View Full Version : Mavic Cosmos vs. Ultegra/Open Pro -- sealed cartridge bearings?
wwtsui
12-16-2004, 05:26 AM
Looking for a sturdy set of wheels for a winter bike I'm getting built up, and it looks like Cosmos go for about the same as the ubiquitous Ultegra/OPs (of which I already have a set and like just fine). The main difference I can see between them is in the bearings -- sealed cartridge on the Cosmos vs. loose/cone/cup on Ultegras. Any opinions/experiences? Thanks.
coylifut
12-16-2004, 08:19 AM
Looking for a sturdy set of wheels for a winter bike I'm getting built up, and it looks like Cosmos go for about the same as the ubiquitous Ultegra/OPs (of which I already have a set and like just fine). The main difference I can see between them is in the bearings -- sealed cartridge on the Cosmos vs. loose/cone/cup on Ultegras. Any opinions/experiences? Thanks.
I have a set of the Cosmos that I use on my rain bike and they're fine, but I seem to go through drive side bearings a bit too fast. Also, they are machine built and mine came a bit under tensioned. If I had to do it over again, I'd go with the ubiquitous loose bearing design. Also, I much prefer local built wheels. Any wheelsmith worth his salt will provide lifetime truing and spoke replacement.
Ken Robb
12-16-2004, 11:45 AM
I think the rims are similar so I would guess that the OP rims with 32 holes would be sturdier. The seals on 105 and better hubs are very good so I don't see an advantage to "sealed cartridge bearings" over just-as-sealed loose ball bearings.
dgauthier
12-16-2004, 12:35 PM
I have a set of the Cosmos, which came stock on my 2002 Bianchi. The Cosmos rims are more like the MA3's, so they're heavier than Open Pro's, but the Cosmos wheels aren't terribly stiff or strong because of the low spoke count. (I have 28 spokes front and rear, and I think current models have 28 rear and only 24 front.) Wheel dish is a problem in the rear, and with only 28 spokes, my rear wheel goes out of true often. (I weight 185 lbs and cruise at about 250 watts.) I've come to suspect this is because my rear wheel is undertensioned, as Coylifut brought up.
The Cosmos wheelset isn't bad - in fact it's just fine - but I think a well made set of hand builts offers better value. I look forward to a nice set of hand builts when I trade up.
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