Ridden: Mavic’s limited edition 125th Anniversary Ksyrium 125 wheels

Mavic is celebrating its “125 ans” (125-year) anniversary with a new, lighter, limited edition version of its venerable Ksyrium wheelset, aptly named the Ksyrium 125, along with a special version of its next-generation HC jersey and bib shorts and a dramatically improved Cosmic Ultimate helmet.

Limited Edition Ksyrium 125 and Yksion tires

The new wheel uses much of the same technology as the current Ksyrium SLR, including Exalith rim and brake track treatment and a combination of straight-pull aluminum spokes and the carbon spokes also found on the R-Sys wheel, but adds a new rim-milling technique the company is calling ISM 4D.

Current Ksyrium models feature heavily milled rims, a procedure for reducing weight called ISM 3D. ISM 4D, as one might expect, goes one step further; the rim itself is milled even thinner and is left with a more rounded profile. The result is a rim that is not only lighter but also marginally more aerodynamic, according to Mavic.

The new wheel weighs a claimed 1,370 grams per pair, 605g in the front and 765g in the rear. That’s 30 grams lighter than the current Ksyrium Exalith.

Mavic will build 6,000 Ksyrium 125 wheelsets, and each one is numbered on the rim.

Ride quality on a single test ride is always difficult to ascertain, and frankly the new Yksion Griplink front and Powerlink tires, in a real 23mm width for the first time, were far more noticeable than 30 grams. The tires are excellent, much better than the previous version; the wheels feel like Ksyriums — stiff laterally and quick to accelerate, and an excellent climbing wheel.

The best feature of the new Yksion tires is the slightly higher volume. The tires actually measure the same width they claim, now. Weight is reasonable at a claimed 190g for the 23mm version, and the tires feature a Kevlar breaker for extra flat protection. Mavic is doing quite a bit of in-house rolling resistance testing these days as well, and though it wouldn’t provide precise numbers the company does say the new Yksion rolls quicker than the previous version.

The Ksyrium 125 wheelsets will be available in late May or early June for $1,849. Prices for the new Yksion tires have not yet been set.

HC 125 jersey and bibs

The limited-edition HC 125 jersey and bib shorts are a sneak peak of Mavic’s 2015 clothing line, using the same Ergo 3D Pro chamois that will grace next year’s bibs. Expect the styling queues to make their way onto the new gear as well.

Mavic moved into apparel just a few years ago, but it’s position under parent company Amer Sports, along with outdoor clothing giants like Arcteryx and Solomon, put it in good stead. But although Mavic’s fabrics have always been excellent, it has occasionally missed the mark on fit and finish. Happily, the HC 125 gear seems to have avoided such pitfalls.

The jersey is cut thin and long, unsurprising as the HC gear is intended for racer types. In fact, it’s one of the longest jerseys we’ve used in recent memory — too long for a few journalists with short torsos present at the launch.

The fabrics used in the jersey are of medium-weight but seemed to breath well, and Mavic claims they provide extra UV protection. Mesh inserts under the arms and on the back further improve cooling.

The shorts were equally pleasing. Mavic has missed the mark on chamois placement in the past, but nailed it this time around. The new Ergo 3D Pro chamois is excellent, and its position within the HC 125 shorts is spot on as well. Thickness is size-specific, with small and medium shorts getting a 15mm thick pad and large, XL, and XXL shorts getting a 17mm pad.

The HC 125 bibs are $150, and the jersey is $125 — very reasonable prices for a high-end kit.

New Cosmic Ultimate helmet

Just as it has done with clothing, Mavic seems to be finding its rhythm with the new Cosmic Ultimate helmet.

The new lid is significantly lower profile than the previous version, with a smaller flare down the center of the head and lower overall volume — that means less of a mushroom-head look. Mavic says it offers just as much protection as the former model. Foam density has been reduced to provide a bit more cushion.

The dial retention system is simple but effective, and much lower profile than before. The straps see a similar change — they’re thinner than before, and placed a bit further back.

These modifications — the slimmed down shell, retention system, and straps — make for a much lighter helmet, 210 grams for a size medium. That’s just about in Giro Aeon and Bell Gage territory.

Padding is all anti-microbial, and 26 vents cool effectively. The new helmet will be available in black, white, and, of course, Mavic yellow. Pricing for the helmet is not yet available.