Mavic Ellipse

The Mavic Ellipse is similar in feel to the Mavic Ksyrium SL, however the Mavic Ellipse represents about 95% of the performance of wheelsets at 50% of the cost. Far from cutting corners to maintain their competitive edge, Mavic uses the research and technology developed from their highest end racing wheels to glean performance that others need pay a premium for.

Starting from the center and moving outward, the Ellipse wheelset starts with Mavic’s own sealed cartridge QRM bearing, known to provide years of maintenance-free riding with all the resistance of a greased Chihuahua on a water slide.

Although there are more expensive and arguably better ceramic bearings out there, it’s beyond debate at this point that the QRM remains one of the best metal units in the industry.  Again, the QRM is one of those race technologies that have been combined with the economy of scale to produce yet another step up in Mavic’s price/value equation.

The Mavic Ellipse’s high-strength stainless spokes are profiled to decrease drag.  Whereas most companies cut down the existing round-stock spokes to gain this edge, Mavic actually goes up a gauge and contours down from there, to maintain the original spoke’s cross-section. Although this production method does maintain the strength of the original spoke, it must be said that this is part of the reason this wheel-set comes in at a slightly heavy 1996g.

Additionally, those sinister-looking black anodized 6061 aluminum rims are 30mm in depth to provide more inside angle for reduced drag, without altering the polar-moment of inertia too much.

Given the slightly high curb weight and extra aero edge of the spokes and absolute rigidity they offer, the Mavic Ellipse may be best applied to sections of flat, winding sections of road like the Champs-Elysees.

Mavic Ellipse Wheelsets on eBay

Related posts:

1. Mavic Ksyrium SL SSC Wheelset Review