Mavic

R-Sys SLR Wheelset - Clincher

The traditionalists at Mavic stayed the course with skinny, lighter rims for a few more years than most other manufacturers, but they're now embracing the advent of wider rims. The 2016 version of Mavic's beloved R-Sys SLR Clincher Wheelset carries the same wider rims of its 2015 predecessor, and in true Mavic fashion, doesn't make any radical departures from the R-Sys SLR's already extremely effective design as a lightweight, dependable training wheel.

Some of the major updates made in 2015 include Mavic's replacement of its ISM 3D rim design with the all-new ISM 4D, which Mavic claims is the most advanced alloy rim the company has ever produced. Mavic's reasoning for this comes from the new extrusion and milling pattern that shaves weight and produces a rim that is wider, both internally and externally, by one millimeter (up to 16mm and 20mm, respectively) and deeper. Content with the balance of low weight, stiffness, and aerodynamic improvement that last year's rim profile struck, the 2016 rims retain the same measurements with the front rim now measuring 24mm deep, and the rear 26mm.

The rims also feature an enhanced Exalith 2 brake track, Mavic's extremely effective textured aluminum braking surface. It shortens stopping distances in both dry- and wet-conditions by almost 20% compared to standard alloy braking surfaces while also increasing service life of both the brake track and the included Exalith-specific brake pads.

While the rim is the same as last year, the familiar-looking black aluminum hubs are equipped with updated QRM SL bearings. Touting the same allowance for micro-fine preload adjustments with narrow tolerances, they now boast a 12% weight reduction compared to last year's QRM+ system, and Mavic includes a bearing adjustment tool with the wheelset for at-home tuning. Keeping with the lightweight design, a Force Transfer System Light (or FTS-L) is used in the freehub body. This reinforces the contact area between the aluminum hub body and the pawls with two stainless steel inserts for a better engagement and a longer life.

Mavic trusted the compound masters at Hutchinson to produce the tires for the R-Sys again this year, and the Griplink front tire and Powerlink rear tire once again prove to be an ideal combination for everyday riding. Both tires are 25mm wide and feature puncture protection and a reliable, grippy tread in the front paired with low rolling resistance and flat protection in the rear.

Connecting those hubs to the 4D rims are ultra-stiff, lightweight, carbon fiber Tracomp spokes on the front wheel and the rear wheel's non-drive side. As with previous generations, the rear drive side spokes are Mavic's proprietary Zicral alloy. The front wheel uses 16 radially laced spokes, and the rear has 20 spokes with a two-cross drive side and radial non-drive side lacing pattern. Tracomp spokes provide an incredible amount of rigidity because they flex less under load, and when the spoke experiences less compression, it's less prone to performance-dulling deflection.

Additionally, Mavic includes a few extras with the R-Sys SLR's to make your transition to a new wheelset easier: a computer magnet, a spoke holder for aerodynamic spokes, and a Tracomp ring tool all aim to simplify set-up and anticipate common maintenance needs.