New cycling shoes tend to be a "Princess and the Pea"-type scenario: If one little thing about them goes wrong, it can make a ride downright miserable. The Mavic Cosmic Ultimates are designed to be both comfortable and stiff. The Mavic Ergo Dial closure system helps to dial in the fit and relieve hot spots, while the carbon sole and carbon framing help to keep the shoe light and eliminate flex. The combination works: I know some people who have super-stiff shoes they use for racing, but can’t handle riding a century in; I did both in these and felt great.
The shoe features a thin carbon outsole with a low stack height, which is reported to help transfer power from the shoe to the pedal. It's complemented with carbon woven throughout the shoe, which is intended to make the body of the shoe stiff and to help direct more power into the pedals.
A molded insole helps the shoe feel comfy—it improves with arch and heel support, breathability, and sweat wicking.
Mavic
The shoe uses a molded insole to help it feel comfortable.
Who It’s For The Cosmic Ultimate is designed for cyclists who are looking for a stiff, high-end road shoe that’s comfortable enough for long rides.
What We Liked The easily adjustable Mavic Ergo Dial really made the shoe for me. I first wore them on a 78-mile ride that covered over 6,000 feet of climbing on a day that ranged from comfortably chilly to just plain hot. I was so happy to be able to adjust my shoes as the day went on without having to fiddle with Velcro, buckles, or laces. Instead, when my feet started to feel tight, I could simply reach down and click the spinner a bit looser; when I felt the need to secure it more, it was just as easy.
Other shoes I own that have a Mavic Ergo Dial construction tend to crease and wrinkle at the top, where the anchors are mounted as the tightness of the cord pulls the shoe together day after day. It’s a little thing, but it makes the shoes appear worn long before their life cycle is over. That hasn’t happened yet with the Cosmics, and I believe that it’s due to the stiff frame, which is a like a carbon fiber support exoskeleton throughout the arch and front. It’s great for power transfer, but also seems to help with durability.
And speaking of power transfer, I was impressed with how stiff the Cosmics were. As a crit racer, every watt counts for me and I feel more secure with a solid base when pedaling. Whether I was putting power down in a sprint or spinning on an easy long ride, the Cosmic always felt stiff but never uncomfortable.
I’ve ridden these shoes in extreme heat, snow, and rain and have not seen any issues develop. The yellow color does seem to show dirt a little easier than other shoes I’ve worn, but that’s to be expected with such a bright shade. I’m notoriously messy, so cleaning them also wasn’t on the top of my priority list, but it’s easy to wipe off most of the everyday grime with just a little water and elbow grease. The Mavic yellow is super eye-catching, and in a sea of white and black, these babies sure stick out and garner lots of compliments. [If it’s not your jam, they also come in white.]
Mavic
The lines on the bottom of each shoe made it easy to align my cleats in the same position on each foot.
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Are Mavic cycling shoes any good?
Mavic Cosmic Boa Although the nylon/fibreglass soles are mid-rated for stiffness, we found them just fine on our rides. There are over 100 laser-cut vents in the uppers and two more vents in the soles to keep you cool. With super-clean lines, the Mavics look super-pro, particularly in white.
Are Mavic Cosmic wheels good?
The Mavic Cosmic SL 40 is a solid carbon rim-brake wheelset – it delivers good overall performance with the minimum of fuss. A particular highlight is the braking experience.
How much does a Mavic cosmic ultimate shoe weigh?
The Ultimates use an Atop dial and Ergo SL velcro straps to hold the foot in place. The dial and the straps are attached to the shoe via laces. These are strong and keeps the shoes weight down to a mere 460 grams a pair.
Where are Mavic carbon wheels made?
These wheels are designed, engineered and patented by Mavic in Annecy, France, and are 100% handmade in our European carbon factory.