Mavic

Aksium Disc Wheelset - Clincher

Pricey hoops are enticing, but they aren't always in the cards, and just because you can't drop a few months in rent on a sexy carbon wheelset doesn't mean you should be stuck riding around on your old rattling hubs or warped rims. Upgrade to Mavic's utilitarian Aksium Disc Wheelset, a confidently simplified cousin of the Ksyrium line, and crush gravel or road courses with Mavic finesse and reliability, without taking out a loan to go on a ride.

Known as a workhorse groupset for cyclists more concerned with functionality than inspiring jealousy at the coffee shop, the Aksium Disc employs a straightforward construction, composed of S6000 aluminum and a single-eyelet design rather than the lighter milled construction of the Ksyrium line. Though it’s a little stockier than its lithe, pricy Ksyrium cousins, the Aksium is every bit as capable of withstanding gravel and 'cross riding or miles of endurance road riding, and the weight gain is a small sacrifice for the drop in price. Plus, the rims will spin on Mavic's reliable QRM hubs, with tight tolerances for a responsive ride. For the disc version, Mavic reinforced the wheelset to manage greater rotational forces and more aggressive terrain by upping the spoke count from 20 to 24, rounding out the wheelset's solid, commendable design.