MAVIC ALLROAD PRO CARBON SL
£1800 An evolutionary step... at a price
The Allroad’s recent evolutionary step includes carbon rims and a rather different price bracket. For twice the price of the Allroad Pro UST Disc, the Pro Carbon SL’s rims are a little taller and wider, with a subtly aero profile and very understated finish. The only branding being a slim yellow Mavic logo.
They’re supplied with Mavic Yksion Elite Allroad XL 40mm tyres, UST tubeless valves, Mavic tubeless sealant and syringe, plus adaptors to switch the 12mm thru-axle end caps to quick release. Swapping to the optional frontaxle and end caps gives 15mm thru-axle compatibility as well. The centre lock hubs have aluminium bodies and axles, auto-adjust sealed cartridge bearings and Mavic’s responsive Instant Drive (ID) 360 freehub, which can be swapped for a SRAM XD-compatible unit.
Whereas the aluminium Allroad Pro has an undrilled rim bed and screw-in Zicral spokes, the Pro Carbon SL’s conventionally drilled unidirectional carbon rim bed relies on tubeless tape to seal it. There are 24 double-butted, straight-pull, flat steel spokes per wheel and square aluminium nipples. The rims are 25mm tall and 23mm wide internally, with a hookless UST design that seats tyres fast. Mavic says that the Pro Carbon SL rims are suited for tyres from 28mm to 64mm wide and recommends that the total system weight doesn’t exceed 120kg.
Including 12mm end caps, tubeless valves and tape, our wheelset weighed 1521g, 150g lighter than the Allroad Pro UST with 12mm end caps and valves. The carbon rim is 1mm wider internally, doesn’t share the aluminium model’s carbon front hub body, but has lighter spokes.
With 33mm Schwalbe tyres fitted, they have great response, accelerating swiftly from slow speed with a satisfying hint of whip when under serious loads. Without the ultimate rigidity of the Allroad Pros, the Allroad Pro Carbon SLs have a more compliant feel that, along with low pressures and tubeless security, helps to maximise the grip available and provide decent seated comfort. They have all-terrain confidence, spin beautifully and have brushed off everything we’ve thrown at them so far.