more comfortable ride with more traction. About the only thing we could possibly complain about with some other road tubeless setups are the frustration of install that usually manifests itself as an overly tight tire we must wrestle on the rim or an overly loose setup that doesn’t capture air making beading up the tire a pain. Mavic addresses this by developing the rim and tire as part of its UST system, for an optimized fit that makes it easy to set up and rock solid in use.

Mavic made a name for itself with its alloy manipulation, crafting the industry's lightest and most durable rims. It's well known that reducing rotational weight is essential on race bikes and cutting grams at the rims yields easier climbing and quicker accelerations. To achieve this, Mavic uses its exclusive Maxtal alloy which allows it to build durable rims as it is stronger than conventional 6106 alloy. After bending the rim into shape, the ends are joined together by a process known as SUP or Soude Usine Process. This technique involves arc welding the connection and milling the seam to a smooth finish, eliminating any stress risers and providing a super smooth brake track for shutter free braking. The last Mavic exclusive technology is its ISM 4D machining allowing it to remove unnecessary material between the spoke to drop some weight without affecting rigidity or strength. The internal width of the rim sits at a healthy 19mm providing low rolling resistance and comfort with the included Yksion Pro UST 25mm tires.

At the center of the wheels are aluminum bodied hubs spinning on Mavic's sealed QRM bearings. They feature double seals keeping contaminants out and allowing the wheels to spin smoothly for seasons to come. The rear hub uses its Force Transfer System Light freehub system which uses stainless steel inserts inside the freehub body and pawls for additional reliability and affords the use of an all alloy freehub body. While it's not quite as quick to engage as the brand's new Instant Drive 360 freehub, it is a proven Mavic design and helps get this wheelset in at this price point.