Review: Mavic CXR80 T race wheels
Wonderful when you're at speed, but we wouldn't choose them for tricky, short-course races
Like the CXR60s that we tested back in issue 289, Mavic’s CXR80s are a complete wheel/tyre system, including ‘blades’ that fill up the gap between tyre and rim, smoothing out the overall profile.
They weigh in at 1,630g for the pair, but you can add another 500g for Mavic’s own tubular tyres and blades so the complete package comes in at almost 2,200g.
As a result, they do feel a bit slow when you kick out of the saddle to get them going but, having said that, when you are up to speed they really do fly along. Climbing isn’t as much joy as on lighter wheels, but given that most tri courses aren’t too hilly it shouldn’t be an issue.
We’d definitely save these for iron-distance (plus, Kona champ Fred Van Lierde rides them), rather than shorter, more technical courses that’ll require frequent accelerating out of corners.
Contact : www.mavic.com
Jamie Beach
Former digital editor 
